1. The 'Kakatiya' dynasty ruled from which capital city in present-day Telangana?
Option C
The Kakatiya dynasty (c. 1163–1323 CE) ruled from Orugallu (modern Warangal) in Telangana. They built the famous Warangal Fort with its unique 'Ekashilaa' (single stone) gateways and the Thousand Pillar Temple. Their most famous ruler was Prataparudra II.
2. The 'Reddi' dynasty of coastal Andhra (14th century) is a late early medieval kingdom. Which famous temple city did they patronize?
Option B
The Reddi dynasty (c. 1325–1448 CE) ruled coastal Andhra after the Kakatiyas. They were patrons of the Srikalahasti temple (dedicated to Shiva as Vayu-linga) and the Lepakshi temple (Veerabhadra). Their kingdom was eventually absorbed by the Vijayanagara Empire.
3. The 'Mappila' Muslim community of Kerala traces its origins to Arab traders who settled during the early medieval period. Which port city was the center of this early Arab settlement?
Option B
Calicut (Kozhikode) was a major port on the Malabar coast from the 9th century onward. Arab traders married local women, giving rise to the Mappila Muslim community. The Zamorin rulers of Calicut (early medieval period) encouraged this trade, and the community grew significantly by the 12th–13th centuries.
4. The 'Lingayat' or 'Veerashaiva' movement, founded by Basavanna in the 12th century, emerged in the territory of which early medieval dynasty?
Option B
Basavanna (c. 1131–1167 CE) was a minister in the court of the Kalyani Chalukya king Bijjala II. He founded the Lingayat (Veerashaiva) movement, which rejected caste hierarchy and Vedic rituals, emphasizing devotion to Shiva as Ishtalinga. The movement's Vachana literature in Kannada is a key early medieval religious text.
5. The 'Jain' center at Shravanabelagola (Karnataka) contains the famous Gomateshwara statue. Which early medieval king built the 'Chandragupta Basadi' (temple) there?
Option B
The Chandragupta Basadi (10th century) at Shravanabelagola is attributed to the Ganga king Rachamalla (also called Rajamalla) and his minister Chamundaraya. It is named after Chandragupta Maurya, who according to Jain tradition, became a Jain monk and ended his life here.
6. The 'Dilwara' Jain temples at Mount Abu were built during the reign of which Solanki ruler?
Option C
The Dilwara temples were built between the 11th and 13th centuries. The Vimal Vasahi temple (1031 CE) was built by minister Vimal Shah under Bhimdev I. The Luna Vasahi temple (1230 CE) was built by minister Tejpal under Kumarapala. Both were Solanki rulers of Gujarat.
7. The 'Rashtrakuta' king Dantidurga performed a ritual called 'Hiranyagarbha' to claim Kshatriya status. What did this ritual involve?
Option B
The Hiranyagarbha (golden womb) ritual involved the king passing through a golden vessel, symbolizing rebirth as a Kshatriya. Dantidurga (founder of Rashtrakuta power) performed this ritual to legitimize his rule, as his dynasty may have had non-Kshatriya origins. This was a common early medieval practice for kings seeking higher ritual status.
Option B
The Hiranyagarbha (golden womb) ritual involved the king passing through a golden vessel, symbolizing rebirth as a Kshatriya. Dantidurga (founder of Rashtrakuta power) performed this ritual to legitimize his rule, as his dynasty may have had non-Kshatriya origins. This was a common early medieval practice for kings seeking higher ritual status.
8. The 'Jahaz Mahal' at Mandu (Madhya Pradesh) was built much later (15th century), but which early medieval dynasty originally fortified Mandu?
Option B
Mandu was originally the fort city of the Paramara dynasty (c. 9th–14th centuries), who ruled Malwa. Later, it was captured by the Delhi Sultanate and then by the Malwa Sultanate (who built the Jahaz Mahal). The early medieval fortifications and stepwells (bawadis) in Mandu date back to the Paramara period.
