Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is Coin.

Key Points

• Indo-Sasanian coinage was major type of coinage of the post-Gupta Empire period, in the areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan in western India and in the Gangetic region, from the 6^th century to the 12^th century CE.
• These coins were derived from the Sasanian coinage design, probably transmitted to the subcontinent by the Alchon Huns as they invaded northern India circa 500 CE.
• They are an important component of Indian coinage.
• This coinage was current among the various polities of Western India succeeding the collapse of the Gupta Empire, such as the Rashtrakuta, Chaulukya and Palas from circa 530 CE to 1202 CE.
• In the case of the Chaulukyas, these are also often called "Gadhaiya Paise".

The correct answer is the Chera dynasty.

Key Points

Chera Dynasty

• ​The Chera dynasty was one of the most important dynasties in Kerala's early history, as well as areas of Tamil Nadu in southern India.
• The Founder of the Chera dynasty was Uthiyan Cheralathan also called Udiyangeral.
• The greatest of Chera kings, however, was Senguttuvan or Red Chera. It is said that he invaded the north and even crossed the Ganges.
• He was also the founder of the Pattini cult related to the worship of the Goddess of chastity - Kannagi.
• The capital of Cheras was Vanjji.

The correct answer is Krishna-Ist.

Key Points

Kailas Temple of Ellora

• Cave 16 is well known as the Kailash or Rang Mahal.
• It is a great monolithic temple.
• The final type of Brahmanical rock-cut architecture consists of one example only, the Kailash (Siva's Paradise) at Ellora.
• It is isolated from the surrounding rock and carved both on the outside and inside.
• It is one of the most spectacular and awesome accomplishments of the multifaceted Raśtrakuta kings in India.
• Krishna I was mainly responsible for getting excavated the famous Kailaśa cave at Ellora and it was again he who had adorned the Great Śivalinga enshrined therein with gold and jewel ornaments.
• It is believed that the abode of Lord Shiva is in Mount Kailaśa, so great care has been taken in carving the temple as a unique and apparently divine in beauty and grandeur. The Kailaśa temple as the name suggests is dedicated to Śiva as the Lord of mount Kailaśa. The temple has a Śivalinga in its sanctum sanctorum.

The correct answer is Emergency Tax.

Key Points

• Pranaya meant a gift of affection, pranaya was a levy imposed by the state during emergency periods.
• Though first mentioned by Panini, it was elaborated upon for the first time in Arthashastra.
• Pranaya amounted to one­third or one-fourth of the produce according to the nature of the soil.

Additional Information

Land Revenues from Rural Areas:

• ​Land Revenues from Rural Areas Land revenues from the rural areas were appropriated in the form of crown lands (Sita), land revenue (Bhaga) from cultivators, taxes on orchards, ferry charges, etc.

Different types of taxes imposed on the rural population are as follows:

• Bhaga was the main item of revenue which was levied at the rate of one-fourth to one-sixth. Sharecroppers, who were given crown lands and other agricultural support by the state, had to pay half of the produce to the state.
• Pindikara was a tax assessed on groups of villages and paid by husbandmen. This was customary in nature. Often the villages were supposed to supply provisions to the royal army when the latter passed through their respective territories.
• Hiranya It was probably a tax paid in cash.
• Bali is a levy known from the Vedic times, Bali continued under the Mauryas.

The correct answer is Govind-III^rd.

Key Points

Govind III (c.793−814 CE)

• Son of Dhruva, who took the Rashtrakutas to greater heights.
• He emerged victorious at the Tripartite Struggle.
• He defeated Pratihara ruler Nagabhatta-II

Additional Information 

Rashtrakuta

• Rashtrakutas meaning ‘the chief of a Rashtra’, are considered as the feudatory of the Chalukyas.
• Their capital city was  Manyakheta or Malkhed near Solapur which is in present-day Maharashtra.
• Rashtrakuta fought constantly against the eastern Chalukyas of Vengi and Pallavas of Kanchi and Pandya of Madurai.
• They were tolerant in their religious views and patronized Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Jainism.
• Krishna III was the last great ruler of Rashtrakutas. In 972 CE, the Capital city was burnt to ashes. This marks the end of Rashtrakutas.

