Q40. Which of the following best explains the administrative significance of the road network developed under Sher Shah Suri?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-2 – 10 July 2026, Shift 1]
(A) Kos minars housed couriers and functioned as revenue offices
(B) Dak chowkis stored grain and functioned as market centres
(C) Sarais provided lodging and functioned as dak chowkis
(D) Sarais collected taxes and functioned as military cantonments
Answer: (C) Sarais provided lodging and functioned as dak chowkis
Explanation: Sher Shah developed a network of roads and sarais that accommodated travellers and supported postal communication. These establishments facilitated trade, military movement and the efficient transmission of imperial orders.
Q39. The Battle of Chausa, fought on 26 June 1539, was a military engagement between which of the following?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-1 – 20 June 2026, Shift 3]
(A) Humayun and Sher Shah Suri
(B) Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh
(C) Babur and Ibrahim Lodi
(D) Akbar and Hemu
Answer: (A) Humayun and Sher Shah Suri
Explanation: Sher Khan defeated Mughal Emperor Humayun at Chausa near present-day Buxar in Bihar. This victory strengthened Afghan power and enabled Sher Khan to assume the imperial title Sher Shah.
Q38. At which place did Sher Shah first defeat Humayun in 1539?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-1 – 17 June 2026, Shift 3]
(A) Gwalior
(B) Chausa
(C) Kannauj
(D) Panipat
Answer: (B) Chausa
Explanation: The Battle of Chausa in 1539 marked Humayun’s first major defeat against Sher Khan. The Afghan leader subsequently defeated him again at Kannauj in 1540, securing control of Delhi.
Q37. Where is the tomb of Sher Shah Suri located?
[SSC MTS 2025 – Held on 9 February 2026, Shift 1]
(A) Sikandra
(B) Sasaram
(C) Lahore
(D) Aurangabad
Answer: (B) Sasaram
Explanation: Sher Shah’s monumental tomb stands at Sasaram in Bihar. Designed by Mir Muhammad Aliwal Khan, the octagonal sandstone structure rises from an artificial lake and represents outstanding Indo-Islamic funerary architecture.
Q36. Which of the following building materials were primarily used in constructing Purana Qila?
[SSC CGL 2025 Tier-2 – Held on 19 January 2026]
(A) Granite and lime plaster
(B) Concrete and red bricks
(C) Sandstone and marble
(D) Wood and terracotta
Answer: (C) Sandstone and marble
Explanation: Purana Qila incorporates extensive sandstone masonry with marble decoration. Humayun and Sher Shah contributed to its development, making the monument an important example of sixteenth-century Indo-Islamic architecture.
Q35. After defeating the Mughal emperor, who declared himself ruler and founded the Second Afghan Empire?
[SSC CGL 2025 Tier-2 – Held on 19 January 2026]
(A) Humayun
(B) Sher Shah Suri
(C) Bahlul Lodi
(D) Sikandar Lodi
Answer: (B) Sher Shah Suri
Explanation: Sher Shah displaced Humayun through victories at Chausa and Kannauj. He established the Sur dynasty, commonly described as the Second Afghan Empire, and ruled northern India from 1540 to 1545.
Q34. Whose administrative system later became the model for Emperor Akbar’s consolidation of the Mughal Empire?
[SSC CGL 2025 Tier-2 – Held on 19 January 2026]
(A) Babur
(B) Humayun
(C) Sher Shah Suri
(D) Jahangir
Answer: (C) Sher Shah Suri
Explanation: Sher Shah introduced systematic revenue assessment, improved highways, standardized currency and reorganized provincial administration. Akbar subsequently adopted and refined several of these practices while strengthening Mughal imperial institutions.
Q33. Which of the following statements regarding medieval Indian currency reforms are correctly matched?
[MP Police Sub-Inspector – 18 January 2026, Shift 1]
1. Iltutmish introduced the silver Tanka and copper Jital.
2. Sher Shah Suri issued the standardized silver Rupiya.
3. Akbar abolished silver currency and made the gold Mohur the sole standard.
(A) 1, 2 and 3
(B) 1 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 2 only
(D) 2 only
Answer: (C) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Iltutmish standardized the Tanka and Jital, while Sher Shah issued the silver Rupiya. Akbar continued a system of gold, silver and copper coinage rather than discontinuing silver currency.