9. The 'Mughal' emperor Akbar's historian Abul Fazl mentioned the early medieval 'Chandella' dynasty as one of the 'Rajput' clans. However, the Chandellas originally had which title?
Option B
The Chandella inscriptions claim descent from the 'Lunar dynasty' (Chandravanshi) and a mythical sage 'Chandratreya'. They used the title 'Kshatriya' in their records. Abul Fazl's classification of them as 'Rajput' is a later (Mughal-era) categorization, reflecting how early medieval dynasties were retroactively labeled as Rajputs.
10. The 'Kalinga' style of temple architecture (Odisha) is represented by the 'Lingaraja Temple' (11th century). Which earlier temple in Bhubaneswar is considered the precursor of this style?
Option B
The Parasurameswara Temple (c. 650–700 CE) is the earliest surviving temple in Bhubaneswar and the first example of the Kalinga style. It features a tall 'deul' (sanctum tower) and a 'jagamohana' (assembly hall), establishing the basic Kalinga temple plan later perfected in the Lingaraja and Jagannath temples.
11. The 'Kakatiya' king Prataparudra II (c. 1289–1323 CE) was defeated by which Delhi Sultanate ruler?
Option B
Prataparudra II was defeated by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (c. 1321–1323 CE). The Tughlaq forces, led by Ulugh Khan (later Muhammad bin Tughlaq), captured Warangal. Prataparudra II committed suicide while being taken to Delhi, ending the Kakatiya dynasty.
12. The 'Pandya' dynasty's greatest early medieval ruler was Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I (c. 1251–1268 CE). Which famous temple did he renovate and expand?
Option C
Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan I was a great patron of the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai. He expanded the temple complex, built new gopurams, and contributed to its lavish ornamentation. He also defeated the Cholas and Hoysalas, making the Pandyas the dominant power in the South.
13. The 'Hoysala' king Vishnuvardhana (c. 1108–1152 CE) converted from Jainism to Vaishnavism under the influence of which saint-philosopher?
Option C
Ramanujacharya (c. 1017–1137 CE), the Vaishnava philosopher, visited Hoysala territory and influenced King Vishnuvardhana. The king converted from Jainism to Sri Vaishnavism and built the Chennakeshava Temple at Belur as a Vaishnava monument.
14. The 'Yadava' king Ramachandra (c. 1271–1311 CE) initially resisted the Delhi Sultanate but later became a vassal. Who was the Delhi Sultan who forced his submission?
Option C
Malik Kafur, the general of Alauddin Khalji, led campaigns into the Deccan (1308–1310 CE). He defeated the Yadava king Ramachandra, who accepted vassalage and paid tribute. Later, after Alauddin's death, Ramachandra's son tried to rebel but was crushed by Malik Kafur.
15. The 'Veerashaiva' movement's literature, known as 'Vachanas', was written in which language?
Option B
Vachanas (literally 'sayings/prose poems') were composed in Kannada by Basavanna, Allama Prabhu, Akka Mahadevi, and other Lingayat saints. These simple, direct compositions rejected Sanskrit elitism and made religious ideas accessible to common people.
16. The 'Kalyani Chalukya' king Someshvara III (c. 1126–1138 CE) wrote an encyclopedic work covering topics like politics, elephants, architecture, and erotic arts. What is this text called?
Option B
The 'Manasollasa' (also called 'Abhilashitartha Chintamani') is a Sanskrit encyclopedia written by Someshvara III. It covers 100 chapters on topics including cuisine, poetry, gambling, elephant care, horses, medicine, and even recipes for pan (betel leaf). It is a valuable source for early medieval social and cultural history.
17. The 'Sun Temple at Konark' was built by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. Which solar deity's chariot does the temple represent?
Option C
The Konark Sun Temple (c. 1250 CE) is designed as a colossal chariot of the Sun God Surya. It has 12 pairs of stone wheels (24 total) representing the months and hours, and is pulled by 7 horses (the days of the week).
