1.The historical importance of ‘Mahanavami Dibba’ is associated with which of the following dynasty?
A. Chauhan
B. Chola
C. Vijayanagar
D. Pandya
Solution
The correct answer is Vijayanagara.
Key Points
- The Mahanavami Dibba was the King’s palace in Vijayanagara Empire though there is no definite evidence.
- Mahanavami Dibba is a massive platform rising from a base of about 11,000 sq. ft to a height of 40 ft.
- The Mahanavami Dibba was located on one of the highest points in the city.
- There is evidence that it supported a wooden structure.
- The base of the platform is covered with relief carvings
- Many rituals were associated with the Mahanavami Dibba.
- Here the Hindu Festival Mahanavami or Navaratri was celebrated with great pomp and show in the months of September-October.
- This festival continued for 9 days.
- On this occasion several ceremonies were performed this including:
- Worship of the different gods and goddesses.
- Worship of the state horse.
- The sacrifice of buffaloes and other animals.
- The main attraction of this occasion were dance, Wrestling matches processions of horses, elephants, chariots, and soldiers.
Additional Information
- In the Vijayanagara Empire The “king’s palace” is the largest of the enclosures.
- It has two of the most impressive platforms, usually called the Audience hall and the Mahanavami Dibba.
- The Audience Hall is a high platform with slots for wooden pillars at close and regular intervals.
- It had a staircase going up to the second floor, which rested on these pillars.
- The pillars being closely spaced would have left little free space, and thus it is not clear what the hall was used for.
2. The Bahamani Sultanate was founded by which of the following leaders?
A. Mahmud Gavan
B. Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah
C. Muhammmad Shah
D. Mohammad bin Tughlaq
Solution
The correct answer is Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah.
Key Points
- The Bahmani Sultanate, or the Bahmani empire, was established in 1347 by a Turkish general named Alauddin Bahman Shah.
- He had revolted against Mohammed bin Tughlaq of the Delhi Sultanate.
- Bahman Shah made Kalaburgi (or Gulbarga) his capital in Karnataka.
- He set up an empire that would rule the Deccan for nearly 200 years.
- The Kingdom later split into five successor states that were collectively known as the Deccan sultanates.
Additional Information
- Mahmud Gavan
- He was the prime minister of Muhammad Shah Bahmani II.
- He was given the title of Malik-ul-Tujjar.
- He opened several Madarsas for Islamic learning in Bidar.
- Muhammmad Shah
- Muhammad Shah was given the title of ‘Rangeela’ due to his luxurious life-style.
- In 1739, Nadir Shah defeated the Mughals in the Battle of Karnal and later imprisoned Muhammad Shah and annexed areas west of the Indus into the Persian empire.
- Muhammad Shah ruled from year 1719 to 1748.
- Mohammad bin Tughlaq
- Muhammad bin Tughluq was the Sultan of Delhi from 1325 to 1351.
- He was the eldest son of Ghiyas -ud -Din -Tughlaq, the founder of the Tughluq dynasty.
- Ibn Battuta, the famous traveller, and jurist from Morocco was a guest at his court and wrote about his empire in his book.
3. In which state of India did the Manikya dynasty rule?
A. Gujarat
B. Rajasthan
C. Manipur
D. Tripura
Solution
The correct answer is Tripura.
Key Points
- The former princely state of Tripura in the north-eastern part of India was ruled by Manikya dynasty.
- Ratna Fa was the 145th king of Twipra and he was the first to assume the title Manikya and as such can be considered the founder of the Manikya dynasty.
- The first king of Twipra is Chandra, the moon himself but the list of historical begins with Ratna Fa only.
Additional Information
- Tripura:
- Agartala is the capital of Tripura.
- It is bordered by Bangladesh, Mizoram, and Assam.
4. Bahmani Monuments at Gulbarga, Karnataka represent ________ style of architecture.
A. Deccan
B. Mameluke
C. Sikh
D. Nagara
Solution
The correct answer is Deccan.
Key Points
- The Bahmani monuments at Gulbarga, Karnataka, predominantly represent the Deccan style of architecture.
- The Deccan style was prominent during the period of the Bahmani Sultanate which existed from 1347 to 1527 in the Deccan region.
- This architectural style incorporates elements from Persian and local Deccan architecture, illustrating the diverse influences of that era.
- Gulbarga, the first capital of the Bahmani Sultanate, houses many important monuments such as the Gulbarga fort and the Jama Masjid within it, which are prime examples of the Deccan architectural style.
- The Deccan style can be seen in the simplicity of design, use of arches, and distinct decorative elements.
Additional Information
- Mameluke: This style pertains to the Mamluk Sultanate (Cairo), known for its architectural and cultural contributions, particularly in Egypt and the Levant. However, it is not directly connected to the Bahmani Sultanate.
- Sikh: Sikh architecture, known for its unique blend of Islamic and Hindu elements, primarily pertains to Sikh religious structures. It’s not related to the Bahmani architectural style.
- Nagara: The Nagara style is a traditional Hindu architectural style that originated in northern India. It is characterized by beehive-shaped towers (shikharas) made up of layered horizontal sections, but is not associated with the Bahmani Sultanate’s architectural style.
5. Krishnadevaraya, who reigned over Vijayanagar from 1509 to 1529, belonged to the:
A. Saluva dynasty
B. Tuluva dynasty
C. Sangama dynasty
D. Aravidu dynasty
Solution
The correct answer is Tuluva dynasty.
Key Points
- Sri Krishnadeva Raya was the most illustrious king of the Vijayanagar Empire.
- He belonged to the Taluva dynasty.
- When he ascended the throne in 1509, the affair of the Empire was in a gloomy state.
- The sultan of Bijapur and the rulers of Orissa were a constant threat to the empire.