Q32. Arrange the following historical battles in chronological order: I. Khanwa, II. Kannauj, III. First Panipat, IV. Chausa.
[Bihar Police SI – 18 January 2026, Shift 2, Memory-Based Paper]
(A) III – II – I – IV
(B) III – I – IV – II
(C) II – I – IV – III
(D) I – II – III – IV
Answer: (B) III – I – IV – II
Explanation: Babur won the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 and Khanwa in 1527. Sher Shah subsequently defeated Humayun at Chausa in 1539 and Kannauj in 1540.
Q31. Which of the following dynasties ruled northern India for approximately fifteen years during the sixteenth century?
[SSC CHSL Tier-1 – 30 November 2025, Shift 3]
(A) Sur dynasty
(B) Khalji dynasty
(C) Tughlaq dynasty
(D) Lodi dynasty
Answer: (A) Sur dynasty
Explanation: The Sur dynasty displaced Mughal authority in 1540 and remained dominant until Humayun’s restoration in 1555. Sher Shah founded this Afghan ruling house, which introduced important administrative reforms.
Q30. Arrange the following sentences in the correct sequence concerning India’s historical road network. S1: India has one of the world’s largest road networks. S6: The Grand Trunk Road passes through important northern Indian cities and extends towards Kabul.
[UPSC NDA-II GAT – 14 September 2025, Verbal Aptitude]
P. Roads have played an important role in India since ancient times.
Q. The Grand Trunk Road is among Asia’s oldest major roads.
R. It was developed in earlier periods and renovated and extended by Sher Shah Suri.
S. It remained an important route for medieval trade and administration.
(A) QPRS
(B) SPQR
(C) PQRS
(D) PRSQ
Answer: (C) PQRS
Explanation: The passage moves from the general importance of roads to the Grand Trunk Road, its development under successive rulers including Sher Shah, and its significance for medieval administration.
Q29. Which of the following monuments are associated with the architectural patronage of Sher Shah Suri?
[RPSC RAS Preliminary Examination – 2 February 2025]
A. Sher Shah’s Tomb at Sasaram
B. Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque
C. Akbar’s Tomb at Sikandra
D. Jama Masjid at Delhi
(A) A and B only
(B) A and C only
(C) A and D only
(D) B and D only
Answer: (A) A and B only
Explanation: Sher Shah commissioned his tomb at Sasaram and the Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque in Delhi. Akbar’s tomb belongs to the Mughal period, while Delhi’s Jama Masjid was built under Shah Jahan.
Q28. What was the original name of Sher Shah Suri, the founder of the Sur dynasty?
[RPF Sub-Inspector CBT-1 – 9 December 2024, Shift 2]
(A) Adham Khan
(B) Farid Khan
(C) Ulugh Khan
(D) Murtaza Khan
Answer: (B) Farid Khan
Explanation: Sher Shah was originally named Farid Khan. He earned the title Sher Khan following an episode involving a tiger and subsequently assumed the royal title Sher Shah after defeating Humayun.
Q27. Match the following monuments with their respective builders.
[SSC MTS – 30 October 2024, Shift 2]
A. Jama Masjid, Delhi – 1. Babur
B. Allahabad Fort – 2. Sher Shah
C. Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque – 3. Shah Jahan
D. Jama Masjid, Sambhal – 4. Akbar
(A) A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3
(B) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
(C) A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
(D) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
Answer: (B) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
Explanation: Shah Jahan commissioned Delhi’s Jama Masjid, Akbar built Allahabad Fort, Sher Shah constructed Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque, and Babur’s reign is associated with the Jama Masjid at Sambhal.
Q26. Who introduced the silver coin known as the Rupaya?
[PSSSB Jail Warder – 27 October 2024]
(A) Akbar
(B) Sher Shah Suri
(C) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
(D) None of the above
Answer: (B) Sher Shah Suri
Explanation: Sher Shah standardized silver coinage through the Rupiya, weighing approximately 178 grains. His monetary reforms improved commercial exchange and established an important foundation for the later Indian rupee.
Q25. The famous Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque, situated inside Purana Qila in Delhi, was built by which ruler?