18. The 'Martand Sun Temple' in Kashmir was built by Lalitaditya Muktapida. Which architectural style does it represent?
Option C
The Martand Sun Temple (mid-8th century) represents a distinct Kashmiri architectural style, influenced by Gandhara (Greek-Roman features), Gupta (curved shikhara), and local Kashmiri elements (triangular pediments, colonnades). It features a peristyle courtyard with 84 pillars, unique to Kashmir.
19. The 'Pratihara' king Nagabhata II defeated which powerful Rashtrakuta ruler at the Battle of Mewar?
Option C
Nagabhata II (c. 793–833 CE) defeated Amoghavarsha I in the Battle of Mewar, though some accounts mention Govinda III. Historical evidence suggests that the Rashtrakuta king at that time was Govinda III, who later recovered. The Pratiharas then captured Kannauj from the Palas. This shifting control illustrates the fluidity of the Tripartite Struggle.
20. The 'Jain' Acharya Hemachandra (12th century) was a celebrated scholar in the court of which Solanki ruler?
Option B
Hemachandra (c. 1088–1172 CE) was a Jain scholar, poet, and polymath in the court of Jayasimha Siddharaja (c. 1094–1143 CE) and later Kumarapala. He wrote the 'Dvyashraya Kavya' (a history of the Solankis), 'Siddhahemashabdanushasana' (grammar), and the 'Yogashastra'. He influenced Kumarapala to adopt Jainism.
21. The 'Rashtrakuta' king Indra III (c. 914–929 CE) sacked which Pratihara capital, dealing a severe blow to their power?
Option B
Indra III launched a successful campaign against the Pratihara king Mahipala I and sacked Kannauj (c. 916 CE). This event significantly weakened the Pratiharas, hastening their decline and allowing the rise of other dynasties like the Paramaras, Chandellas, and Kalachuris.
22. The 'Kakatiya' queen Rudramadevi (c. 1262–1289 CE) is one of the few female rulers in early medieval India. In whose name did she initially rule?
Option B
Rudramadevi (also known as Rani Rudrama) succeeded her father Ganapati-deva. To maintain patriarchal legitimacy, some inscriptions and coins refer to her as 'Rudradeva Maharaja'. She faced rebellions from nobles who resented female rule but successfully crushed them. She is portrayed in literature as a capable warrior-queen.
23. The 'Yadava' king Singhana II (c. 1200–1247 CE) is known for his victory over the Hoysalas at the Battle of Donur. Which famous Hoysala king did he defeat?
Option B
Singhana II defeated Narasimha II (also called Narasinga) of the Hoysala dynasty at the Battle of Donur (c. 1200 CE). This victory established Yadava dominance in the Deccan for a period, though the Hoysalas recovered later. The Yadavas and Hoysalas were constant rivals.
24. The 'Eastern Ganga' king Anantavarman Chodaganga (c. 1078–1147 CE) built the famous 'Jagannath Temple' at Puri in its current form. Which style of architecture does this temple represent?
Option C
The Jagannath Temple (current structure c. 12th century) is a classic example of the Kalinga style of temple architecture, characterized by a tall curvilinear 'deul' (sanctum tower) and a pyramidal 'jagamohana' (assembly hall). The Kalinga style is considered a regional variant of the northern Nagara style.
25. The 'Kalahandi' region of Odisha was ruled by the early medieval 'Nagas' (Naga dynasty). Which famous temple complex did they patronize?
Option B
The Manikeshwari Temple (Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi, Odisha) was patronized by the Nagas of Kalahandi. It is dedicated to Goddess Manikeshwari, a form of Durga. The Nagas ruled from the 11th to 14th centuries before being absorbed into the Eastern Ganga kingdom.
26. The 'Kashmir' king Harsha (of the Lohara dynasty, c. 1089–1101 CE) is known for plundering temples for revenue. Which famous temple did he loot, leading to widespread condemnation?
