Q1. Who among the following is considered the real founder of the Delhi Sultanate for shifting the capital from Lahore to Delhi and securing a letter of investiture from the Abbasid Caliph?
Delhi Sultanate: RAS Prelims MCQs
61 RAS Prelims MCQs on the Delhi Sultanate test dynasties, rulers, reforms and administration. The rise of Aibak, Alauddin Khalji’s conquests and market control, Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s public works, Timur’s invasion and the Lodi dynasty are asked as dates, officials and statements, and the explanations tie each reform to its ruler.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 61 questions
Q2. What was the primary purpose of the Iqta system established during the Delhi Sultanate?
Explanation
The Iqta system was a crucial administrative mechanism designed to manage the payment of military commanders and state officials. Instead of distributing cash salaries from the central treasury, the Sultan assigned specific tracts of land to these officers. They collected land revenue from these territories to maintain themselves and their troops, ensuring a decentralized but loyal military.
Q3. Identify the incorrect statement regarding Qutb-ud-din Aibak.
Explanation
Qutb-ud-din Aibak laid the foundation of the Qutb Minar to honor a Sufi saint, but he only managed to finish the first story before his death. The subsequent three stories were added by his successor, Iltutmish. Aibak was indeed a former slave and was famously known as ‘Lakh Bakhsh’ for his immense charity and benevolence.
Q4. Match List I (Administrative Departments) with
List II (Founding Sultan) and select the correct answer using the codes given below.
List I: (Administrative Departments)
A. Diwan-i-Arz
B. Diwan-i-Riyasat
C. Diwan-i-Kohi
D. Diwan-i-Bandagan
List II: (Founding Sultan)
i. Alauddin Khalji
ii. Firoz Shah Tughlaq
iii. Ghiyasuddin Balban
iv. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
List II (Founding Sultan) and select the correct answer using the codes given below.
List I: (Administrative Departments)
A. Diwan-i-Arz
B. Diwan-i-Riyasat
C. Diwan-i-Kohi
D. Diwan-i-Bandagan
List II: (Founding Sultan)
i. Alauddin Khalji
ii. Firoz Shah Tughlaq
iii. Ghiyasuddin Balban
iv. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Explanation
The administrative structure of the Delhi Sultanate involved several specialized departments created by different rulers. Balban established the military department, while Alauddin Khalji introduced a commerce department to regulate markets. Muhammad bin Tughlaq focused on agricultural development through a specific ministry. Finally, Firoz Shah Tughlaq organized a department dedicated to the welfare and management of the royal slaves.
Q5. The following question consists of two statements -- Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Choose the correct option to describe the relationship between them.
Assertion (A): Balban introduced the rigorous court ceremonies of Sajda and Paibos in the Delhi Sultanate.
Reason (R): Balban wanted to emphasize the divine origin of the Sultan and destroy the power of the Turkan-i-Chahalgani.
Assertion (A): Balban introduced the rigorous court ceremonies of Sajda and Paibos in the Delhi Sultanate.
Reason (R): Balban wanted to emphasize the divine origin of the Sultan and destroy the power of the Turkan-i-Chahalgani.
Explanation
Ghiyasuddin Balban implemented rigorous Persian court rituals to elevate the Sultan’s status above the powerful nobility. By introducing forms of prostration and kissing the monarch’s feet, he asserted the king’s divine right to rule. These measures were specifically intended to break the influence of the Corps of Forty, ensuring that no noble could challenge the central royal authority.
Q6. Which of the following rulers does not belong to the Slave Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate?
Explanation
The Slave Dynasty, also known as the Mamluk Dynasty, included rulers like Aram Shah, Bahram Shah, and Nasir-ud-din Mahmud. These leaders were either slaves themselves or descendants of slaves. Jalal-ud-din Khalji, however, belonged to the Khalji Dynasty, which overthrew the last Mamluk ruler. This event marked a significant change in the ruling elite of the Delhi Sultanate.
Q7. In which year did Alauddin Khalji capture the Ranthambore fort from the Chauhan ruler Hammir Dev?
