Hundi and Insurance – UGC NET History – Practice Questions

Personnel of Trade

1. Merchants in Mughal India operated at which levels of trade?
A. Only village markets
B. Only overseas trade
C. From local peddling to overseas commerce
D. Only inter-regional trade

2. Which specialized group played an important role in the Mughal commercial process?
A. Soldiers
B. Priests
C. Agricultural labourers
D. Merchants, brokers, and sarrafs

3. Large-scale trading operations during the Mughal period encouraged:
A. Decline of institutions
B. Strengthening of old institutions and emergence of new ones
C. End of banking
D. Elimination of partnerships

4. Which among the following was an important aspect of Mughal trade?
A. Banking systems
B. Bills of exchange
C. Money lending
D. All of the above

5. Which commercial practice existed during the Mughal period?
A. Joint trading partnerships
B. Insurance
C. Credit transactions
D. All of the above

6. Match List I with List II regarding trade personnel and functions.

A. a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
B. a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
C. a-iii, b-ii, c-iv, d-i
D. a-iv, b-iii, c-i, d-ii

7. Increasing commercial activity attracted many people to professions such as:
A. Agriculture only
B. Temple service only
C. Trade, brokerage, and money lending
D. Warfare only

8. Which statement about trading groups in Mughal India is correct?
A. Roles were strictly separated
B. Only one profession could be practiced at a time
C. The same person often performed multiple commercial roles
D. Merchants were never moneylenders

9. Theoretical Hindu varna ideology associated commerce mainly with:
A. Brahmins
B. Kshatriyas
C. Shudras
D. Vaisyas

10. In practice, commercial activities during the Mughal period were performed by:
A. Vaisyas only
B. Muslims only
C. Rajputs only
D. People from diverse social backgrounds

11. Assertion (A): Commercial activity in Mughal India was not confined to one caste alone.
Reason (R): Different groups and castes dominated trade in different regions.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.

12. Banjaras were mainly associated with:
A. Temple rituals
B. Military service only
C. Coin minting
D. Rural and inter-regional trade

13. Which commodities were typically traded by Banjaras?
A. Grain and salt
B. Pulses and sugar
C. Timber and wood
D. All of the above

14. Banjaras mainly used which animals for transport?
A. Horses
B. Camels only
C. Elephants
D. Oxen

15. Jahangir’s Tuzuk-i Jahangiri describes Banjaras as:
A. Temple servants
B. State officials
C. A fixed class transporting goods through oxen
D. Sea merchants

16. A Tanda referred to:
A. A Mughal tax office
B. A market centre
C. A group of Banjara families and households
D. A mint establishment

17. Match List I with List II regarding Banjara terminology.

A. a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
B. a-i, b-ii, c-iv, d-iii
C. a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
D. a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii

18. A Banjara Tanda could include approximately:
A. 50–100 persons
B. 100–200 persons
C. 300–400 persons
D. 600–700 persons

19. Banjaras were socially composed of:
A. Hindus only
B. Muslims only
C. Sikhs only
D. Both Hindus and Muslims

20. Some scholars classify Banjaras into groups mainly based on:
A. Religion
B. Place of origin
C. Language
D. Commodities traded

21. Assertion (A): Banjaras were important for rural–urban trade.
Reason (R): They moved goods between villages and towns using large numbers of oxen.

A. Both A and R are false.
B. A is true, but R is false.
C. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
D. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

22. Which nomadic trading group in Sindh resembled the Banjaras?
A. Komatis
B. Klings
C. Nahmardis
D. Mopillas

23. Bhotlyas traded mainly between:
A. Gujarat and Rajasthan
B. Punjab and Delhi
C. Coromandel and Bengal
D. The Himalayas and the plains

24. Banias were especially important as merchant groups in:
A. South India only
B. Bengal only
C. North India and Deccan
D. Kashmir only

25. Banias belonged mainly to:
A. Buddhist and Sikh communities
B. Muslim and Christian communities
C. Tribal communities
D. Hindu and Jain communities

26. Match List I with List II regarding merchant communities and regions.

A. a-iii, b-i, c-ii, d-iv
B. a-iii, b-i, c-ii, d-iv
C. a-i, b-iii, c-iv, d-ii
D. a-iv, b-ii, c-i, d-iii

27. The word Bania is derived from the Sanskrit word:
A. Vyapara
B. Sethi
C. Arthika
D. Vanik

28. Agarwals traced their place of origin to:
A. Marwar
B. Osi
C. Punjab
D. Agroha

29. Oswals derived their name from:
A. Gujarat
B. Osi in Marwar
C. Agra
D. Sindh

30. Which region produced the highest number of traders known as Marwaris?
A. Punjab
B. Bengal
C. Deccan
D. Marwar

31. Assertion (A): Marwaris emerged as one of the most eminent merchant groups of the Mughal period.
Reason (R): They spread throughout India and maintained strong caste-based business networks.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.

