[Mission 2024] STATIC QUIZ, 29 June 2023 – Ancient and Medieval India

Solution: a)

Only statement 1 is correct.

The revenue system of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was based on that of Malik Amber of Ahmednagar. The measuring rod (lathi) was used for measuring land. Lands were also classified into three categories – paddy fields, garden lands and hilly tracts. He appointed his own revenue officials called Karkuns and reduced the powers of the existing Kulkarnis and Deshmukhs.

Chauth and sardeshmukhi were the two major sources of revenue that were collected in the neighbouring territories of the Mughal empire or Deccan Sultanates (and not in the Maratha kingdom).

Solution: c)

Marathas lost suzerainty over Panipat and areas south of Panipat including Delhi to the Durranis. Ahmad Shah Durrani vacates Delhi soon after the battle. The force was accompanied by 500,000 non-combatants (pilgrims and camp-followers). 5,000 Afghans killed. The result of the battle was the halting of further Maratha advances in the north, and a destabilization of their territories, for roughly 10 years.

The Third Battle of Panipat altered the power equations in India but not necessarily in a predictable manner. The victorious Afghans could hardly make any further inroads into India and were even pushed out of Punjab by the Sikhs.

Bipin Chandra writes: The Maratha defeat at Panipat was a disaster for them. They lost the cream of their army and their political prestige suffered a big blow. Most of all, their defeat gave an opportunity to the English East India Company to consolidate its power in Bengal and south India.

Nor did the Afghans benefit from their victory … In fact, the (battle] did not decide who was to rule India but rather who was not. The way was, therefore, cleared for the rise of the British power in India.”

Solution: b)

Society was well-organized in the Vijayanagara Empire. Women were respected in the society. They were educated and were absorbed in government services. They were trained not only in fine arts like music, dance, painting, etc. but also in fighting, wrestling and weapons of war. Women, therefore, were employed as bodyguards as well. Many scholarly women were patronized by the court. It was the only empire in medieval India which employed women in the state service.

Solution: b)

Statement 2 is incorrect.

• Hoysalas were feudatories of chalukyas of Kalyana.
• Dwarasamudra(Halebeedu) was their capital.
• Sala was the founder of this dynasty.
• Vishnuvardhana (Bittideva) was greatest in Hoysala dynasty.
• He completely routed Cholas from Gangavadi in battle of Talakadu, for this he got the title Talkadugonda.
• In commemoration of this victory he built kirtinarayana temple at Talakadu and Chennakesavar temple at Beluru.

Solution: b)

Statement 3 is incorrect.

The Bahmani Sultanate was a Muslim state of the Deccan in South India and one of the great medieval Indian kingdoms. It was the first independent Islamic Kingdom in South India.

Some members of the dynasty became well-versed in Persian language and composed its literature in Persian language.

The craftspersons of Bidar then were so famed for their inlay work on copper and silver that it came to be known as Bidri.

The most important step taken by Ahmad Shah was the induction of Hindus in the administration on a large scale.