Option B
King Harsha of Kashmir (different from Harshavardhana) is described in Kalhana's Rajatarangini as a tyrannical ruler who melted down golden idols from the temple of Shankaracharya (Jyeshteswara) to finance his army. This was considered sacrilegious and led to his unpopularity and eventual death.
27. The 'Gahadavala' king Chandradeva (c. 1089–1103 CE) was the founder of the dynasty. From which earlier power did he wrest control of Kannauj?
Option C
Chandradeva established Gahadavala control over Kannauj by defeating the Kalachuris of Tripuri, who had taken control after the decline of the Pratiharas. He was a devout Vaishnava and patronized religious institutions at Varanasi and Bodh Gaya.
28. The 'Bhati' dynasty (of the Rao family) ruled in Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) from the 12th century onward. Which famous fort did they build?
Option C
Rao Jaisal, a Bhati Rajput ruler, founded Jaisalmer and built the Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Quila, 'Golden Fort') in 1156 CE. The fort is one of the largest fully preserved fortified cities in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as part of 'Hill Forts of Rajasthan').
29. The 'Tomara' king Anangpal II (c. 1051–1081 CE) is credited with founding the city of 'Lal Kot', which later became part of Delhi. Which Chahamana ruler captured Lal Kot from the Tomaras?
Option B
Vigraharaja IV (also known as Visaldev, c. 1150–1164 CE) of the Chahamana (Chauhan) dynasty captured Lal Kot from the Tomaras. He expanded the fort and renamed it 'Qila Rai Pithora'. Later, Prithviraj III inherited this city and fought Muhammad Ghori there.
30. The 'Mankani' inscription (present-day Pakistan) of the early medieval period records the construction of a Shiva temple by a local chief under which powerful northern dynasty?
Option C
The Mankani inscription (c. 9th-10th century, from the Salt Range) records a Shiva temple built during the reign of the Hindu Shahi dynasty (c. 850–1026 CE). The Hindu Shahis ruled the Kabul Valley and Gandhara, resisting Ghaznavid invasions. They were patrons of Shaivism and Buddhism.
31. The 'Jain tradition' records that the 'Shravanabelagola' statue of Gomateshwara (Bahubali) was consecrated in 981 CE. Which Ganga king was ruling at that time?
Option C
The Gomateshwara statue was consecrated in 981 CE under the patronage of Ganga king Rachamalla IV (also called Rajamalla IV). His minister Chamundaraya was the direct executor. This event is recorded in inscriptions at Shravanabelagola.
32. The 'Pala' king Devapala's 'Monghyr copper plate' mentions a grant to a Brahmin named Vateshvara. What unique feature does this plate have regarding the king's family?
Option C
The Monghyr plate (also called Munger plate) of Devapala (9th century) records that his mother Bhagavati (also known as Vajraditya's queen) played an influential role. Devapala mentions her with respect, indicating royal women often held significant political influence in early medieval Bengal, though patriarchy dominated official records.
33. The 'Kashmir' king Kalasha (c. 1063–1089 CE) of the Lohara dynasty attempted to impose a state religion. Which religion did he try to enforce, causing a rebellion?
Option B
According to Kalhana's Rajatarangini, King Kalasha persecuted Buddhists, expelled monks, closed monasteries (viharas), and forced conversions to Shaivism. This led to a rebellion by the Buddhist community, weakening his rule. This reflects religious tensions in early medieval Kashmir.
34. The 'Gahadavala' king Govindachandra (c. 1114–1155 CE) is known for his legal and administrative reforms. What was the 'Niyoga' system he regulated?
Option C
'Niyoga' was an ancient practice where a childless widow could have a son by her husband's brother or a close relative. Govindachandra's inscriptions and the legal digest 'Krityakalpataru' regulated this practice, requiring royal permission. This reflects early medieval legal developments regarding inheritance and lineage.
35. The 'Hoysala' king Vira Ballala III (c. 1292–1342 CE) was the last great Hoysala ruler. Where did he shift his capital for better defense against the Delhi Sultanate?
