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 31–40 of 61 questions
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q31. Consider the following statements about Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq: I. He was the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty. II. He built the fortified city of Tughlaqabad. III. He had bitter relations with the Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya. IV. He abolished the Iqta system entirely to centralize military command. Which of the combinations of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq founded the Tughlaq dynasty and focused on restoring order after the Khalji period. He built the formidable city of Tughlaqabad as a defense against invaders. His reign was marked by a tense relationship with the famous Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya. However, he did not abolish the Iqta system; instead, he refined it to ensure a more stable revenue collection process.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q32. The following question consists of two statements -- Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Choose the correct option to describe the relationship between them. Assertion (A): Muhammad bin Tughlaq shifted his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (Devagiri). Reason (R): He wanted a central location to efficiently administer and control the newly conquered territories in South India.
Explanation
Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s decision to move the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad was a strategic attempt to govern his vast empire more effectively. He believed that a more centrally located capital would allow for better administrative control over the newly conquered and distant southern territories. This move was intended to bridge the geographical gap between northern and southern India as he expanded.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q33. Which of the following structures was NOT commissioned by Alauddin Khalji?
Explanation
Alauddin Khalji contributed significantly to the architectural landscape of Delhi with structures like the Alai Darwaza, the Siri Fort, and the water tank at Hauz Khas. These monuments reflected the strength and style of the Khalji era. However, the Moth ki Masjid was built much later during the Lodi period by the Wazir of Sikandar Lodi, representing a different phase.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q34. Under the Delhi Sultanate revenue system, what did the term ‘Zakat’ strictly refer to?
Explanation
In the administrative and religious framework of the Delhi Sultanate, Zakat was a mandatory tax specifically collected from well-to-do Muslim subjects. It was calculated as a fixed percentage of a person’s accumulated wealth and property. The revenue generated from Zakat was reserved exclusively for charitable purposes, such as helping the poor and supporting other welfare activities within the Islamic community.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q35. In which year did the Central Asian conqueror Timur invade India and sack Delhi, severely weakening the Sultanate?
Explanation
The late fourteenth century witnessed a devastating blow to the Delhi Sultanate when the Central Asian conqueror Timur invaded India. In 1398 AD, his forces sacked Delhi, causing widespread destruction and significant loss of life. This invasion shattered the remaining authority of the Tughlaq dynasty and paved the way for the emergence of various independent provincial kingdoms and regional powers.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q36. Consider the following statements regarding Balban’s administrative policies: I. He established a separate military department called Diwan-i-Arz. II. He appointed spies called Barids to keep himself informed about the nobles. III. He strictly adhered to a policy of ‘Iron and Blood’ to suppress rebellions. IV. He claimed descent from the mythical Iranian king Afrasiyab to enhance royal prestige. V. He abolished the rigid court etiquettes to become more accessible to the common masses. Which of the combinations of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Ghiyasuddin Balban strengthened the Sultanate through a series of rigorous administrative and military measures. He established a separate military department and a pervasive spy network to monitor the nobility. He followed a harsh policy of ‘Iron and Blood’ to maintain order and claimed legendary Persian ancestry. Far from being accessible, he actually introduced extremely formal and rigid court etiquettes and rituals.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q37. Match List I (Titles/Names) with List II (Sultan) and select the correct answer.
Titles/Names
Sultan
A. Lakh Bakhsh
i. Alauddin Khalji
B. Sikandar-i-Sani (Second Alexander)
ii. Qutb-ud-din Aibak
C. Prince of Moneyers
iii. Ghiyasuddin Balban
D. Ulugh Khan (Title given by Nasiruddin Mahmud)
iv. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Explanation
Many Sultans of Delhi adopted unique titles that reflected their character or ambitions. Qutb-ud-din Aibak was known for his charity, while Alauddin Khalji aspired to be a world conqueror. Muhammad bin Tughlaq was recognized for his numerous coinage experiments. Balban received a prestigious title from Nasiruddin Mahmud long before he ascended the throne, highlighting his growing influence in the royal court.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q38. Identify the incorrect pair of a Delhi Sultanate ruler and their respective administrative measure.
Explanation
Muhammad bin Tughlaq established the Diwan-i- Amir Kohi, a specialized department dedicated to agricultural development and land reclamation. Other rulers also introduced key measures, such as Iltutmish organizing the elite Turkish nobility and Alauddin Khalji implementing military reforms like horse branding. Sikandar Lodi later shifted the capital to Agra. The agricultural department, however, was a distinct innovation of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q39. What was the immediate background event that allowed Qutb-ud-din Aibak to establish independent rule in India?
Explanation
Qutb-ud-din Aibak served as the primary lieutenant of Muhammad Ghori in India. Following Ghori’s assassination in 1206 AD, the central authority of the Ghorid Empire fragmented. Aibak took this opportunity to declare his independence and establish the Delhi Sultanate. This transition marked the beginning of sovereign Muslim rule in India, as Aibak shifted his focus to consolidating his local power.
RAS PrelimsMedieval Indian History · Delhi Sultanate
Q40. What was the major political consequence of the weakened central authority during the later Tughlaq and Sayyid periods?
Explanation
As the central authority in Delhi weakened during the late Tughlaq and Sayyid periods, the empire began to disintegrate. This decline allowed powerful provincial governors and local leaders to assert their autonomy. Consequently, several prosperous and independent kingdoms emerged across the subcontinent, including the sultanates of Gujarat, Malwa, and Jaunpur. These regional states became significant centers of political and cultural development.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
31
(a) I, II and III only
32
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
33
(c) Moth ki Masjid
34
(d) A religious tax collected from wealthy Muslims for the purpose of charitable activities.
35
(b) 1398 AD
36
(a) I, II, III and IV only
37
(a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii
38
(a) Establishment of Diwan-i-Amir Kohi (Department of Agriculture) - Firoz Shah Tughlaq
39
(c) The assassination of Muhammad Ghori in 1206 AD
40
(d) The emergence of independent provincial states like the kingdoms of Gujarat, Malwa, and Jaunpur.
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.
