Provincial Kingdoms MCQ: Pala Dynasty, Pratihara Empire & the Tripartite Struggle for Kannauj

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Who described Krishnadeva Raya as the most powerful ruler of India in his autobiography?

   • A.Akbar
   • B.Babur
   • C.Jahangir✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Humayun

   Explanation: Babur in his autobiography (Tuzuk-i-Baburi) described Krishnadeva Raya as the most powerful ruler of India.

2. Q2.Who was the ruler of Vijayanagara during the Battle of Talikota?

   • A.Ramaraya
   • B.Sadashiva Raya
   • C.Tirumala✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Achyuta Deva Raya

   Explanation: During the Battle of Talikota (1565 AD), the ruler was Sadashiva Raya, but the real power was in the hands of his minister Ramaraya.

3. Q3.The Aravidu Dynasty of Vijayanagara was founded by:

   • A.Tirumala
   • B.Venkata II✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Ranga I
   • D.Ramaraya

   Explanation: After the defeat at Talikota, Tirumala dethroned Sadashiva and established the Aravidu Dynasty (1570-1650 AD) with Penukonda as headquarters.

4. Q4.Who established the town of Nagalpur?

   • A.Harihara I
   • B.Devaraya I
   • C.Krishnadeva Raya
   • D.Achyuta Deva Raya✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Krishnadeva Raya established the town of Nagalpur in memory of his mother Nagala Devi.

5. Q5.According to Puranas, which was the first dynasty to rule Magadha?

   • A.Haryanka Dynasty
   • B.Brihadratha Dynasty
   • C.Shishunaga Dynasty✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Nanda Dynasty

   Explanation: According to Puranas, the first dynasty to rule Magadha was 'Brihadratha'. Jarasandha was a king of this dynasty.

6. Q6.Who was the founder of the Pala dynasty?

   • A.Dharmapala
   • B.Devapala
   • C.Gopala
   • D.Mahipala✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Gopala was the founder of the Pala dynasty of Bengal. He was elected by the people to end the state of anarchy.

7. Q7.Who founded the Vikramshila University?

   • A.Gopala
   • B.Dharmapala
   • C.Devapala✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Ramapala

   Explanation: King Dharmapala of the Pala dynasty established the Vikramshila University (770-810 AD) in Bhagalpur, Bihar.

8. Q8.Who wrote the famous book 'Prithviraj Raso'?

   • A.Jayanaka
   • B.Chand Bardai
   • C.Nayanchandra Suri✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Jagnik

   Explanation: Chand Bardai was the court poet of Prithviraj Chauhan and wrote 'Prithviraj Raso', an epic poem about the king's life.

9. Q9.Alha and Udal were related to which place?

   • A.Chanderi
   • B.Vidisha
   • C.Mahoba
   • D.Panna✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Alha and Udal were famous warriors belonging to Mahoba. They were commandants of Chandel King Parmardidev.

10. Q10.Who is the author of 'Prithviraja Vijaya'?

    • A.Chand Bardai
    • B.Jayanaka
    • C.Somadeva✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Merutunga

    Explanation: The author of 'Prithviraja Vijaya' is Jayanaka, a Kashmiri poet in the court of Prithviraj Chauhan.

11. Q11.Jejakabhukti was the ancient name of:

    • A.Baghelkhand
    • B.Bundelkhand
    • C.Malwa✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Vidarbha

    Explanation: Jejakabhukti was the ancient name of Bundelkhand, named after Jay Singh or Jeja, the grandson of the Chandel founder.

12. Q12.Which ruler of Malwa was a contemporary of Akbar and was defeated by him?

    • A.Mahmud Khalji
    • B.Baz Bahadur
    • C.Hoshang Shah✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Dilawar Khan

    Explanation: Baz Bahadur was the ruler of Malwa who was defeated by Akbar's army. He is also known for his love for Rani Rupmati.

13. Q13.Who wrote 'Alha Khand'?

    • A.Chand Bardai
    • B.Jagnik
    • C.Narpati Nalh✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Abdur Rahman

    Explanation: 'Alha Khand' describing the bravery of Alha and Udal was written by Jagnik.

14. Q14.Who was the greatest ruler of the Pratihara dynasty?

    • A.Nagabhatta I
    • B.Vatsaraja
    • C.Mihir Bhoja
    • D.Mahendrapala I✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Mihir Bhoja (836-885 AD) was the most prominent and greatest ruler of the Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty.

15. Q15.The Tripartite Struggle for Kannauj was between which three dynasties?

    • A.Pala, Pratihara, Rashtrakuta
    • B.Chola, Chera, Pandya✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Pala, Sena, Pratihara
    • D.Pratihara, Parmara, Chalukya

    Explanation: The Tripartite Struggle for the control of Kannauj took place between the Palas, the Gurjara-Pratiharas, and the Rashtrakutas.

16. Q16.Who built the 'Kirti Stambha' (Tower of Fame) at Chittor?

    • A.Rana Sanga
    • B.Rana Kumbha
    • C.Rana Pratap✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Rana Uday Singh

    Explanation: Rana Kumbha built the Kirti Stambha (Vijaya Stambha) in Chittor to commemorate his victory over Mahmud Khalji of Malwa.

17. Q17.Which ruler of Gujarat was killed during a scuffle with the Portuguese?

    • A.Mahmud Begada
    • B.Bahadur Shah
    • C.Muzaffar Shah II✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Ahmed Shah

    Explanation: Bahadur Shah, the ruler of Gujarat, drowned and died during a scuffle on a ship with the Portuguese in 1537 AD.

18. Q18.The 'Ayagar' system was a feature of the administration of which empire?

    • A.Chola Empire
    • B.Vijayanagara Empire
    • C.Rajput States✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Bahmani Kingdom

    Explanation: The 'Ayagar' system was a special feature of the village administration in the Vijayanagara Empire, where a group of 12 functionaries managed village affairs.

19. Q19.Who composed the Sanskrit work 'Jambavati Kalyanam'?

    • A.Tenali Rama
    • B.Allasani Peddana
    • C.Krishnadeva Raya
    • D.Nannaya✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Krishnadeva Raya wrote 'Amuktamalyada' in Telugu and 'Jambavati Kalyanam' in Sanskrit.

20. Q20.What was 'Amaram' in the Vijayanagara Empire?

    • A.A type of tax
    • B.Land grants given to military chiefs
    • C.A religious ritual✓ Correct Answer
    • D.A gold coin

    Explanation: In the Vijayanagara Empire, 'Amaram' referred to the territory or land grants given to military chiefs (Nayakas) for their maintenance.