[SSC MTS – 16 October 2024, Shift 1]
(A) Sher Shah Suri
(B) Alauddin Khalji
(C) Akbar
(D) Humayun
Answer: (A) Sher Shah Suri
Explanation: Sher Shah commissioned the Qila-i-Kuhna Mosque around 1541. Its elegant sandstone facade, marble decoration and distinctive arches demonstrate the architectural transition between late Sultanate and Mughal styles.
Q24. Who introduced Kabuliyat and Patta as important instruments of land revenue settlement?
[WBPSC WBCS 2023 Mains, History Paper III – Held on 18 August 2024]
(A) Shivaji
(B) Ashoka
(C) Sher Shah Suri
(D) Akbar
Answer: (C) Sher Shah Suri
Explanation: Patta specified the cultivator’s landholding and revenue liability, while Kabuliyat recorded acceptance of the assessed demand. These written arrangements increased accountability and influenced subsequent Mughal revenue administration.
Q23. The Battle of Kannauj was fought between Sher Shah Suri and the Mughal forces led by whom?
[SSC CPO Paper I – 28 June 2024, Shift 3]
(A) Humayun
(B) Jahangir
(C) Aurangzeb
(D) Akbar
Answer: (A) Humayun
Explanation: The Battle of Kannauj, also called Bilgram, occurred in May 1540. Sher Shah’s victory decisively displaced Humayun, allowing Afghan rule to replace Mughal authority in northern India.
Q22. The historical Sher Shah Suri Marg between Delhi and Amritsar was formerly associated with which National Highway number?
[SSC Selection Post, Graduate Level – 20 June 2024, Shift 3]
(A) NH 9
(B) NH 3
(C) NH 1
(D) NH 7
Answer: (C) NH 1
Explanation: The Delhi-Amritsar section of the historic Grand Trunk Road was formerly designated NH 1. Modern highway renumbering changed this classification, but the route preserves Sher Shah’s transport legacy.
Q21. Consider the following statements about Sher Shah’s land revenue administration: I. Land was classified into three categories according to productivity. II. Land measurement followed a uniform system. III. One-fourth of the produce was fixed as land tax. Which statements are correct?
[APPSC Group-1 Prelims – 17 March 2024]
(A) I and II only
(B) I and III only
(C) II and III only
(D) I, II and III
Answer: (A) I and II only
Explanation: Sher Shah categorized cultivated land according to productivity and encouraged systematic measurement. The standard state demand was generally assessed at one-third of average produce, not one-fourth.
Q20. Which medieval ruler particularly emphasized the construction of sarais for travellers?
[SSC CHSL Tier-1 – 10 August 2023, Shift 4]
(A) Babur
(B) Sher Shah Suri
(C) Akbar
(D) Humayun
Answer: (B) Sher Shah Suri
Explanation: Sher Shah established numerous roadside sarais providing accommodation, water and other facilities. They promoted safe travel and commerce, while several also functioned as postal relay stations.
Q19. In which Indian state is Sher Shah Suri’s tomb located?
[SSC CHSL Tier-1 – 2 August 2023, Shift 4]
(A) Bihar
(B) Uttar Pradesh
(C) Punjab
(D) West Bengal
Answer: (A) Bihar
Explanation: The tomb is situated at Sasaram in Bihar’s Rohtas district. Its octagonal design, central dome and surrounding water tank distinguish it among India’s finest sixteenth-century funerary monuments.
Q18. Which combination of rulers is associated with the construction and development of Purana Qila in Delhi?
[SSC Selection Post, Higher Secondary Level – 28 June 2023, Shift 2]
(A) Babur and Akbar
(B) Qutb-ud-din Aibak and Iltutmish
(C) Shah Jahan and Jahangir
(D) Humayun and Sher Shah Suri
Answer: (D) Humayun and Sher Shah Suri
Explanation: Humayun initiated the Dinpanah settlement associated with Purana Qila. Sher Shah subsequently occupied and developed the site, constructing significant buildings during his brief reign over northern India.
Q17. In which year did Sher Shah Suri enter Mughal service under Babur?
[MP Forest Guard and Jail Prahari Combined Examination – 28 May 2023, Shift 2]
(A) 1520
(B) 1527
(C) 1580
(D) 1529
Answer: (B) 1527
Explanation: Farid Khan entered Babur’s service in 1527, gaining insight into Mughal military organization. His subsequent rise in Bihar enabled him to develop an independent Afghan power base.
