1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalalud- din Khalji.
2. During the reign of Alauddin Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
3. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of the north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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, Alauddin 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 Shamsuddin Iltutmish. Who was a ruler of Slave dynasty and was also able to preserve his kingdom.
Statement 2 is correct: During the reign of Alauddin 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.
For S1, "First invasion under Jalaluddin" assumes nothing came before -- red flag, high probability of being false. Jalaluddin Khalji was the founder of the Khalji dynasty -- so likely early 1290s. But Mongol Empire peaked earlier, under Genghis Khan in early 1200s. That’s a timeline mismatch. Wouldn’t earlier Delhi Sultans like the Slave dynasty (Iltutmish, Balban) have faced Mongol pressure first? Eliminating options A and C.