- He defeated the combined Muslim forces of Deccan Sultanates and captured Raichur Doab in 1512 AD.
- He maintained friendly relations with the Portuguese.
- Besides being a great warrior, he was an able administrator and a liberal patron of art and literature.
Additional Information
- Saluva Dynasty:
- This dynasty’s rulers were the rulers of northern Karnataka in modern India.
- This dynasty was ruled by three kings from 1485 to 1505.
- Saluva Narasimha
- Thimma Bhupala
- Narasimha Raya II
- Sangama Dynasty:
- The Sangama dynasty was a dynasty of the Vijayanagara Empire founded in the 14th century by two brothers: Harihara I and Bukka Raya I.
- Aravidu Dynasty:
- It was the fourth and last Hindu dynasty, of Telugu language and origin, which ruled the Vijayanagar Empire in South India.
6. Which battle led to the destruction of the Vijayanagara empire?
A. Battle of Raichur
B. Battle of Haldighati
C. Battle of Talikota
D. Battle of Arcot
Solution
The correct answer is the Battle of Talikota.
Key Points
- The Battle of Talikota (26 January 1565) was a watershed battle fought between the Vijayanagara Empire and the Deccan sultanates.
- It ended in the defeat of Vijayanagara, resulting in its subsequent weakening.
Additional Information
- The Vijayanagar empire was established in the year 1336.
- It was founded by Harihara and Bukka of the Sanga1336 AD to 1672 AD.ma dynasty.
- Four Dynasties – Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu ruled from Vijayanagara.
- Sri Ranga III was the last ruler of the Vijayanagar Empire (1642-1672).
- The Saluva dynasty was founded by Saluva Narasimha.
- Tuluva dynasty was founded by Tuluva Narasa Nayaka.
- Krishnadeva Raya belonged to the Tuluva dynasty.
7. The Battle of Chandawar was fought between Mohammad Ghori and Jaichand of Kannauj of the ______ dynasty.
A. Gahadavala
B. Bactrian
C. Gupta
D. Chauhan
Solution
The correct answer is Gahadavala.
Key Points
- In the battle of Chandawar (1194 CE) King Jaichand was defeated by Muhammad Gori.
- The present geographical location of Chandawar is Etawah district in U.P. at the bank of river Yamuna.
- King Jai Chand was defeated by Muhammad Ghori in the Battle of Chandawar.
- The Battle of Chandwar took place between 1193 and 1194 CE.
Additional Information
- The Gahadavala dynasty also Gahadavalas of Khanauj, were among the rulers of the Indian subcontinent, that ruled parts of the present-day Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, during 11th and 12th centuries.
- Their capital was located at Varanasi in the Gangetic plains, and for a brief period, they also controlled Kanyakubja (modern Kannauj).
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8. The Muttaraiyar held power in the Kaveri delta. They were subordinate to the Pallava kings of _______.
A. Makotai
B. Kanchipuram
C. Thanjavur
D. Arikamedu
Solution
The correct answer is Kanchipuram.
Key Points
- The Muttaraiyar were a feudal dynasty that held power in the Kaveri delta region.
- They were subservient to the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram, who were a prominent dynasty in southern India during the 6th-9th centuries CE.
- The Pallavas were known for their patronage of the arts and architecture, and their rule saw the emergence of some of the most iconic temples in southern India.
Additional Information
- Cholas were prominent in the 9th century.
- The founder of the early medieval Chola dynasty of Tanjore was Vijayalaya.
- Vijayalaya captured the Kaveri delta from Muttaraiyar in the middle of the 9th century.
- He established his power in the area around Uraiyur, captured Tanjore and extended his kingdom along the lower Kaveri.
- He also built the town of Thanjavur and a temple for goddess Nishumbhasudini there.
9. Vijayanagara empire was founded in which of the following years?
A. 1210
B. 1315
C. 1336
D. 1368
Solution
The correct answer is 1336.
Key Points
- The Vijayanagara empire was established in 1336 by Harihara I and his brother Bukka Raya I.
- The empire was destroyed in the Battle of Talikota in 1565.
- The ruins at Hampi were brought to light in 1800 by an engineer and antiquarian named Colonel Colin Mackenzie.
- An employee of the English East India Company, he prepared the first survey map of the site.
- Much of the initial information he received was based on the memories of priests of the Virupaksha temple and the shrine of Pampadevi.
- Subsequently, from 1856, photographers began to record the monuments which enabled scholars to study them.
- As early as 1836 epigraphists began collecting several dozen inscriptions found at this and other temples at Hampi.
Important Points
- During this time four dynasties ruled, which are as follows:
- Sangam (1336-1485 AD)
- Suluva (1485-1505 AD)
- Tuluva (1505–1570 AD)
- Aravidu (1570–1649 AD)
10. Which of the following was the capital of Pallavas?
A. Aihole
B. Puhar
C. Raichur Doab
D. Kanchipuram
Solution
The correct answer is Option 4.
Key Points
- Kanchipuram was the capital of the Pallava dynasty.
- The Pallavas were a powerful dynasty that ruled a large part of southern India from the 3rd to the 9th century CE.
- Kanchipuram, also known as Kanchi, is located in the state of Tamil Nadu and is renowned for its temples, silk sarees, and rich cultural heritage.
Additional Information
- The Pallavas were one of the earliest dynasties to emerge in southern India, and their capital was Kanchipuram, located in present-day Tamil Nadu.
- The Pallavas were patrons of art, architecture, literature, and religion, and their influence can still be seen in many parts of southern India today.
- They were responsible for building many famous temples and monuments, including the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram and the Kailasanatha Temple in Kanchipuram.
- The Pallava dynasty declined in the 9th century CE, with the rise of the Chola dynasty, but their legacy continued to shape the culture and history of southern India for centuries to come.
