Society and Culture – UGC NET History – Practice Questions

1. Which among the following groups constituted the upper classes of Hindu society during the medieval period?
A. Jats, Marathas, Banjaras, Ahoms
B. Lingayats, Nairs, Satnamis, Bhils
C. Kayasthas, Rajputs, Brahmans, Vaishyas
D. Gujjars, Kolis, Meenas, Malis
Correct Option: C

2. The Baidyas in medieval Indian society were identified as:
A. A priestly Brahman sub-sect
B. A mixed caste living alongside Brahmanas
C. A Muslim trading community
D. A Rajput military clan
Correct Option: B

3. Which among the following was NOT a characteristic feature of the Mughal nobility?
A. Luxury
B. Drinking
C. Asceticism
D. Conspiracy
Correct Option: C

4. According to Abul Fazl, approximately how many women resided in the imperial harem?
A. 2,000
B. 3,000
C. 4,000
D. 5,000
Correct Option: D

5. The relatively small middle class in medieval India was noted for:
A. Lavish lifestyle equal to nobles
B. Rejection of drinking and debauchery
C. Dependence entirely on agriculture
D. Military service under the Rajputs
Correct Option: B

6. Which region’s merchants were described as fabulously wealthy during the medieval period?
A. Bengal delta
B. Punjab plains
C. Gujarat coast
D. Kashmir valley
Correct Option: C

7. Akbar attempted to prohibit which of the following practices?
A. Child marriage and Sati
B. Widow remarriage and dowry
C. Purdah and slavery
D. Polygamy and harem system
Correct Option: A

8. Dowry was specifically prohibited in:
A. Gujarat
B. Bengal
C. Rajasthan
D. Maharashtra
Correct Option: D

9. Which among the following reflects Hindu-Muslim cultural rapprochement in medieval India?
A. Hindus rejected Sufi saints completely
B. Muslims destroyed all Hindu pilgrimage centres
C. Hindus revered Muslim Pirs and Muslims respected Hindu Yogis
D. Persian replaced all regional languages
Correct Option: C

10. Alwal, known for translating Padmavat into Bengali, was a:
A. Rajput ruler
B. Persian merchant
C. Muhammadan poet
D. Sikh saint
Correct Option: C

11. Slavery during the medieval period was considered:
A. A declining institution due to Bhakti movement
B. A demoralising institution with regular slave trade
C. Restricted only to war captives
D. Abolished by Akbar successfully
Correct Option: B

12. Poor Hindus commonly wore:
A. Pyjamas and long shirts
B. Silk robes and turbans
C. Dhotis tied around the waist
D. Woollen cloaks and caps
Correct Option: C

13. Mehdi was primarily used by medieval women to:
A. Decorate turbans
B. Colour palms and feet
C. Clean ornaments
D. Prepare perfumes
Correct Option: B

14. Chaugan in medieval India referred to:
A. Wrestling
B. Chess
C. Hunting
D. Polo
Correct Option: D

15. Which Mughal ruler prohibited celebrations of festivals like Dipavali?
A. Akbar
B. Jahangir
C. Aurangzeb
D. Shah Jahan
Correct Option: C

16. Which among the following was an important Muslim pilgrimage centre during medieval India?
A. Mathura
B. Kurukshetra
C. Prayag
D. Ajmer
Correct Option: D

17. The purdah system and growing conservatism primarily affected:
A. Trade networks
B. Women’s mobility and status
C. Military recruitment
D. Agricultural productivity
Correct Option: B

18. According to Quranic law mentioned in the passage, a Muslim man could have:
A. Only one wife
B. Two wives maximum
C. Four wives simultaneously
D. Unlimited wives universally
Correct Option: C

19. The Bhakti Movement primarily emphasised:
A. Ritual sacrifices
B. Personal devotion to God
C. Strict caste hierarchy
D. Political conquest
Correct Option: B

20. Which Bhakti saint laid the foundation of Sikhism?
A. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
B. Ramananda
C. Tukaram
D. Guru Nanak
Correct Option: D

21. Sufi saints generally advocated:
A. Ritual orthodoxy
B. Militarism
C. Tolerance and compassion
D. Idol destruction
Correct Option: C

22. Which classical languages flourished during the medieval period?
A. Urdu and Punjabi
B. Persian and Sanskrit
C. Bengali and Marathi
D. Tamil and Telugu
Correct Option: B

23. Mughal painting was primarily organised in:
A. Village guilds
B. Temple schools
C. Royal karkhanas
D. Madrasas
Correct Option: C

24. The Mughal School of painting represented a synthesis of:
A. Greek and Roman styles
B. Persian and Indian styles
C. Chinese and Tibetan styles
D. Arab and Turkish styles
Correct Option: B

25. Which among the following painters became famous for miniature paintings under Jahangir?
A. Daswant
B. Basavan
C. Mansur
D. Mukund
Correct Option: C

26. Which Mughal ruler is regarded as the period when Mughal painting reached its zenith?
A. Babur
B. Jahangir
C. Humayun
D. Aurangzeb
Correct Option: B

27. Which among the following works was illustrated by Mughal painters?
A. Arthashastra
B. Rajatarangini
C. Changeznama
D. Ain-i-Dahsala
Correct Option: C

28. Indo-Islamic architecture is distinguished by:
A. Complete rejection of Indian motifs
B. Adaptation of Indian motifs into Persian styles
C. Exclusive use of marble
D. Absence of domes
Correct Option: B

29. Which architectural feature was introduced prominently through Indo-Islamic architecture?
A. Gopuram
B. Mandapa
C. Arch and dome
D. Stupa
Correct Option: C

30. The Panch Mahal is located at:
A. Sikandra
B. Agra Fort
C. Fatehpur Sikri
D. Lahore
Correct Option: C

31. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.
A. A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
B. A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
C. A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
D. A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
Correct Option: A

32. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.
A. A-1, B-4, C-2, D-3
B. A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
C. A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
D. A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2
Correct Option: B

33. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.
A. A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
B. A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
C. A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4
D. A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2
Correct Option: A

34. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.
A. A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
B. A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
C. A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
D. A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2
Correct Option: B

35. Assertion (A): The Bhakti and Sufi traditions acted as a bridge between Hindus and Muslims.
Reason (R): Both traditions emphasised devotion, tolerance, and interaction with common people.

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.
Correct Option: A