Q16. Which emperor adopted the Zabt system involving measurement of agricultural land for revenue assessment?
[IB Security Assistant and MTS – 23 March 2023, Shift 1]
(A) Sher Shah Suri
(B) Jahangir
(C) Bairam Khan
(D) Akbar
Answer: (A) Sher Shah Suri
Explanation: Sher Shah developed measurement-based land revenue assessment, supported by productivity estimates and fixed rates. Akbar later expanded and systematized similar practices under the Mughal revenue administration.
Q15. In which year did Sher Khan defeat Humayun at the Battle of Kannauj?
[SSC CHSL Tier-1 2022 – Held on 14 March 2023, Shift 1]
(A) 1535
(B) 1540
(C) 1530
(D) 1555
Answer: (B) 1540
Explanation: Sher Shah defeated Humayun at Kannauj in 1540, consolidating the victory achieved at Chausa a year earlier. Humayun lost his Indian territories and eventually sought Persian assistance.
Q14. Which of the following roads was NOT constructed or repaired by Sher Shah Suri?
[KVS PGT History – 18 February 2023, Shift 1]
(A) Grand Trunk Road from the Indus region to Sonargaon
(B) Road from Agra towards Jodhpur and Chittor
(C) Road from Lahore to Multan
(D) Multan-to-Sind route connecting the seaports of Sind
Answer: (D) Multan-to-Sind route connecting the seaports of Sind
Explanation: Sher Shah improved strategic highways connecting Bengal, Punjab and Rajasthan. The Multan-to-Sind seaport connection was not among the principal road-building projects attributed to his administration in this question.
Q13. Which of the following ruler–reign pairs are correctly matched? I. Sher Shah Suri – 1540 to 1545. II. Akbar – 1556 to 1605.
[SSC CGL Tier-1 – 12 December 2022, Shift 2]
(A) Neither I nor II
(B) Only II
(C) Only I
(D) Both I and II
Answer: (D) Both I and II
Explanation: Sher Shah governed northern India from 1540 until his death in 1545. Akbar ruled from 1556 to 1605, transforming the Mughal Empire through extensive military and administrative consolidation.
Q12. Which of the following was the last military campaign of Sher Shah Suri?
[UPPCL Assistant Engineer – 30 March 2022]
(A) Mewar campaign
(B) Battle of Samel
(C) Kalinjar Fort campaign
(D) Battle of Kannauj
Answer: (C) Kalinjar Fort campaign
Explanation: Sher Shah’s final expedition targeted Kalinjar Fort in Bundelkhand in 1545. An accidental gunpowder explosion during the siege fatally injured him, bringing his remarkable five-year imperial reign to an end.
Q11. Which ruler adopted the title Hazrat-i-Ala?
[UPPSC Polytechnic Lecturer, Paper II – 22 March 2022]
(A) Babur
(B) Akbar
(C) Shah Jahan
(D) Sher Shah Suri
Answer: (D) Sher Shah Suri
Explanation: Sher Khan assumed the title Hazrat-i-Ala while establishing his independent authority in Bihar. This preceded his assumption of the imperial title Sher Shah after defeating Humayun at Chausa.
Q10. Arrange the following rulers in their correct chronological order: I. Sher Shah Suri, II. Akbar, III. Alauddin Khalji, IV. Iltutmish.
[UPSSSC PET – 24 August 2021, Shift 1]
(A) IV – I – III – II
(B) IV – III – I – II
(C) I – II – III – IV
(D) III – IV – I – II
Answer: (B) IV – III – I – II
Explanation: Iltutmish ruled during the thirteenth century, followed by Alauddin Khalji in the late thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries. Sher Shah and Akbar ruled successively during the sixteenth century.
Q9. Who developed the Shahi Road connecting the Indus Valley with Bengal, later widely known as the Grand Trunk Road?
[RRB NTPC CBT-1 – 13 January 2021, Shift 1]
(A) Aurangzeb
(B) Alam Shah
(C) Bahadur Shah Zafar
(D) Sher Shah Suri
Answer: (D) Sher Shah Suri
Explanation: Sher Shah restored and extended the ancient north Indian highway, improving connections between Bengal and the northwestern regions. The route facilitated commerce, rapid troop movement and administrative communication.
