Q20. The Second Battle of Tarain was fought between Muhammad Ghori and whom?
[SSC CGL — 2017]
A. Alexander
B. Prithviraj Chauhan
C. Hemu
D. Rana Sanga
Answer: B. Prithviraj Chauhan
Explanation: Their second encounter in 1192 reversed the outcome of Tarain I and opened Delhi and Ajmer to expanding Ghurid political influence.
Q19. Mahmud was ruler of which important city and empire?
[SSC CGL — 2017]
A. Ghazni
B. Delhi
C. Baghdad
D. Constantinople
Answer: A. Ghazni
Explanation: Mahmud transformed Ghazni into a wealthy imperial capital and used it as the base for campaigns across Central Asia, Iran, Afghanistan and India.
Q18. Which ruler was defeated by Muhammad Ghori at Chandawar?
[UPRO/ARO — 2016]
A. Jayachandra
B. Prithviraj
C. Bhoja
D. Anandapala
Answer: A. Jayachandra
Explanation: Jayachandra’s defeat in 1194 weakened the Gahadavala kingdom and facilitated further Ghurid penetration into the Ganga-Yamuna region and towards Bihar.
Q17. Who is generally identified as the first successful Muslim conqueror of Indian territory?
[UPSSSC Lower Subordinate — 2016]
A. Muhammad-bin-Qasim
B. Mahmud of Ghazni
C. Muhammad Ghori
D. Aibak
Answer: A. Muhammad-bin-Qasim
Explanation: Muhammad-bin-Qasim’s conquest of Sindh in the early eighth century created the first lasting Muslim-controlled territories in the Indian subcontinent.
Q16. Who ruled Sindh when Muhammad-bin-Qasim invaded it?
[SSC — 2016]
A. Dahir
B. Jayapala
C. Anandapala
D. Jayachandra
Answer: A. Dahir
Explanation: Raja Dahir was the Brahman ruler of Sindh who confronted Muhammad-bin-Qasim. His defeat enabled the Umayyad conquest of important Indus valley centres.
Q15. Who wrote the Shahnameh and was associated with the Ghaznavid age?
[MPPSC Preliminary Examination — 2015]
A. Firdausi
B. Utbi
C. Al-Biruni
D. Hasan Nizami
Answer: A. Firdausi
Explanation: Persian poet Firdausi composed the monumental Shahnameh. His career became associated with Mahmud’s Ghaznavid court, although their relationship was reportedly difficult.
Q14. Who is regarded as the founder of the Ghaznavid dynasty?
[UP Lower Subordinate — 2015]
A. Alptigin
B. Mahmud
C. Muhammad Ghori
D. Aibak
Answer: A. Alptigin
Explanation: Alptigin, a Turkish military commander, established himself at Ghazni in the tenth century. Sabuktigin later strengthened the state before Mahmud transformed it into an empire.
Q13. The earliest Muslim invaders who established authority in Sindh belonged to which ethnic group?
[UP Lower Subordinate — 2015]
A. Arabs
B. Mongols
C. Afghans
D. Mughals
Answer: A. Arabs
Explanation: The Umayyad conquest led by Muhammad-bin-Qasim was Arab. Turkish incursions associated with the Ghaznavids and Ghurids occurred several centuries later.
Q12. Before his victory at the Second Battle of Tarain, Muhammad Ghori had suffered an important defeat in Gujarat at the hands of whom?
[UPSC CDS — 2015]
A. Chaulukya forces associated with Mularaja II/Bhima II
B. Chola forces
C. Sena forces
D. Kakatiya forces
Answer: A. Chaulukya forces associated with Mularaja II/Bhima II
Explanation: Ghori’s 1178 Gujarat campaign failed near Kayadara. The resistance is especially associated with Queen Naiki Devi acting during the young Chaulukya ruler’s reign.
Q11. Who defeated Muhammad Ghori in the First Battle of Tarain?
[MPPSC — 2014]
A. Prithviraj Chauhan
B. Jaichand
C. Lakshmanasena
D. Govindachandra
Answer: A. Prithviraj Chauhan
Explanation: Prithviraj achieved victory in 1191, but Ghori returned a year later with reorganised forces and defeated him decisively at the Second Battle of Tarain.