Option C
Vira Ballala III shifted his capital from Halebidu to Tiruvannamalai after Delhi Sultanate invasions under Malik Kafur. He later allied with the Kakatiyas and Pandyas to resist the Sultanate but was eventually captured and killed by the Madurai Sultanate forces in 1342 CE, marking the end of the Hoysala dynasty.
36. The 'Arabs' invaded Sindh under Muhammad bin Qasim in 712 CE. Which early medieval dynasty was ruling Sindh at that time?
Option B
In 712 CE, Sindh was ruled by the Brahman dynasty, with King Dahir (Raja Dahir) as the last ruler. Muhammad bin Qasim defeated Dahir at the Battle of Aror, establishing Arab rule in Sindh. This was the first substantial Muslim conquest in the Indian subcontinent.
37. The 'Rashtrakuta' king Krishna III (c. 939–967 CE) defeated the Cholas at the Battle of Takkolam (949 CE). Which Chola king was killed in this battle?
Option C
The Battle of Takkolam (949 CE) was a decisive victory for Krishna III over the Cholas. Rajaditya, the eldest son and heir-apparent of Chola king Parantaka I, was killed on the battlefield. This allowed Rashtrakuta expansion into the Tamil country for a brief period.
38. The 'Pala' king Mahipala I (c. 988–1038 CE) was the contemporary of Rajendra Chola I. Which Chola inscription mentions the defeat of Mahipala I?
Option B
Rajendra Chola I's 'Tirumalai inscription' (also called the Larger Chola inscription or Karandai plates) records his northern expedition, including the defeat of Mahipala I of Bengal. He assumed the title 'Gangaikonda Chola' and built a new capital after this victory.
39. The 'Kakatiya' king Ganapati-deva (c. 1199–1262 CE) is known for his administrative innovations, including giving greater autonomy to 'Nayakas'. What was the term for the territory granted to a military commander?
Option C
'Nayankara' was the land grant given to a Nayaka (military commander) in return for military service. It was non-hereditary during the Kakatiya period, unlike the later Vijayanagara 'Nayakatara' system. Ganapati-deva's reforms helped manage a large kingdom with local military leadership.
40. The 'Kalachuri' king Yashahkarna (c. 1070–1110 CE) was a patron of literature. Which Sanskrit poet wrote 'Navasahasanka Charita' (a biography of Yashahkarna's father) under his patronage?
Option B
Padmagupta (c. 11th century) was the court poet of the Kalachuri king Yashahkarna. He wrote 'Navasahasanka Charita', a kavya in 18 cantos, celebrating the life and achievements of Yashahkarna's father, Lakshmanaraja (also called Sahasanka). It is an important source for Kalachuri history.
41. The 'Chahamana' (Chauhan) king Prithviraj III is the hero of the epic poem 'Prithviraj Raso' by Chand Bardai. Why do historians consider this poem unreliable for political history?
Option C
The Prithviraj Raso is a medieval epic, not a contemporary biography. It was orally transmitted and written down centuries later, mixing historical figures with folklore. It describes Prithviraj shooting Ghori with a 'shabdabhedi' arrow (guided by sound) after being blinded — a legendary motif. Historians use it cautiously, corroborating with inscriptions and Persian chronicles.
42. The 'Kashmir' chronicler Kalhana (12th century) in his 'Rajatarangini' criticizes King Harsha (Lohara dynasty) for his policy of 'devaswam' pasture lands. What was 'devaswam'?
Option B
Kalhana condemns Harsha of Kashmir for seizing 'devaswam' (temple-owned lands and pastures) to fill his depleted treasury. This was considered sacrilegious in early medieval Brahmanical ideology. The criticism reflects the growing importance of temple-based economies and the tension between royal revenue needs and religious institutions.
43. The 'Eastern Ganga' king Anangabhima III (c. 1211–1238 CE) issued a famous proclamation that the ruler is the 'deputy of Purushottama' (Jagannath). What is the significance of this for Hindu kingship ideology?