Q8. Which initiatives were undertaken by Sher Shah Suri to promote trade and commerce? I. Standardized gold, silver and copper coinage. II. Restoration of the Grand Trunk Road. III. Simplification of customs duties.
[Punjab Civil Services Preliminary Examination – 2020]
(A) I only
(B) II only
(C) I and II only
(D) I, II and III
Answer: (D) I, II and III
Explanation: Sher Shah strengthened commercial activity through reliable currency, improved highways and rationalized customs collection. His measures helped merchants move goods across distant markets with greater security and predictable charges.
Q7. Consider the following assertion and reason. Assertion (A): Sher Shah attempted to regulate the state’s currency. Reason (R): During Akbar’s reign, copper Dam was the chief currency, just as under Sher Shah. Which option is correct?
[UPPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination – 2019]
(A) Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A
(B) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A
(C) A is true, but R is false
(D) A is false, but R is true
Answer: (C) A is true, but R is false
Explanation: Sher Shah standardized coinage, particularly the silver Rupiya. Although copper Dams circulated under Akbar, the reason incorrectly characterizes the monetary system and cannot explain Sher Shah’s currency reforms.
Q6. Which ruler constructed or improved the road from eastern Bengal towards Peshawar, popularly called Sadak-e-Azam?
[Chhattisgarh PSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination – 2018]
(A) Akbar
(B) Jahangir
(C) Islam Shah
(D) Sher Shah Suri
Answer: (D) Sher Shah Suri
Explanation: Sher Shah renovated and extended the historic highway linking eastern Bengal with northwestern India. Known as Sadak-e-Azam, it became an important communication and trade corridor during the Sur administration.
Q5. Who succeeded Sher Shah Suri as ruler of the Sur dynasty?
[MPPSC State Services, General Studies – 2018]
(A) Shujaat Khan
(B) Islam Shah
(C) Firoz Shah
(D) Muhammad Shah Adil
Answer: (B) Islam Shah
Explanation: Sher Shah’s son Jalal Khan ascended the throne as Islam Shah in 1545. He continued several paternal policies and ruled until 1554, maintaining the Afghan administrative system.
Q4. Consider the following statements about Sher Shah’s administration. 1. He divided his empire into Sarkars, further subdivided into Parganas. 2. The Sarkars and Parganas were administered directly by Sher Shah without assistance from officials. Which statement is correct?
[UPSC CDS-I, General Knowledge – 2014]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (A) 1 only
Explanation: Sher Shah organized his territories into Sarkars and Parganas, appointing officials for policing, revenue and local administration. Consequently, these units were not managed personally by the emperor without administrative assistance.
Q3. Where did Farid Khan, later known as Sher Shah Suri, receive his education?
[RPSC RAS Preliminary Examination – 2013]
(A) Sasaram
(B) Patna
(C) Jaunpur
(D) Lahore
Answer: (C) Jaunpur
Explanation: Farid Khan pursued his education at Jaunpur, an important centre of learning. His exposure to Persian literature and administration contributed to the governing abilities demonstrated during his later reign.
Q2. Consider the following: 1. Assessment of land revenue based on soil characteristics and crop quality. 2. Use of mobile cannons in warfare. 3. Cultivation of tobacco and red chillies. Which of these were introduced into India by the English?
[UPSC CSE Preliminary Examination – 2012]
(A) 1 only
(B) 1 and 2 only
(C) 2 and 3 only
(D) None of the above
Answer: (D) None of the above
Explanation: Revenue assessment by soil and crop quality predates British rule and was developed under rulers including Sher Shah. Babur used mobile artillery, while the Portuguese introduced American crops.
Q1. Which of the following monuments has a dome regarded as one of the largest in the world?
[UPSC CSE Preliminary Examination – 1995]
(A) Tomb of Sher Shah Suri, Sasaram
(B) Jama Masjid, Delhi
(C) Tomb of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, Delhi
(D) Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur
Answer: (D) Gol Gumbaz, Bijapur
Explanation: Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur houses the tomb of Muhammad Adil Shah and possesses an enormous unsupported masonry dome. Sher Shah’s tomb at Sasaram is architecturally significant but smaller.