Indo-Islamic Architecture MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Indo-Islamic Architecture - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is Fatehpur Sikri.

• Akbar commissioned the construction of a white marble tomb for Shaikh Salim Chishti next to the majestic Friday mosque at Fatehpur Sikri.
• The Mosque is also known as Jama Masjid.
• The gateway to this tomb is known as Buland Darwaza (The door of victory).
• It was built in 1575 A.D. to commemorate Akbar's victory over Gujarat.
• Buland Darwaza is the highest gateway in the world and is an example of Mughal architecture.

Additional Information

• The city Fatehpur Sikri itself was founded as the capital of the Mughal Empire in 1571 by Emperor Akbar.
• It served this role from 1571 to 1585.
• Akbar abandoned it due to a campaign in Punjab and was later completely abandoned in 1610. 
• Fatehpur Sikri is currently a town in the Agra District of Uttar Pradesh.

The correct answer is Aurangzeb.

Key Points

• Mughal Ghat of Farrukhabad along river Ganga was constructed by Emperor Aurangzeb.
• Mughal Architecture:
  •  The Mughals were great patrons of art and architecture. Under them, architecture regained its place for importance as buildings were built with great vision and artistic inspiration.
  • Babur:
    • First to start the Mughal style architecture in India.
    • Babur introduced Charbagh Style Architecture.
  • Humayun:
    • A stagnant phase of architecture, as not many developments happened in this period.
  • Akbar:
    • Akbar took a keen interest in the development of art and architecture.
    • The use of red sandstone was prominent in this period.
    • He introduced the use of the ‘Tudor arch’ (four-centered arch).
  • Jahangir:
    • Jahangir was more focused on Arts and Literature.
    • Because of which this Architecture took a back seat.
  • Shahjahan:
    • It is called the Golden Age of Architecture of Mughal.
  • Aurangzeb:
    • Architecture in a declining phase.
  • Muhammad Azam Shah:
    • The last Mughal ruler to contribute to architecture 

The correct answer is Taj Mahal.

Key Points

• Mehtab Bagh is a garden complex situated on the northern side of the Yamuna River, directly opposite the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
• It was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Babur as one of the last Mughal gardens of his reign.
• Mehtab Bagh is perfectly aligned with the Taj Mahal, offering stunning views of the monument, particularly during moonlit nights.
• This garden was initially designed as a part of the larger Taj Mahal complex to enhance its aesthetic appeal.
• The garden was constructed using traditional Persian-style architecture, a hallmark of Mughal landscaping.

Additional Information

• Taj Mahal:
  • The Taj Mahal, located in Agra, was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 to house the tomb of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
  • It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
  • The structure is built primarily with white marble and features intricate inlay work using semi-precious stones.
  • The Taj Mahal complex includes a mosque, guesthouse, and several Mughal gardens, such as Mehtab Bagh.
• Mughal Gardens:
  • Mughal gardens are characterized by symmetry, flowing water, and geometric patterns inspired by Persian architecture.
  • Examples include Shalimar Bagh in Kashmir, Nishat Bagh, and the gardens surrounding Humayun’s Tomb.
  • These gardens often feature raised platforms, pavilions, fountains, and lush greenery.
• Persian-style Architecture:
  • Persian architecture heavily influenced Mughal structures, emphasizing symmetry, intricate carvings, and water channels.
  • Gardens in Persian architecture represent paradise, with flowing water and lush greenery symbolizing eternal life.
• Agra:
  • Agra is known for its historical monuments, including the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri.
  • The city served as a capital during the reign of the Mughal Empire.

The correct answer is Humayun's Tomb in Delhi.

Key Points

• Humayun's Tomb is recognized as the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent.
• It was commissioned by Humayun's first wife, Bega Begum (also known as Haji Begum) in 1569-70.
• The tomb was designed by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas.
• This architectural marvel is located in Nizamuddin East, Delhi, India.
• Humayun's Tomb served as an inspiration for several major architectural innovations, including the Taj Mahal.

Additional Information

• Architectural Significance
  • Humayun's Tomb is a fine example of Mughal architecture, which combines Persian and Indian styles.
  • The use of red sandstone and white marble was pioneering for Mughal structures.
  • Its charbagh (four-quartered) garden layout became a blueprint for future Mughal gardens.
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Humayun's Tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993.
  • The site was praised for its cultural significance and exemplary preservation of Mughal architecture.
• Restoration Efforts
  • The Aga Khan Trust for Culture has undertaken significant restoration work on the tomb and its gardens.
  • Efforts have been made to restore the original water channels and pathways within the charbagh.
• Influence on Later Structures
  • Humayun's Tomb influenced the design of later Mughal structures, including the Taj Mahal.
  • The tomb's double-dome structure and high arches became a staple in Mughal architecture.

The correct answer is Mahmud Sultan Mahmud Khilji.

