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 21–30 of 61 questions
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q21. Match List I (Literary Works) with List II (Authors) and select the correct answer.
Literary Works
Authors
A. Tabaqat-i-Nasiri
i. Amir Khusrau
B. Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi
ii. Minhaj-us-Siraj
C. Khazain-ul-Futuh
iii. Hasan Nizami
D. Taj-ul-Maasir
iv. Ziauddin Barani
Explanation
The history of the Delhi Sultanate is documented in several contemporary literary works written by various scholars. Minhaj-us-Siraj authored a comprehensive history during the early period, while Ziauddin Barani provided a detailed account of the later dynasties. Amir Khusrau wrote about the conquests of the Khaljis, and Hasan Nizami recorded the initial years of Turkish rule in his famous text.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q22. Find the odd one out among the following terms related to the Delhi Sultanate economy.
Explanation
The currency system of the Delhi Sultanate primarily consisted of coins like the silver Tanka and the copper Jital introduced by Iltutmish. Later rulers added smaller denominations such as the Adha and the Bikh. The Dam, however, was a copper coin introduced much later by Sher Shah Suri and standardized during the Mughal period, making it distinct from Sultanate coinage.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q23. Which of the following is considered the most appropriate reason for the decline of the Delhi Sultanate in the 15th century?
Explanation
The Delhi Sultanate faced several internal and external challenges that led to its eventual downfall. One of the most critical factors was the lack of a clearly defined and codified law of succession. This absence frequently resulted in violent civil wars among princes and nobles after a Sultan’s death. Such instability weakened the central authority, allowing provincial governors to declare independence.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q24. Consider the following architectural monuments: I. Alai Darwaza II. Tomb of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq III. Hauz Khas IV. Siri Fort Which of the above architectural projects belong to the reign of Alauddin Khalji?
Explanation
Alauddin Khalji was a prolific builder who introduced significant innovations in Indo- Islamic architecture. His major projects included the grand Alai Darwaza, which served as a gateway, and the fortified city of Siri. He also constructed the Hauz Khas tank to meet the water needs of the growing population.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q25. The following question consists of two statements -- Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Choose the correct option to describe the relationship between them. Assertion (A): Alauddin Khalji abolished the Jagir system and started paying his soldiers in cash. Reason (R): He needed to maintain a massive standing army to defend against Mongol invasions and expand his empire, which required direct control over state revenues.
Explanation
Alauddin Khalji paid his soldiers in cash and abolished the Jagir system for them. He did so because he kept a large standing army to meet Mongol attacks and to expand, which needed direct control over revenue, so R explains A.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q26. Arrange the following monuments in the correct chronological order of their construction: I. Siri Fort II. Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque III. Lodi Gardens (Tombs) IV. Tughlaqabad Fort Select the correct order from the options given below:
Explanation
The Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque dates from the late twelfth century, Siri Fort from Alauddin Khalji (about 1303), Tughlaqabad from Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (1321) and the Lodi tombs from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The order is II, I, IV, III.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q27. Consider the following statements about Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s administration: I. He created the Diwan-i-Khairat to provide financial help for the marriage of poor Muslim girls. II. He established a public works department for the construction of canals and cities. III. He strictly banned the system of slavery and disbanded the royal karkhanas. IV. He imposed the Sharb (irrigation tax) on farmers utilizing state canals. Which of the combinations of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Firoz Shah Tughlaq set up the Diwan-i-Khairat, built canals and cities through a public works department and levied the Sharb irrigation tax. He did not ban slavery, since he greatly increased the number of slaves, so III is incorrect.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q28. Who was the famous poet at the court of Alauddin Khalji, credited with the creation of the Sitar and Tabla, and often called the ‘Parrot of India’?
Explanation
Amir Khusrau, the court poet of Alauddin Khalji, is called the Parrot of India (Tuti-e-Hind). Tradition credits him with creating the Sitar and Tabla.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q29. Match List I (Travelers) with List II (Sultan during their visit) and select the correct answer.
Travelers
Sultan during their visit
A. Ibn Battuta
i. Mahmud of Ghazni
B. Marco Polo
ii. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
C. Abdur Razzaq
iii. Jalaluddin Khalji / Pandyan Kingdom era
D. Al-Biruni
iv. Deva Raya II (Vijayanagara)
Explanation
Ibn Battuta visited India in the time of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Marco Polo came when Jalaluddin Khalji ruled in the north and the Pandyas in the south, Abdur Razzaq visited Vijayanagara under Deva Raya II and Al-Biruni came with Mahmud of Ghazni. This gives A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q30. Which among the following is an odd one out regarding the cities founded by Firoz Shah Tughlaq?
Explanation
Firoz Shah Tughlaq was a prolific founder of cities, establishing numerous urban centers such as Jaunpur, Hisar, and Fatehabad during his long reign. These cities were often named after himself or his family members. In contrast, Tughlaqabad was a massive fortified city built by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, the founder of the dynasty, to serve as a defensive stronghold against Mongol invasions.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
21
(a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii
22
(c) Dam
23
(a) The absence of a codified law of succession leading to civil wars and regional independence.
24
(b) I, III and IV only
25
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
26
(a) II, I, IV, III
27
(b) I, II and IV only
28
(b) Amir Khusrau
29
(a) A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i
30
(a) Tughlaqabad
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.