32. Banias maintained internal caste solidarity through:
A. Military councils
B. Religious courts only
C. Royal grants
D. Mahajan councils

33. Which European traveler praised Banias for accounting and bookkeeping skills during 1583–89?
A. Tavernier
B. Ovington
C. Fryer
D. Linschoten

34. Tavernier admired Banias particularly for their:
A. Naval warfare
B. Agricultural innovations
C. Accounting and merchant skills
D. Religious preaching

35. Unlike Banjaras, Banias were involved in:
A. Grain transport only
B. Religious work only
C. Multiple types of commercial activities
D. Military campaigns only

36. At the village level, Banias commonly traded in:
A. Horses and pearls
B. Military equipment only
C. Grain and agricultural produce
D. Textiles only

37. Banias also functioned as:
A. Temple priests
B. State soldiers
C. Moneylenders to peasants, officials, and nobles
D. Mint officials only

38. In towns, Banias dealt in commodities such as:
A. Grain and textiles
B. Gold, silver, and jewels
C. Spices and luxury goods
D. All of the above

39. Some Banias possessed assets worth:
A. A few hundred rupees
B. Less than one thousand rupees
C. Ten thousand rupees only
D. Millions of rupees

40. Which statement best describes the lifestyle of Banias?
A. Militaristic and extravagant
B. Nomadic and pastoral
C. Royal and luxurious
D. Simple and frugal

41. Assertion (A): Banias occupied an important place in Mughal commercial life.
Reason (R): They combined trading, money lending, and investment activities.

A. Both A and R are false.
B. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

42. Which trading community was dominant in Punjab?
A. Banias
B. Bohras
C. Khatris
D. Komatis

43. Guru Nanak, founder of Sikhism, belonged to which community?
A. Bohra
B. Komati
C. Marakkayar
D. Khatri

44. The Khatri community included:
A. Hindus only
B. Muslims only
C. Sikhs only
D. Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs

45. The Multanis were especially important in:
A. Bengal and Orissa
B. Gujarat and Rajasthan
C. South Coromandel only
D. Delhi, Punjab, and Sindh

46. Match List I with List II regarding merchant communities and features.

A. a-ii, b-iii, c-i, d-iv
B. a-iii, b-ii, c-iv, d-i
C. a-ii, b-iii, c-i, d-iv
D. a-iv, b-i, c-ii, d-iii

47. The Bohras were mainly:
A. Hindu bankers
B. Sikh traders
C. Jain merchants
D. Muslim merchants

48. Bohras were important merchants especially in:
A. Kashmir and Punjab
B. Bengal and Bihar
C. Gujarat and western India
D. South India only

49. Which towns had notable Bohra settlements?
A. Agra and Lahore
B. Delhi and Kabul
C. Ujjain and Burhanpur
D. Surat and Patna

50. Which notable Bohra merchant possessed wealth worth millions of rupees?
A. Bhimji Parak
B. Ovington
C. Mulla Muhammad Ali
D. Linschoten

51. Assertion (A): Merchant wealth in Mughal India could reach enormous levels.
Reason (R): Some merchants owned ships and had assets worth millions of rupees.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.

52. Which merchant community was active on the western coast of India?
A. Komatis
B. Khatris
C. Kutchi Memons
D. Nahmardis

53. The term “Chetti” in South India is derived from:
A. Vanik
B. Arthashastra
C. Vyapara
D. Shreshthi (Seth)

54. Chettis were mainly important in:
A. Northern India
B. Punjab
C. Gujarat
D. South India

55. Merchants along the Coromandel coast up to Orissa were known as:
A. Mopillas
B. Marakkayars
C. Klings
D. Banjaras

56. Match List I with List II regarding South Indian merchant groups.

A. a-ii, b-iii, c-iv, d-i
B. a-ii, b-iii, c-iv, d-i
C. a-iii, b-ii, c-i, d-iv
D. a-i, b-iv, c-ii, d-iii

57. Komatis mainly acted as:
A. Soldiers
B. Religious preachers
C. Textile brokers and hinterland suppliers
D. State revenue officers