Option B
Anangabhima III's proclamation shifted the ideology of kingship from 'divine king' (as in ancient India) to 'king as servant/representative of the deity' (Purushottama/Jagannath). This 'Seva' (service) model became central to Odisha's Gajapati kings and influenced later Bhakti-oriented kingship.
44. The 'Sena' king Lakshmana Sena (c. 1178–1206 CE) was a great patron of literature. Which Sanskrit poet's work 'Gita Govinda' was composed in his court?
Option C
Jayadeva (late 12th century) was a court poet of Lakshmana Sena of Bengal. His 'Gita Govinda', written in Sanskrit, revolutionized devotional poetry, celebrating the love of Radha and Krishna. It became a foundational text for the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition and influenced Bhakti movements across India.
45. The 'Bilhari inscription' of the Kalachuris (c. 10th century) mentions the custom of 'Swayamvara' (self-choice of groom) among royal women. By the early medieval period, this practice had largely declined. What replaced it among most ruling clans?
Option B
By early medieval times, 'Swayamvara' became rare. Political alliances through arranged marriages, hypergamy (marrying into higher status clans), and even the 'Rakshasa' form (abduction or capture) became common among Rajput and other ruling clans. This reflected the need for military alliances and the 'feudal' nature of politics.
46. The 'Rashtrakuta' city 'Manyakheta' (Malkhed) has been excavated by archaeologists. Which famous medieval Kannada poet described its splendor as 'the best city in the world'?
Option B
The Kannada poet Ranna (10th century), who lived in the Rashtrakuta and later Kalyani Chalukya courts, praised Manyakheta in his works. He described it as a prosperous city with fine buildings, gardens, and a cosmopolitan population, reflecting the Rashtrakuta capital's glory.
47. The 'Kashmir' ruler Ujjayala (Lohara dynasty, 12th century) was a queen regent. Which unique administrative practice did she adopt to avoid misrule by feudal lords?
Option B
Kalhana records that Queen Ujjayala (regent for her son) used women attendants and eunuchs in key administrative posts to reduce the power of feudal lords. This unusual measure highlights the challenges of female rule in a patriarchal early medieval polity and the lengths to which regents went to secure their position.
48. The 'Pratihara' king Bhoja II (c. 910–913 CE) had a short reign. Who usurped the throne of Kannauj after the decline of the Pratiharas, leading to the city's fragmentation?
Option B
After the Rashtrakuta sack of Kannauj under Indra III, the Pratiharas never fully recovered. By the 10th century, their feudatories — Paramaras, Chandellas, Kalachuris of Tripuri — declared independence, and the Kalachuris briefly captured Kannauj. This fragmentation is a classic example of the 'segmentary state' model in early medieval India.
49. The 'Rashtrakuta' king Amoghavarsha I's 'Kavirajamarga' is the earliest extant text on Kannada poetry. What is the significance of its name, 'Kavirajamarga'?
Option B
'Kavirajamarga' (literally 'Royal Path of Poets') is a work on Kannada poetics, grammar, and literary conventions. It shows that by the 9th century, Kannada had a sophisticated literary tradition with influences from Sanskrit poetics. It was based on earlier Sanskrit works but adapted to the Kannada context, proving the maturity of regional languages in early medieval India.
50. Critically, the 'Ghaznavid' invasions under Mahmud of Ghazni (c. 1000-1025 CE) are often described as 'religious' raids. Why do modern historians argue this is an oversimplification?
Option B
Modern historians (e.g., Romila Thapar, Richard M. Eaton) argue that Mahmud's invasions were primarily economic and political, not religious crusades. He needed wealth to secure Ghaznavid power against Central Asian rivals. He attacked both Hindu and Islamic (Isma'ili Shi'ite) targets. The 'religious war' framing was magnified by later chroniclers to legitimize Mahmud as a champion of Sunni Islam. This nuanced view is essential for UPSC-level analysis.