Q50. Which scholar described the famous Sun Temple at Multan?
[UPPCS Preliminary Examination — 2020]
A. Al-Biruni
B. Abul Fazl
C. Bernier
D. Niccolao Manucci
Answer: A. Al-Biruni
Explanation: Al-Biruni recorded extensive geographical and religious information about northwestern India, including important sacred centres encountered in areas affected by Ghaznavid expansion.
Q49. According to the Chach Nama, what was an important capital of Sindh?
[MPPSC Preliminary Examination — 2020]
A. Arod/Aror
B. Kannauj
C. Ajmer
D. Delhi
Answer: A. Arod/Aror
Explanation: Aror or Arod was an important political centre of Sindh associated with Raja Dahir and figures prominently in accounts of Muhammad-bin-Qasim’s conquest.
Q48. Somnath, raided by Mahmud of Ghazni, is situated on which peninsula/coastal region?
[UPSC CDS — 2020]
A. Kathiawar coast
B. Coromandel coast
C. Konkan coast
D. Malabar coast
Answer: A. Kathiawar coast
Explanation: Somnath lies at Prabhas Patan on Gujarat’s Saurashtra or Kathiawar coast. Mahmud’s 1025–26 expedition there became his best-known Indian raid.
Q47. Who fought Muhammad Ghori in the Battles of Tarain?
[Indian Air Force Group Y — 2020]
A. Mularaja
B. Prithviraj Chauhan
C. Dharavarsha
D. Kirtipala
Answer: B. Prithviraj Chauhan
Explanation: The two rulers clashed at Tarain in 1191 and 1192. The first battle favoured Prithviraj, whereas the second established Ghori’s strategic supremacy.
Q46. Who defeated Muhammad Ghori in 1191 but lost to him in 1192?
[Rajasthan Police Constable — 2020]
A. Prithviraj III
B. Rajaraja I
C. Rajendra I
D. Ramraja II
Answer: A. Prithviraj III
Explanation: The contrasting outcomes of the two Battles of Tarain demonstrate Ghori’s ability to recover from the defeat of 1191 and reorganise for a decisive return.
Q45. Who raided the Somnath temple in 1025 CE?
[SSC CGL — 2019]
A. Muhammad Ghori
B. Mahmud of Ghazni
C. Qutb-ud-din Aibak
D. Timur
Answer: B. Mahmud of Ghazni
Explanation: Mahmud’s Somnath expedition penetrated deep into Gujarat and yielded enormous booty. It became the most famous of his repeated raiding campaigns into India.
Q44. Which invader attacked the Somnath temple on the Kathiawar coast?
[SSC CHSL — 2019]
A. Mahmud of Ghazni
B. Babur
C. Muhammad-bin-Qasim
D. Iltutmish
Answer: A. Mahmud of Ghazni
Explanation: Mahmud reached Somnath in 1025–26 after crossing western India. The expedition was motivated substantially by the temple’s wealth and the prestige of victory.
Q43. Mahmud of Ghazni defeated which Hindu Shahi ruler during his early Indian campaigns?
[SSC CHSL — 2019]
A. Jayapala
B. Jayachandra
C. Prithviraj
D. Bhoja
Answer: A. Jayapala
Explanation: Jayapala’s defeat around Peshawar in 1001 weakened Hindu Shahi resistance. His successor Anandapala later organised further opposition against Mahmud’s advance.
Q42. Which invader is particularly associated with the plunder of Somnath?
[SSC MTS — 2019]
A. Mahmud of Ghazni
B. Muhammad Ghori
C. Chengiz Khan
D. Timur
Answer: A. Mahmud of Ghazni
Explanation: Mahmud’s Gujarat campaign culminated at Somnath. Unlike Muhammad Ghori’s later conquests, Ghaznavid expeditions generally emphasised raiding rather than permanent administration deep inside India.
Q41. Which former slave-general of Muhammad Ghori established independent rule in India after 1206?
[SSC CGL — 2019]
A. Qutb-ud-din Aibak
B. Balban
C. Alauddin Khalji
D. Bahlol Lodi
Answer: A. Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Explanation: Aibak administered Ghori’s Indian possessions and, after his master’s death, became an independent ruler, beginning the Mamluk dynasty of Delhi.