58. The Komatis were primarily:
A. Persian-speaking
B. Tamil-speaking
C. Kannada-speaking
D. Telugu-speaking

59. Which Chuh subgroup was considered the wealthiest?
A. Mopillas
B. Paravas
C. Marakkayars
D. Klings

60. Marakkayars were especially involved in:
A. Inland caravan trade only
B. Grain cultivation
C. Temple administration
D. Coastal and Southeast Asian trade

61. Assertion (A): Marakkayar merchants were highly mobile.
Reason (R): They established themselves in regions such as Malacca, Johore, Burma, and Ceylon.

A. Both A and R are false.
B. A is true, but R is false.
C. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
D. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

62. Which among the following regions had Marakkayar settlements?
A. Maldives
B. Malacca
C. Burma
D. All of the above

63. In India, Marakkayars were active particularly in:
A. Punjab only
B. Rajasthan only
C. Bengal only
D. South Coromandel and Madura region

64. Marakkayars mainly traded in:
A. Textiles and spices
B. Salt and grain
C. Pearls and precious metals
D. All of the above

65. Christian Paravas specialized in:
A. Desert trade
B. Textile weaving only
C. Coastal trading and brokerage
D. Military service

66. Match List I with List II regarding communities and regions.

A. a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
B. a-iii, b-ii, c-iv, d-i
C. a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
D. a-iv, b-iii, c-i, d-ii

67. Golkunda Muslims were particularly prominent in:
A. Punjab caravan trade
B. Gujarat banking
C. Bay of Bengal overseas shipping
D. Himalayan trade

68. Mopilla Muslims were of:
A. Persian origin
B. Turkish origin
C. Central Asian origin
D. Indo-Arab origin

69. Which foreign merchant community was most prominent in Mughal India apart from Europeans?
A. Persians
B. Arabs
C. Iraqis
D. Armenians

70. Armenians traded in commodities such as:
A. Textiles
B. Tobacco
C. Luxury goods
D. All of the above

71. Assertion (A): Foreign merchant communities were active in Mughal commercial centres.
Reason (R): Armenians, Arabs, Khorasanis, and Iraqis frequented Indian markets.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.

72. Armenians were especially settled in:
A. Delhi and Agra only
B. Punjab only
C. Bengal, Bihar, and Gujarat
D. Kashmir only

73. Traditional merchants in northern India commonly performed a dual role as:
A. Priests and soldiers
B. Brokers and artisans
C. Traders and moneylenders
D. Nobles and peasants

74. In villages, Banias lent money mainly to:
A. European traders
B. Soldiers only
C. Nobles only
D. Peasants for payment of land revenue

75. Sarrafs mainly functioned as:
A. Agricultural labourers
B. Revenue collectors only
C. Religious authorities
D. Money changers, bankers, and bullion dealers

76. Match List I with List II regarding functions of Sarrafs.

A. a-iv, b-i, c-iii, d-ii
B. a-iv, b-i, c-iii, d-ii
C. a-ii, b-iii, c-i, d-iv
D. a-i, b-ii, c-iv, d-iii

77. Sarrafs were experts in:
A. Textile weaving
B. Military accounting
C. Judging metallic purity and weight of coins
D. Temple architecture

78. Tavernier observed that even very small villages generally had:
A. A Mughal mint
B. A nobleman
C. A port
D. A money changer or sarraf

79. According to Tavernier, sarrafs also acted as:
A. Priests
B. Revenue inspectors
C. Bankers making remittances and issuing exchange letters
D. Military officers

80. Sarrafs in Mughal mints were responsible for:
A. Road construction
B. Religious administration
C. Checking bullion and coin purity
D. Managing trade caravans

81. Assertion (A): Sarrafs occupied an important place in Mughal economic life.
Reason (R): They acted as money changers, bankers, and experts in coin purity.

