The Delhi Sultanate: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Medieval History)

Explanation

The Mongol invasions of India, particularly during the Delhi Sultanate, began in the early 13th century under Genghis Khan and continued through the 14th century. The invasions targeted northern India, with significant assaults during the reigns of Iltutmish, Ala-ud-din Khalji, and Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq. Despite several incursions, the Mongols did not establish permanent control over Indian territories.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The first Mongol invasion of Indiatook place in the reign of Sultan Shams-ud-din Iltutmish. Who was a ruler of Slave dynasty and was also able to preserve his kingdom.

Statement 2 is correct: During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, Mongols attacked and pillaged not only the surrounding areas, but Delhi itself. Alauddin formed a large standing army for conquest and defense, but the Mongols attacked during his Chittor siege.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq faced several Mongol invasions during his reign but he successfully defended his kingdom against them and did not lose any territory to the Mongols. In some cases, he even launched counterattacks and drove the Mongols out of the region.

Explanation

The ’Kulah-Daran’ are a group of Persian immigrants who lived in India in the eleventh century. "Kulah-Daran" literally translates to "hat-wearers" and was used to describe people who wore a specific kind of Persian cap called a "kulah." The Sayyids (1414 to 1451 AD) were known as ‘Kulah Daran’ during the Delhi sultanate. They were the fourth ruling family of the Delhi Sultanate established by Khizr khan. Other dynasties of the Dehi Sultanate are:

Mamluks (AD 1206-AD 1290) The Khaljis (AD 1290-AD 1320) The Tughlaqs (AD 1320-AD 1412) The Lodis (AD 1451-AD 1526).

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: In the pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince, Changez Khan arrived in India during the reign of Iltutmish. By denying shelter to Prince Jalaluddhin of Central Asia, Iltutmish protected India from Changez Khan’s fury.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The period of Muhammad bin Tughlaq was from 1325 to 1351. Taimur invaded India during the reign of Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah Tughluq (1394-1412), the last Tughlaq ruler.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala in 1498, but Deva Raya II ruled the Vijayanagara Empire earlier, from 1424 to 1446. At the time of his arrival, the ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire was Krishnadevaraya (reigned 1509-1529).

Explanation

The Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526) was a series of Muslim dynasties that ruled over large parts of the Indian subcontinent. It marked the introduction of Islamic governance and administration in India.

Statement 1 is correct: In the land revenue system of the Delhi Sultanate, the central government appointed amil to collect revenues in each subdivision called Amil.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Iqta system of land control was first introduced in the Delhi Sultanate by Iltutmish. The institution known by its Arabic name, iqta, had existed in the early Islamic world as a means of rewarding services to the state. In the administration of the Caliphate, it served as a means of funding operations and compensating civil and military leaders. It was not an ancient indigenous institution.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The office of Mir Bakshi was established under the Mughal empire, who was head of the military department, nobility, information and intelligence agencies.

Explanation

Muhammad bin Tughlaq (reigned 1325-1351) was a controversial Sultan of Delhi known for his ambitious yet often failed policies, including the introduction of token currency and the shifting of the capital to Daulatabad. While his reforms aimed at modernizing administration, they led to economic instability and widespread discontent. Assertion (A) is correct: Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced a variety of coins during his reign, including a gold coin referred to as the Dinar by Ibn Batutah. His interest in monetary innovations is well-documented. Reason (R) is incorrect: Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s plan to introduce token currency was implemented using copper and brass coins, not gold. The intention behind issuing token currency was to address a shortage of precious metals and not to promote trade with West Asian and North African countries.

Explanation

The Lodi Dynasty (1451-1526) was the last Afghan ruling dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. It was founded by Bahlol Lodi, Which marked the beginning of Afghan rule in Delhi, and ended with the defeat of Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat, which led to the establishment of the Mughal Empire.

Option (c) is correct The correct chronological order of the rulers of the Lodi dynasty are as follows:

Bahlol Khan Lodi (1451-1489) established Afghan rule in Delhi after overthrowing the Sayyid Dynasty. Sikandar Shah Lodi (1489-1517)was son of Bahlol Lodi. He is known for administrative efficiency and establishing the city of Agra in 1504. Ibrahim Lodi (1517-1526) was son of Sikandar Lodi.His defeat by Babur at the First Battle of Panipat (1526) marked the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the beginning of the Mughal Empire.

Explanation

Tughlaq dynasty (1320-1413) which was the third ruling dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate was founded by the Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq who was commonly referred to as Ghazi Malik. Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah, another name for Mahmud Shah Tughluq was the final sultan of the Tughlaq dynasty to govern the Islamic Delhi Sultanate. The list of rulers who ruled the Tughlaq dynasty are:

Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq - 1320-25 Muhammed Bin Tuglaq - 1325-51 Feroz Shah Tughlaq - 1351-88 Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq shah II 1388-1390 Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah 1390-1394 Mahmud Shah Tughlaq 1394-1412

Explanation

Qutb-ud-Din Aibak (1206-1210 AD) was the first Sultan of Delhi and the founder of the Mamluk dynasty. Aibak’s notable achievements include the construction of the Qutb Minar in Delhi, which is a symbol of Islamic architecture, and his efforts to consolidate control over northern India by defeating Rajput kingdoms and expanding his empire.

Option (d) is correct: Qutb-ud-din Aibak died in 1210 CE from a fatal accident while playing Chaugan (a Persian-origin game similar to polo). He fell from his horse during the match in Lahore and succumbed to his injuries. His death was accidental and occurred during a leisure activity, not due to treachery or battle. Other important rulers of the Mamluk dynasty are:

Shamsuddin Iltutmish 1210 - 1236 AD Raziyya Sultan - 1236 - 1240 AD Ghiyasuddin Balban - 1266 - 1287 AD

Explanation

Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325-1351) was a highly ambitious Sultan of Delhi, known for his bold and often impractical reforms. His policies like introduction of token currency and the shift of capital to Daulatabad was aimed at centralizing administration but led to economic chaos and unrest. Assertion (A) is true: Swarg Dwari was a temporary camp or encampment established by Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi. Reason (R) is true: Muhammad bin Tughlaq left Delhi and resided in Swarg Dwari for approximately two years (1334-1335) due to the devastating effects of the bubonic plague, which had ravaged the city and killed nearly half of his army. Thus R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation

Zia-ud-Din Barani (1285-1357) was a prominent historian and political thinker during the period of Tughlaq Dynasty. His most famous work, "Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi", chronicles the history of the Delhi Sultanate and provides valuable insights into the political and social conditions of the time. He advocated a theocratic system of governance, where Islamic law would guide the state’s policies.

Option (c) is correct:

The Sultans of Delhi, frequently made decisions based on political and administrative pragmatism rather than strictly following Islamic laws. He argued that the state was not "truly Islamic" because the Sultans often supplemented or modified Sharia (Islamic law) with their own administrative and secular regulations (Zawabit).