Islamic Studies/Islamiat (Competitive Exams) MCQs
Topic Notes: Islamic Studies/Islamiat (Competitive Exams)
<p>MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.</p>
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
31
The Abbasid 'Dinar' and 'Dirham' coins were used as standard currency from:
Answer:
The Atlantic to the Indus
Abbasid currency was highly valued for its purity and consistency. It circulated widely across the Silk Road and the Mediterranean, serving as a global reserve currency during the early Middle Ages.
32
The 'Mustansiriya Madrasah', one of the oldest universities in the world, was founded in Baghdad in 1227 by:
Answer:
Al-Mustansir
Caliph al-Mustansir built this magnificent institution to teach the four Sunni schools of law alongside medicine and mathematics. The building still stands today in Baghdad as a testament to late Abbasid patronage.
33
Who was the Abbasid caliph when the Seljuk Turks first took control of Baghdad in 1055?
Answer:
Al-Qa'im
Caliph al-Qa'im welcomed Tughril Beg into Baghdad to liberate the caliphate from the Shia Buyid control. This marked the beginning of the 'Great Seljuk' era of protection over the Abbasids.
34
The Abbasid Caliphate's taxation system relied on the 'Qisma', which meant:
Answer:
A share of the actual crop produced (proportionate tax)
Unlike the fixed land tax (Kharaj) of the Umayyads, the Abbasids often used a system where the government took a percentage of the actual yield. This was fairer for farmers during bad harvests but required a more complex bureaucracy to manage.
35
Which of these crops was NOT introduced or significantly spread during the 'Islamic Agricultural Revolution' of the Abbasid era?
Answer:
Potatoes
Potatoes are native to the Americas and were only introduced to the Old World centuries later. The Abbasid period, however, saw the spread of 'Old World' crops like rice, citrus, and sugar cane through advanced irrigation and trade networks.
36
The 'Saffarid' dynasty, which rose in Sistan (Iran), was founded by a former:
Answer:
Coppersmith (Ya'qub ibn al-Layth al-Saffar)
The Saffarids were one of the first dynasties to successfully challenge Abbasid central authority in the East. Their founder, Ya'qub, rose from humble origins as a coppersmith to become a powerful warlord and governor.
37
The 'Siege of Baghdad' in 812–813 CE was a part of the civil war between:
Answer:
Al-Amin and Al-Ma'mun
This siege was the climax of the war between the brothers. It lasted for over a year and caused massive damage to the beautiful city Al-Mansur had built, symbolizing the high cost of dynastic instability.
38
The 'Astrolabe', a key tool for navigation and astronomy, was significantly improved by scholars in:
Answer:
Baghdad
Abbasid astronomers in Baghdad refined the astrolabe for measuring time, determining the Qibla, and calculating the positions of celestial bodies. Scholars like Al-Fazari and the female astronomer Maryam al-Asturlabi were key figures in this development.
39
Which Abbasid Caliph successfully defended Baghdad against the Seljuk Turks in 1157, briefly asserting independence?
Answer:
Al-Muqtafi
Caliph al-Muqtafi was a capable military leader who managed to repel a Seljuk siege of Baghdad. This victory allowed the caliphs to rule directly over Iraq for about a century before the Mongol invasion.
40
The 'Minaret of Jam' in Afghanistan was built by which dynasty that rose during the later Abbasid period?
Answer:
The Ghurids
The Ghurids were one of the many eastern dynasties that rose as Abbasid power fragmented. The Minaret of Jam is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of Islamic brickwork and calligraphy from the 12th century.