A. Both A and R are false.
B. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

82. Sarrafs issued bills of exchange known as:
A. Farmans
B. Nishans
C. Sanads
D. Hundis

83. Dallals in Mughal India were basically:
A. Soldiers
B. Village chiefs
C. Commercial brokers or middlemen
D. Religious teachers

84. Brokers became especially important after:
A. Mughal decline
B. Portuguese conquest
C. Turkish conquest of North India
D. Sikh expansion

85. Foreign merchants depended heavily on brokers mainly because:
A. Brokers financed armies
B. Brokers controlled ports
C. Foreigners lacked local market knowledge and language skills
D. Brokers collected taxes

86. Match List I with List II regarding reasons for rise of brokers.

A. a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
B. a-iii, b-ii, c-iv, d-i
C. a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv
D. a-iv, b-iii, c-i, d-ii

87. Fryer remarked that without brokers:
A. Agriculture would stop
B. Nobles would fail
C. Ports would collapse
D. Neither natives nor foreigners could do business

88. Ovington observed that brokers were generally from which caste?
A. Rajputs
B. Brahmins
C. Khatris
D. Bania caste

89. Around how many brokers were reported by Manrique in Patna (1640)?
A. 100
B. 300
C. 600
D. 1000

90. Larger numbers of brokers were found in centres such as:
A. Surat and Ahmedabad
B. Agra
C. Coastal towns
D. All of the above

91. Indian brokers were also active in foreign ports such as:
A. Gombroon (Bandar Abbas)
B. Basra
C. Bandar Rig
D. All of the above

92. Bhimji Parak is remembered in Mughal commercial history as:
A. A Mughal governor
B. A Portuguese merchant
C. A prominent broker engaged in family partnership business
D. A sarraf in royal mint

93. In Bhimji Parak’s business arrangement, partnership was maintained with:
A. European merchants only
B. Mughal nobles only
C. Village headmen only
D. His brothers with different shares in business

94. A. Jan Qaisar classified brokers into how many broad categories?
A. Two
B. Three
C. Four
D. Five

95. Which among the following was a category of brokers identified by A. Jan Qaisar?
A. Company-employed brokers
B. Independent client brokers
C. State-appointed brokers
D. All of the above

96. Match List I with List II regarding categories of brokers according to A. Jan Qaisar.

A. a-iv, b-ii, c-iii, d-i
B. a-iv, b-ii, c-iii, d-i
C. a-ii, b-i, c-iv, d-iii
D. a-i, b-iii, c-ii, d-iv

97. Independent brokers were often divided according to:
A. Religion
B. Language
C. Commodity specialization
D. Military rank

98. Which commodity was commonly handled by specialized brokers?
A. Silk
B. Indigo
C. Saltpetre
D. All of the above

99. Sub-brokers generally worked:
A. Independently from all commercial structures
B. Only for the Mughal state
C. Under well-established brokers
D. Only in villages

100. Brokerage fees in ordinary transactions were generally around:
A. 1%
B. 2% of transaction value
C. 5%
D. 10%

101. Assertion (A): Brokerage charges in Mughal India were standardized for all commodities.
Reason (R): Fees depended on commodity type and effort required to secure deals.

A. Both A and R are true.
B. A is true, but R is false.
C. A is false, but R is true.
D. Both A and R are false.

102. In ordinary dealings, brokerage was usually charged from:
A. Seller only
B. Buyer only
C. Both buyer and seller (1% each)
D. Mughal treasury only

103. Brokers in regular employment generally received:
A. Only profit-sharing
B. Grain payments only
C. No commissions
D. Fixed salary plus commissions

104. According to English Company records, brokers’ salaries generally ranged between:
A. Rs. 1–5 per month
B. Rs. 5–10 per month
C. Rs. 40–60 per month
D. Rs. 10–38 per month

105. Besides buying and selling, brokers also played an important role in:
A. Military expansion
B. Religious conversions
C. Organizing production through advances (dadni)
D. Coin minting only

106. Dadni system in Mughal trade referred to:
A. State military tax
B. River toll
C. Temple donation
D. Advance payment made to artisans for production

107. Match List I with List II regarding Mughal commercial terms.

A. a-iii, b-i, c-ii, d-iv
B. a-iii, b-i, c-ii, d-iv
C. a-i, b-ii, c-iv, d-iii
D. a-iv, b-iii, c-i, d-ii

108. Which statement best explains the importance of brokers in Mughal commerce?
A. They only maintained tax records
B. They were limited to local markets
C. They linked producers, merchants, and foreign traders
D. They functioned solely as bankers

109. Assertion (A): Foreign merchants depended significantly on Indian brokers.
Reason (R): Brokers understood production centres, commodity rates, and local languages.

A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.