The correct answer is Malik Kafur.

• He was also known as 'Hazar Dinari' because he was purchased by the Sultan for 1000 Dinars from Nusrat khan.

Key Points

Malik Kafoor

• Malik Kafoor was a famous slave of Allauddin Khilji.
• He was also a general in the army of Alauddin Khilji.
• He was initially a slave and rose to the rank of general because of the exceptional favours he got.
• He was also known as the 'Evil Genius of the Sultan'.

The correct asnwer is Malik Altunia.

Key Points

Malik Ikhtiyar-ud-din Altunia

• He was the governor of Bhatinda in India under the rule of the Delhi Sultanate under the Mamluk dynasty.
• He was the husband of Razia Sultana.
• After Iltutmish sat in the throne in 1210 or 1211 AD, he found himself in a crisis situation.
• Nasiruddin Kubacha established independence in Sindh and it seemed that he wanted to establish his authority over Punjab too.
• Ali Mardan Khan was an Iranian Kurdish military leader and administrator, serving under the Safavid kings Shah Abbas I and Shah Safi, and later the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan. He was the son of Ganj Ali Khan.
• Tajuddin Yaldus, who had given authority over Ghazni, still had his old claim of dominion over the Indian territories of Muhammad.

The correct answer is Yakshagaan.

Key Points

Yakshagaana

• In the 17^th century, the dance form was conceived by Siddhendra Yogi.
• It was patronized by Vijayanagar and Golconda rulers.
• The stories of Bhagavat Purana became a central theme of the recitals.
• It is performed as a dance drama. It means it is performed not only in groups but also as solo ones.
• Costumes, ornaments, and jewellery have an important place in this particular dance form.
• It is accompanied by Carnatic music.

Additional Information

• Yakshagana is a traditional theatre, developed in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shimoga and western parts of Chikmagalur districts, in the state of Karnataka and in Kasaragod district in Kerala that combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up, and stage techniques with a unique style and form.

The correct answer is Amir Khusrau.

Key Points 

Abul Hasan Yamin Ud-Din Khusrau (1253-1325)

• Better known as Amir Khusrau, was a Sufi musician, poet and scholar from the Indian sub-continent. He was an iconic figure in cultural history.
• He was a mystic and a spiritual disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi.
• He wrote poetry primarily in Persian, but also in Hindavi.
• Khusrau is sometimes referred to as the "Parrot of India" (Tuti-e-Hind).
• Khusrau wrote the Khazain-Ul-Futuh (The Treasures of Victory) recording Alauddin Khalji's conquests in the South.
• He also mentions Alauddin's construction works, wars and administrative services.
• He then composed a Khamsa (quintet) with five masnavis, known as Khamsa-e-Khusrow (Khamsa of Khusrow), completing it in 1298.
• Two historical poems for which he is well known are Nuh Sipihr (“The Nine Heavens”) and the Tughluq-nāmah (“The Book of Tughluq”).

The correct answer is Mahabat Khan.

Key Points

• Nur Jahan formed a group of her family members known as 'JUNTA' .
• This JUNTA included Nur Jahan, her father Mirza Gayas Beigh, her brother Asaf Khan, Itimad-ud-daulah  and prince Khurram.

Additional Information

Junta:

• Some modern historians are of the opinion that Nur Jahan formed this group named Junta.
• Nur Jahan formed this group along with her Father Itmad-ud-daulah and brother Asaf Khan.
• The motive of the Junta was to influence the emperor Jahangir politically. .
• This act created a politically influential position for the Junta so that without its backing and support no one could advance in their careers.
• This is one of the reasons why Shahjahan rebelled against his father in 1622.
• According to Shahjahan, Jahangir made his all decisions completely under the influence of Nur Jahan which he did not like.
• This led to the division of the court into two factions:
• ○ The Nur Jahan’s Junta
• ○ Opponents including Shahjahan.
• Under Akbar’s administration, there were two courts:
• Court of discussing common subjects called as ‘Diwan-i-Am’.
• Court of discussing specific subjects called ‘Diwan-i-Khas’.