Key Points

• The Buland Darwaza at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah was built by Mahmud Sultan Mahmud Khilji, a ruler of the Malwa Sultanate, during his reign in the 15th century.
• It was constructed to honor the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, who is highly revered in Islam and credited for spreading Sufism in India.
• The Buland Darwaza is known for its stunning Indo-Islamic architectural style, which combines Persian and Indian design elements.
• The monument serves as a gateway to the holy shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, a site visited by millions of devotees every year.
• The term "Buland Darwaza" translates to "High Gate," symbolizing its grandiose structure and spiritual significance.

Additional Information

• Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti:
  • He was a prominent Sufi saint and founder of the Chishti Order in India, known for his teachings of love, tolerance, and humanity.
  • His shrine, located in Ajmer, Rajasthan, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Muslims and people of other faiths alike.
• Malwa Sultanate:
  • The Malwa Sultanate was an independent medieval kingdom in the Malwa region, established in the early 15th century.
  • Mahmud Khilji was one of its most prominent rulers, known for his patronage of architecture and arts.
• Architectural Features of Buland Darwaza:
  • It is constructed using red sandstone with intricate carvings and calligraphy in Persian.
  • The gateway exhibits a perfect blend of Islamic and Indian architectural styles.
• Importance of Ajmer Sharif Dargah:
  • The Ajmer Sharif Dargah is a symbol of communal harmony and attracts pilgrims from diverse religious backgrounds.
  • The annual Urs festival, commemorating the death anniversary of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, is a major event attended by thousands.

The Correct Answer is Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah.

Key Points

• Qutab-ud-din Aibak:
  • Qutab-ud-din Aibak was the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, ruled from 1206 to 1210 AD.
  • He constructed a Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque at Delhi and Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra at Ajmer.
  • He initiated the construction of Qutb Minar and was completed by Iltutmish.
  • He died in 1210 while playing Chaugan or Polo.
• Iltutmish (1211-1236):
  • He succeeded to the throne after Qutub-ud-din-Aibak.
  • He was the third ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, belonging to the Mamluk dynasty.
  • He constituted a corp of forty loyal slave Amirs known as Turkan-i-Chihalgani also called Chalisa.
  • He introduced the silver coin (tanka) and copper coin (Jittal).
  • He made Delhi the capital in place of Lahore. 
• Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah (1580-1612):
  • He was the fifth sultan of the Qutub Shahi dynasty of Golkonda
  • He founded the city of Hyderabad, in South-central India and built its architectural centerpiece, the Charminar. 
  • He founded the city of Hyderabad and named it as Bhagyanagar after his Hindu mistress Bhagamati.
  • The Charminar was built by him, in 1591 to commemorate the end of the plague in the city, in Indo Islamic style of architecture.

The correct answer is Aurangzeb.

Key Points

• Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) was built by Aurangzeb in 1659-60.
• Moti Masjid is located at the Red Fort Complex in New Delhi.
• It was made using white marble.

• Moti Masjid of Agra built by Shah Jahan. 

Additional Information 

List of Monuments built by Mughal emperors.

The correct answer is Kashmir.

Key Points

• The Mughal emperor Jahangir built the Shalimar Garden in the outskirts of Srinagar city in Jammu and Kashmir.
• The Shalimar Garden in the northeast of Dal Lake in the outskirts of Srinagar city in Jammu and Kashmir is also known as Shalimar Gardens, Farah Baksh, and Faiz Baksh.

Important Points

• This garden was built by the Mughal emperor Jahangir to please his queen Nur Jahan.
• The Shalimar Garden is also referred to as the "Crown of Srinagar".

Additional Information

• The Shalimar Garden is located at a distance of 25 Kms from Sheikh ul Alam International Airport Srinagar and a distance of 22 km from Srinagar Railway Station.
• It is at a distance of only 14 Kilometres from the famous Lal Chowk where Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, unfurled the Indian national flag in 1948.

The correct option is 1 i.e Taj Mahal.

Key Points

Pietra dura

• Pietra dura, the inlay technique of architecture can be found in Taj Mahal.
• Pietra dura also called as "parchin kari", is a term for the inlay technique of using cut and fitted, highly polished colored stones to create images.
• This technique was first used in 16th century in Rome and later developed in Florence, Italy.
• Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of world.
• Tajmahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in Agra between 1631-1648.

The correct answer is Twelfth.

Key Points

• Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque is situated in the Qutb complex in Delhi.
• It was built by Qutub-ud-din-Aibak in 1193 AD.
• The Quwwat-ul-Islam is best known for its tower of victory, celebrating the Muslim conquest of India.
• It is an intricately designed structure built on the principles of construction and ornamentation which was another feature of Islamic architecture.

• Qutub-ud-din Aibak:
  • ​He was the founder of the Slave dynasty.
  • He made Lahore the capital and later Delhi.
  • He was also known as 'Lakh Baksh' or giver of lakhs for his magnanimity, as he gave a lot of liberal donations. 
  • He started the construction of the Qutub Minar in the memory of Khawaja Qutubuddin Bhaktiyar Kaki but could complete only the first storey. 
  • Aibak is known for having commissioned the Qutb Minar in Delhi, and the Adhai Din Ka Jhopra in Ajmer.
• Iltutmish got recognition as the Muslim Sultan of India by the Khalifa of Baghdad,

The correct answer is Karnataka.

• Gol Gumbaz, the tomb of Adil Shah, is situated in Karnataka.

Key Points

• Gol Gumbaz is situated in Bijapur, Karnataka.
• Gol Gumbaz built by Mohammad Adil Shah is the largest masonry dome in the world.

Important Points

• Adil Shahis of Bijapur (1490 AD-1686 AD)
  • It was founded by Yusuf Adil Shah.
  • It was annexed by Aurangzeb.
  • Mohammed Adil Shah was the seventh ruler of Bijapur.
  • The greatest ruler of the kingdom was Ibrahim Adil Shah.
  • He introduced Dakini in place of the Persian language.

Additional Information

• Adil Shahis belonged to the Bahamani Kingdom.
• Bahamani Kingdom
  • The Bahamani kingdom of Deccan was founded by Hasan Gangu.
  • The capital was Gulbarga.
  • Hasan Gangu took the title of Alauddin Hasan Bahaman Shah and became the first king of Bahaman in 1347 AD.

The correct answer is Shah Jahan.

Key Points

• The period of Shah Jahan’s reign is widely considered to be the golden age of Mughal architecture. He commissioned many monuments and they are:
• Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Jama Masjid (Agra and Delhi), Moti Masjid (Agra Fort).
• Jama Masjid was built between 1644 and 1656.
• Shah Jahan was the 5th Mughal Emperor.

Additional Information

Jama Masjid (Agra)

• Jama Masjid is located just opposite the Agra fort.
• It was dedicated to his daughter, Jahanara Begum.
• Jama Masjid is also known as the 'Friday mosques'.
• Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India.
• The Jama Masjid is built mainly of red sandstone and marble that stand as a testimony to the magnificent Mughal architecture.
• It has a fountain at the centre and is supported by four kiosks in the courtyard.
• The interior walls have scriptures in the Persian style praising Shah Jahan and Jahan Ara.
• The inlaid panels of work here are quite similar to that of the Taj Mahal and are common to all the monuments and structures built by the Mughals in Agra.
• The Tomb of Salim Chisti is a part of the mosque compound.

Red Fort

• Red Fort is located in Old Delhi was built by Shah Jahan in 1638.
• Red Fort is also known as Lal Qila.
• The Red sandstone walls of the massive Red Fort rise 33-m above the clamour of Old Delhi as a reminder of the magnificent power and pomp of the Mughal emperors.
• Lahori Gate is the main entrance to the Red Fort.
• Shah Jahan Shifted the capital from Agra to Delhi.

Agra Fort

• Agra Fort is located in Agra.
• The construction of the Agra fort was started around 1565, when the initial structures were built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, and subsequently taken over by his grandson Shah Jahan, who added most of the marble creations to the fort. 
• It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty till 1638 when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi.
• The Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

​Important Points

The correct answer is Fatehpur Sikri.

• Akbar commissioned the construction of a white marble tomb for Shaikh Salim Chishti next to the majestic Friday mosque at Fatehpur Sikri.
• The Mosque is also known as Jama Masjid.
• The gateway to this tomb is known as Buland Darwaza (The door of victory).
• It was built in 1575 A.D. to commemorate Akbar's victory over Gujarat.
• Buland Darwaza is the highest gateway in the world and is an example of Mughal architecture.

Additional Information

• The city Fatehpur Sikri itself was founded as the capital of the Mughal Empire in 1571 by Emperor Akbar.
• It served this role from 1571 to 1585.
• Akbar abandoned it due to a campaign in Punjab and was later completely abandoned in 1610. 
• Fatehpur Sikri is currently a town in the Agra District of Uttar Pradesh.

The correct answer is option 3, i.e. Qutubuddin Aibak.

Qutub Minar:

• It is a tall minaret situated in New Delhi, the capital city of India.
• The height of this minaret is 72.5 meters and the diameter of its base is 14.3 meters.
• In the first three storeys of red sandstone is used, while the fourth and fifth storeys are made up of marble and sandstone.
• The foundation stone of this minaret was laid down by Qutubuddin Aibak in 1192 and could complete its two storeys only.
• In 1220, Iltutmish added to it two more storeys and was completed by Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1368.
• Sher Shah Suri built an entrance to this minaret.
• Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque in India, is located near its base.

The correct answer is 73

Key Points

• Qutab Minar is a soaring, 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak. 
• The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top.
• The first three storeys are made of red sandstone the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone.

Additional Information

• At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque.
• An inscription over its eastern gate provocatively informs that it was built with material obtained from demolishing '27 Hindu temples'. 
• A 7 m-high iron pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque.