The Delhi Sultanate: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Medieval History)
3 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on The Delhi Sultanate (Medieval History). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–3 of 3 questions
UPSC 1998Medieval History · The Delhi Sultanate
Q1. Fawazil in the Sultanate period meant:
Explanation
Fawazil was the surplus or excess revenue collected by the Iqtadars beyond their prescribed share and remitted to the central treasury, ensuring financial accountability and contributing to the Sultanate’s centralized economy. Sikandar Lodhi (1489 to 1517) of the Lodi dynasty abolished the practice of sending "fawazil" to the central treasury. This move by Sikandar Lodi was part of his efforts to consolidate his power and reduce the financial control of the central government over the military officials, allowing them greater autonomy.
UPSC 1998Medieval History · The Delhi Sultanate
Q2. Sultan of Delhi who is reputed to have built the biggest network of canals in India was:
Explanation
Firoz Shah Tughlaq (reigned 1351-1388 AD) was one of the most prominent rulers of the Tughlaq dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. His reign is remembered for a number of reforms and infrastructural developments. He is credited with building the largest and most significant canal network during this period, aimed at boosting agriculture and ensuring water availability. The Britisher used to call him the Father of the Irrigation Department because of the many gardens and canals he built like the canal connecting the Yamuna to Hissar city; Satluj to the Ghaggar, etc.
UPSC 1998Medieval History · The Delhi Sultanate
Q3. Assertion (A): At first, the Turkish administration in India was essentially military. Reason (R): The country was parcelled out as ‘Iqtas’ among leading military leaders.
Explanation
Assertion is correct: The early Turkish rulers in India relied heavily on their military to establish and maintain control over the region. The Delhi Sultanate was founded on military conquest, and the rulers relied on military commanders for administrative control. During this time, the sultanate’s governance was largely militarized, and military leaders had significant power and influence over the territory. Reason is true: The concept of Iqta was introduced in India during the rule of Shams-ud-Din Iltutmish (r. 1211-1236). An Iqta was a land grant that was given to military leaders in return for their service. These military leaders, often called Iqtadars, were in charge of the administration of the land within their assigned Iqta and were responsible for maintaining law and order, collecting revenue, and providing military support to the Sultan. The system of Iqta created a decentralized form of administration, where military leaders had significant autonomy within their assigned territories. Thus, Reason (R) correctly explains the Assertion (A).
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
1998
(c) excess amount paid to the exchequer by the Iqtadars
2
1998
(c) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
3
1998
(a) Both A and R are true but R is the correct explanation of A
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on The Delhi Sultanate?
This page covers 3 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on The Delhi Sultanate (Medieval History), asked from 1997 to 2022. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for The Delhi Sultanate?
Questions on The Delhi Sultanate (Medieval History) are available for 11 years, from 1997 to 2022. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
