MCQ: Medieval History of Odisha
The medieval period of Odisha’s history is a fascinating era marked by the rise and fall of powerful dynasties, flourishing art and architecture, and significant socio-cultural developments. This period witnessed the rule of the Bhauma-Karas, Somavamsis, Eastern Gangas, and the Suryavamsis, each leaving a lasting imprint on the region’s historical and cultural fabric. From the construction of iconic temples like the Sun Temple at Konark to the promotion of literature and maritime trade, medieval Odisha played a pivotal role in shaping India’s cultural heritage.
To help you grasp the key aspects of this era and excel in competitive exams, we’ve curated a comprehensive set of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on the Medieval History of Odisha. These questions are designed to test your knowledge and provide valuable insights into the region’s rich historical tapestry. Dive in to explore and reinforce your understanding of this intriguing period!
Tagline: Clarity, Strategy, Success
By Objective IAS
1. The Gajapatis were a medieval Hindu dynasty that ruled over Kalinga from
- (a) 1334-1441
- (b) 1434-1467
- (c) 1534-1541
- (d) 1434-1541
2. Who among the following initiated the Ganga dynasty in Odisha?
- (a) Raja Rajadeva I
- (b) Anantavarman Chodagangadeva
- (c) Vajarahasta V
- (d) Kamarnava
3. The kingdom of Odisha reached the zenith of its glory under which dynasty?
- (a) Ganga dynasty
- (b) Bhoi dynasty
- (c) Mukundadeva
- (d) Mughal
4. Which Ganga ruler built the world-famous Konark temple?
- (a) Narasimhadeva I
- (b) Bhanudeva IV
- (c) Chodagangadeva
- (d) Rajarajadeva
5. The great poet Jayadeva flourished during which dynasty in Odisha?
- (a) Gajapati
- (b) Ganga
- (c) Bhoi
- (d) Karrani
6. Who built the well-decorated and sculptured Konark temple?
- (a) Angavimadev I
- (b) Narasimhadeva I
- (c) Narasimhadeva II
- (d) Narasimhadeva III
7. Which of the following Odisha-type Nagara-style temples are found in Bhubaneswar?
- Jagannath temple
- Lingaraja temple
- Sun temple
- Mukteswar temple
- Parasurameswara temple
Choose the correct option:
- (a) 4 and 5
- (b) 2 only
- (c) 2, 4, and 5
- (d) 1, 3, and 5
8. What were the provinces called during the Ganga dynasty in Odisha?
- (a) Dauvarika
- (b) Panchali
- (c) Bhoga
- (d) Visayas
9. Sri Chaitanya, the famous Vaishnava saint of Bengal, visited Odisha during the reign of
- (a) Prataparudra Deva
- (b) Kapilendra Deva
- (c) Chodaganga Deva
- (d) Raja Rajadeva I
10. Which river served as the boundary between the Gajapati Dynasty and the Vijayanagara empire in 1513 CE?
- (a) Godavari
- (b) Mahanadi
- (c) Krishna
- (d) Kaveri
11. Quli Qutb Shah invaded Odisha during the reign of which ruler?
- (a) Prataparudra Deva
- (b) Raghuji Bhonsle I
- (c) Narasimha Deva
- (d) Govinda Vidyadhara
12. The terms Ghunta, Mana, and Bati during the Gajapati Dynasty referred to
- (a) Revenue officers
- (b) Different units of land
- (c) Different taxes
- (d) Provinces
13. The rise of the ‘Sarala Yuga’ in medieval Odisha is considered the most important contribution of which dynasty?
- (a) Ganga Dynasty
- (b) Bhoi Dynasty
- (c) Gajapati Dynasty
- (d) Mughals
14. Who was the founder of the Bhoi dynasty in Odisha?
- (a) Govinda Vidyadhar
- (b) Chakra Pratap
- (c) Janardhan Vidyadhar
- (d) Narasimha Jena
15. Govinda Vidyadhar recognized the river Godavari as the boundary between Golkonda and Odisha through a treaty with
- (a) Sultan of Bengal
- (b) Sultan of Odisha
- (c) Sultan of Golkonda
- (d) Sultan of Maratha
16. When did Mukundadeva ascend the throne of Odisha?
- (a) 1560
- (b) 1562
- (c) 1564
- (d) 1566
17. When did Muslim rule in Odisha begin?
- (a) 1568
- (b) 1578
- (c) 1588
- (d) 1582
18. Who was the first Muslim ruler of Odisha?
- (a) Alla-ud-din Bakhtiyar
- (b) Mohammad Sayyad
- (c) Sulaiman Karrani
- (d) Qutub-ud-Din Aibak
19. Sulaiman Karrani appointed which of the following two governors of Odisha and Puri?
- (a) Nasir and Qutlu Khan
- (b) Mansingh and Qutlu Khan
- (c) Baqar and Taqi Khan
- (d) Lodi and Qutlu Khan
20. In the context of the medieval history of Odisha, who/what was Kalapahar?
- (a) A cruel king of the Gajapati Dynasty
- (b) A high mountain with a temple at the top
- (c) A kind of pilgrimage tax
- (d) A Hindu general of Sulaiman Karrani
21. Odisha was divided into how many sarkars under Akbar’s reign?
- (a) 2
- (b) 3
- (c) 4
- (d) 5
22. Which of the following was not one of the five sarkars under Akbar’s reign?
- (a) Bhadrak
- (b) Cuttack
- (c) Bidar
- (d) Jaleswar
23. Under which Mughal emperor did Odisha become a separate Subah?
- (a) Akbar
- (b) Jahangir
- (c) Shah Jahan
- (d) Aurangzeb
24. Which place in Odisha served as the seat of Mughal administration during Shah Jahan’s reign?
- (a) Khurda
- (b) Cuttack
- (c) Puri
- (d) Ganjam
25. During whose reign did Murshid Quli Khan become the Governor of Odisha?
- (a) Shah Jahan
- (b) Aurangzeb
- (c) Jahangir
- (d) Akbar
26. Who built the Qadam Rasul at Balasore?
- (a) Muhammad Taqi Khan
- (b) Alivardi Khan
- (c) Murshid Quli Khan I
- (d) Suja-ud-din Muhammad
27. Which Naib Nazim attacked the Jagannath temple of Puri?
- (a) Alivardi Khan
- (b) Murshid Quli Khan II
- (c) Suja-ud-din Muhammad
- (d) Muhammad Taqi Khan
28. Odisha was divided into how many broad political divisions under the Marathas?
- (a) 4
- (b) 3
- (c) 2
- (d) 5
29. The pilgrimage tax in Odisha was introduced for the first time by
- (a) Mughals
- (b) Marathas
- (c) Daud Karrani
- (d) Mukundadeva
Answer Key
- (d) 1434-1541
- (c) Vajarahasta V
- (a) Ganga dynasty
- (a) Narasimhadeva I
- (b) Ganga
- (b) Narasimhadeva I
- (c) 2, 4, and 5
- (d) Visayas
- (a) Prataparudra Deva
- (c) Krishna
- (a) Prataparudra Deva
- (b) Different units of land
- (c) Gajapati Dynasty
- (a) Govinda Vidyadhar
- (c) Sultan of Golkonda
- (a) 1560
- (a) 1568
- (c) Sulaiman Karrani
- (d) Lodi and Qutlu Khan
- (d) Hindu general of Sulaiman Karrani
- (d) 5
- (c) Bidar
- (b) Jahangir
- (b) Cuttack
- (b) Aurangzeb
- (a) Muhammad Taqi Khan
- (d) Muhammad Taqi Khan
- (c) 2
- (b) Marathas