Explanation
Alauddin Khalji launched a military campaign against the strategic fort of Ranthambore in the early fourteenth century. The fort was defended by the Rajput ruler Hammir Dev Chauhan. After a long and difficult siege, the Sultan succeeded in capturing the fortress in 1301 AD. This victory was a significant step in his expansionist policy across the Indian subcontinent.
Q8. Match List I (Rajputana campaigns of Alauddin Khalji) with List II (Defeated Rulers) and select the correct answer.
| Rajputana campaigns of Alauddin Khalji | Defeated Rulers |
|---|---|
| A. Ranthambore | i. Rawal Ratan Singh |
| B. Chittor | ii. Hammir Dev Chauhan |
| C. Siwana | iii. Kanhad Dev |
| D. Jalore | iv. Sital Dev |
Explanation
During his expansion into Rajasthan, Alauddin Khalji defeated several prominent Rajput rulers.
Q9. Arrange the following campaigns of Alauddin Khalji in correct chronological order:
I. Conquest of Chittor
II. Conquest of Gujarat
III. Conquest of Jalore
IV. Conquest of Ranthambore
Select the correct order from the options given below:
I. Conquest of Chittor
II. Conquest of Gujarat
III. Conquest of Jalore
IV. Conquest of Ranthambore
Select the correct order from the options given below:
Explanation
Alauddin Khalji followed a systematic chronological order in his northern Indian conquests. His military expansion began with the rich province of Gujarat in 1299 AD. This was followed by the siege of Ranthambore in 1301 and then the famous conquest of Chittor in 1303. Finally, he secured control over Jalore in 1311, completing a series of successful campaigns.
Q10. Which officer was appointed by Alauddin Khalji to strictly control the markets of Delhi and ensure goods were sold at fixed prices?
Explanation
To implement his ambitious price control measures, Alauddin Khalji established a highly regulated market system. He appointed a high-ranking official known as the Shahna-i-Mandi to act as the superintendent of each market. This officer was responsible for enforcing fixed prices, preventing hoarding, and ensuring that all transactions followed the Sultan’s strict economic regulations to support the standing army.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) Shams-ud-din Iltutmish |
| 2 | (a) To assign land revenues to military commanders in lieu of cash salaries |
| 3 | (c) He completed the construction of the Qutb Minar in Delhi during his reign. |
| 4 | (a) A-iii, B-i, C-iv, D-ii |
| 5 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 6 | (d) Jalal-ud-din Khalji |
| 7 | (b) 1301 AD |
| 8 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 9 | (a) II, IV, I, III |
| 10 | (d) Shahna-i-Mandi |
Key facts from Delhi Sultanate
- Qutb-ud-din Aibak became independent after Muhammad Ghori was assassinated in 1206.
- Alauddin Khalji captured Ranthambore in 1301 and was the first Sultan to cross the Narmada for southern campaigns.
- Alauddin appointed the Shahna-i-Mandi to control the markets of Delhi and paid his soldiers in cash.
- Under the Iqta system, land revenues were assigned to military commanders in place of cash salaries.
- Timur invaded India and sacked Delhi in 1398; the Lodis founded the first Afghan empire in India.
- Firoz Shah Tughlaq set up a translation department and translated Sanskrit works on medicine and music into Persian.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Delhi Sultanate?
This page has 61 practice MCQs on Delhi Sultanate (Medieval Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What was the Iqta system?
The Iqta system assigned land revenues to military commanders, called Iqtadars, in place of cash salaries. The commander collected the revenue, paid his troops from it and sent the surplus to the Sultan.
Who controlled the markets of Delhi under Alauddin Khalji?
The Shahna-i-Mandi, an officer appointed to supervise the markets and make sure goods were sold at fixed prices. Alauddin’s price control let him maintain a large army on modest cash salaries.
Which dynasty founded the first Afghan empire in India?
The Lodi dynasty, which ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1451 to 1526. Bahlul Lodi founded it, and it ended when Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat.