UGC NET History Practice Question

In 1579, Akbar issued the document drafted by Sheikh Mubarak known as the Mahzar, which declared the Emperor to be:

The final interpreter of Islamic law (Imam-i-Adil) in case of religious disputes among jurists ✓

Divine incarnation of God

Prophet of a new religion

Head of the Caliphate

The 1579 Mahzar declared Akbar the final arbiter (Imam-i-Adil) in disputes among Islamic jurists when the Quran and Hadith gave conflicting guidance — it enhanced his religious authority but did NOT declare him divine or a prophet, a common misconception worth being precise about for the exam.

The architecture of the Qutb Minar complex was initiated by Qutbuddin Aibak and completed by which ruler?

Iltutmish ✓

Balban

Alauddin Khalji

Firoz Shah Tughlaq

Qutbuddin Aibak began construction of the Qutb Minar, and his successor Iltutmish completed most of its remaining storeys — Alauddin Khalji later added the Alai Darwaza gateway to the same complex, and Firoz Shah Tughlaq later repaired storeys damaged by lightning.

The architectural feature known as True Arch (Voussoir arch) was introduced prominently in Indian construction under which Delhi Sultanate structure?

Tomb of Balban ✓

Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque

Arhai Din Ka Jhonpra

Alai Darwaza

Balban's Tomb is generally credited as the earliest surviving example in India of the true (voussoir/radiating) arch and dome construction technique, introduced by the Delhi Sultanate — a genuine structural departure from the indigenous corbelled arch tradition.

The magnificent gateway Alai Darwaza, built in 1311 featuring horseshoe arch and white marble inlay, was constructed by:

Alauddin Khalji ✓

Balban

Muhammad bin Tughlaq

Firoz Shah Tughlaq

Alauddin Khalji built the Alai Darwaza in 1311 as a grand entrance to the Qutb complex, featuring a true horseshoe arch and red sandstone/white marble decorative inlay — considered one of the finest examples of early Indo-Islamic architectural refinement.

The Pietra Dura (inlay work of hard semi-precious stones in marble) was used extensively in Mughal architecture starting prominently during the reign of:

Jahangir and Shah Jahan ✓

Akbar

Babur

Aurangzeb

Pietra Dura (semi-precious stone inlay in marble) became a defining decorative feature of Mughal architecture especially under Jahangir and Shah Jahan — reaching its most famous expression in the Taj Mahal's intricate floral inlay work.

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More Free UGC NET History Practice

This question is part of our free Unit-Wise mock test series, drawn from the same real question bank used across every UGC NET History mock test on this site. For structured, chapter-by-chapter notes covering everything these questions test, see our UGC NET History Notes, or try the History Glossary Flashcard Quiz for daily term-by-term practice.