Q120. Which interpretation best explains Mahmud of Ghazni’s campaigns in India?
[UP PGT History — 2026]
A. Primarily resource-oriented raids supporting his Central Asian empire
B. Systematic creation of a permanent Indian administration
C. Exclusive campaigns for religious conversion
D. Establishment of a unified Indian kingdom
Answer: A. Primarily resource-oriented raids supporting his Central Asian empire
Explanation: Mahmud repeatedly raided wealthy Indian centres and temples. Although Punjab came under Ghaznavid control, most expeditions sought wealth and prestige rather than comprehensive territorial administration.
Q119. What primarily distinguished Muhammad Ghori’s Indian campaigns from those of Mahmud of Ghazni?
[UP PGT History — 2026]
A. Ghori completely avoided military conquest
B. Ghori systematically conquered territory and created bases for enduring rule
C. Ghori invaded only Sindh
D. Ghori never appointed military governors
Answer: B. Ghori systematically conquered territory and created bases for enduring rule
Explanation: Unlike Mahmud’s largely raiding expeditions, Muhammad Ghori conquered strategic territories and entrusted them to commanders such as Qutb-ud-din Aibak, facilitating permanent Turkish political control.
Q118. What was Qutb-ud-din Aibak’s principal historical significance?
[UP PGT History — 2026]
A. He conquered Sindh for the Arabs
B. He consolidated Ghurid possessions and laid the foundation of Sultanate rule
C. He defeated Mahmud of Ghazni
D. He founded the Khalji dynasty
Answer: B. He consolidated Ghurid possessions and laid the foundation of Sultanate rule
Explanation: Aibak served Muhammad Ghori in India and, after Ghori’s death, established independent authority from Delhi and Lahore, beginning the Mamluk or Slave dynasty.
Q117. Which measure was important in Iltutmish’s consolidation of the Delhi Sultanate?
[UP PGT History — 2026]
A. Abolition of the Iqta system
B. Caliphal recognition and systematic organisation of Iqtas
C. Transfer of capital to Daulatabad
D. Introduction of Mansabdari
Answer: B. Caliphal recognition and systematic organisation of Iqtas
Explanation: Iltutmish strengthened the vulnerable Sultanate through administrative organisation, Iqta assignments and recognition from the Abbasid Caliph, increasing both political legitimacy and institutional stability.
Q116. Why is Iltutmish regarded as a major consolidator of the early Delhi Sultanate?
[UP PGT History — 2026]
A. He founded the Ghaznavid Empire
B. He transformed a fragile conquest-state into a more stable monarchy
C. He conquered Sindh in 712 CE
D. He defeated Prithviraj at Tarain
Answer: B. He transformed a fragile conquest-state into a more stable monarchy
Explanation: Iltutmish overcame rival Turkish claimants, strengthened administration, organised the nobility and obtained caliphal recognition, giving Delhi’s newly established Turkish state greater durability.
Q115. Who described the Arab conquest of Sindh as a “triumph without results”?
[OPSC OCS Preliminary Examination — 2026]
A. Vincent Smith
B. Stanley Lane-Poole
C. Elphinstone
D. R. C. Majumdar
Answer: B. Stanley Lane-Poole
Explanation: Lane-Poole used this description because Arab political authority remained substantially confined to Sindh and Multan and did not immediately produce extensive territorial expansion across India.
Q114. Which work did Al-Biruni compose after extensively studying Indian society and knowledge?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, 18 March — 2026]
A. Baburnama
B. Chahar Maqala
C. Kitab-ul-Hind
D. Qiran-us-Sa’dain
Answer: C. Kitab-ul-Hind
Explanation: Al-Biruni’s Arabic work Kitab-ul-Hind examines Indian religion, philosophy, astronomy, sciences, customs and social practices, making it an invaluable source for eleventh-century India.
Q113. Which monument associated with Qutb-ud-din Aibak was begun after the Ghurid conquest of Delhi?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, 18 March — 2026]
A. Red Fort
B. Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque
C. Jama Masjid
D. Buland Darwaza
Answer: B. Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque
Explanation: Aibak commissioned the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque at Delhi following the Ghurid conquest. It became one of the earliest major architectural monuments associated with Turkish rule.
Q112. Which Gurjara-Pratihara ruler is particularly associated with resisting early Arab expansion into western India?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, 24 March — 2026]
A. Ramabhadra
B. Nagabhata I
C. Mihira Bhoja
D. Rajyapala
Answer: B. Nagabhata I
Explanation: Nagabhata I strengthened the emerging Gurjara-Pratihara power and is traditionally credited with successfully resisting Arab forces advancing eastward from their conquered territories in Sindh.
Q111. Which of the following author-work combinations is incorrect?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, 17 March — 2026]
A. Gita Govinda — Jayadeva
B. Baburnama — Babur
C. Tughlaq Nama — Abul Fazl
D. Prithviraj Raso — Chand Bardai
Answer: C. Tughlaq Nama — Abul Fazl
Explanation: Tughlaq Nama is associated with Amir Khusrau, not Abul Fazl. Chand Bardai’s Prithviraj Raso narrates traditions surrounding Prithviraj Chauhan and the Ghurid conflict.