All questions of The Delhi Sultanate for BPSC (Bihar) Exam

The first sultan of Delhi who strove to make monarchy hereditary was Balban.

Balban, also known as Ghiyas-ud-din Balban, was a powerful ruler of the Delhi Sultanate in medieval India. He ruled from 1266 to 1287 AD. Balban played a crucial role in strengthening the Sultanate and establishing it as a hereditary monarchy. His policies and actions aimed at consolidating power and ensuring the succession of his descendants to the throne.

1. Rise to Power
- Balban was a Turkic noble who initially served as a slave under the reign of Iltutmish, the third ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.
- Due to his loyalty and military skills, Balban rose through the ranks and became an influential figure in the sultanate.

2. Measures to Strengthen Monarchy
- Balban was determined to establish a strong and stable monarchy. He believed that a powerful central authority was essential for maintaining law and order.
- He implemented strict measures to suppress rebellion and consolidate his rule.
- He established a network of spies and informers to keep a close watch on nobles and potential rivals. This strengthened his control over the nobility and prevented challenges to his authority.
- Balban also introduced a strict code of conduct for the nobles to maintain discipline and loyalty. This helped in centralizing power under the sultan.

3. Succession Planning
- Balban was committed to ensuring the hereditary succession of his descendants to the throne.
- He married his eldest daughter to the heir apparent, Nasiruddin Mahmud, who later became the next sultan.
- Balban also married his other daughters to influential nobles and commanders, thereby creating strong alliances and ensuring support for his successors.
- By securing marriages within the nobility, Balban aimed to strengthen the legitimacy and stability of his dynasty.

4. Conclusion
- Balban's efforts to make the monarchy hereditary laid the foundation for future sultans to establish their dynasties in Delhi.
- His policies of centralization, surveillance, and succession planning were instrumental in consolidating the power of the Delhi Sultanate and ensuring its continuity for several centuries to come.

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 'A', Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq.

Background:
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq was the Sultan of Delhi from 1325 to 1351 AD. He was known for his administrative and economic reforms, as well as his eccentricities and unconventional policies.

Judicial Functionaries:
Judicial functionaries were officials responsible for the administration of justice in the Delhi Sultanate. They included qazis (judges), muftis (legal experts), and other legal officers.

Census Registers:
Census registers were records containing information about the population, land ownership, and other demographic details of an area. They were used for administrative and taxation purposes.

Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's Order:
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq ordered the judicial functionaries to complete census registers for the various quarters of Delhi. This order was part of his larger plan to establish a new capital city called Daulatabad, which he believed would be more strategically located and secure than Delhi.

Reasons for the Order:
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq wanted to accurately assess the population and resources of Delhi to ensure a smooth transition of the capital. By completing census registers, he could gather data on the number of people, their professions, and landholdings in each quarter of Delhi. This information would help in planning the relocation and redistribution of resources.

Importance of Census Registers:
Census registers provided valuable information for taxation purposes. They helped in determining the tax base, identifying potential sources of revenue, and assessing the economic potential of an area. They also helped in maintaining law and order, as the records could be used to resolve disputes and enforce property rights.

Conclusion:
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's order to complete census registers for the various quarters of Delhi was part of his larger plan to establish a new capital city. This order reflected his administrative and economic reforms, as well as his efforts to gather accurate data for effective governance.

Mahmud of Ghazni was a powerful ruler of the Ghaznavid Empire, which was centered in present-day Afghanistan and parts of Central Asia. He is well-known for his military campaigns in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the regions of Peshawar and Punjab. To conquer and annex these territories, Mahmud of Ghazni had to defeat the Hindushahis, who were the ruling dynasty in the region at that time.

Who were the Hindushahis?
The Hindushahis were a dynasty that ruled over the Kabul Valley, Peshawar, and parts of Punjab from the 9th to the 10th century. They were known for their resistance against the Arab invasions during the early Islamic period. The Hindushahi rulers were mostly Hindu, and they successfully maintained their independence for several centuries.

Mahmud of Ghazni's campaigns
Mahmud of Ghazni launched numerous military campaigns into the Indian subcontinent between 1000 and 1027 AD. His primary objective was to plunder the wealth and resources of the region, as well as to spread Islam. These campaigns were also aimed at extending his empire and establishing his dominance over the region.

Conquest of Peshawar
Peshawar, located in present-day Pakistan, was one of the major cities targeted by Mahmud of Ghazni. In 1001 AD, Mahmud launched an attack on Peshawar and successfully defeated the Hindushahis, led by Jayapala. Jayapala was captured and imprisoned, and Mahmud established his control over the city.

Annexation of Punjab
After conquering Peshawar, Mahmud of Ghazni turned his attention towards Punjab. He launched several military campaigns into the region, defeating various local rulers and establishing his authority. One of his major victories was against the powerful ruler Anandapala of the Shahi dynasty, who controlled parts of Punjab. Mahmud defeated Anandapala in the Battle of Waihind in 1008 AD, after which he captured and annexed Punjab.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Mahmud of Ghazni defeated the Hindushahis, led by Jayapala, to conquer and annex Peshawar. He also defeated Anandapala of the Shahi dynasty to establish his control over Punjab. These conquests played a significant role in expanding the Ghaznavid Empire's influence in the Indian subcontinent and laying the foundation for future Muslim invasions into the region.

Reign of which Delhi Sultan did the Delhi Sultanate reach its peak of power and cultural development?

The Delhi Sultanate reached its peak of power and cultural development during the reign of Alauddin Khilji.

Abu Bakr was the first Caliph and the founder of the Umayyad dynasty of the Caliphate. He played a crucial role in shaping the early history of Islam and establishing the political and administrative structure of the nascent Islamic state.

1. Early Life and Conversion to Islam:
Abu Bakr, whose full name was Abu Bakr as-Siddiq ibn Abi Quhafa, was born in Mecca in 573 CE. He belonged to the Banu Taym clan of the Quraysh tribe, a prominent tribe in Mecca. Abu Bakr was known for his honesty, integrity, and wisdom even before his conversion to Islam.

Abu Bakr was a close companion of Prophet Muhammad and one of the earliest converts to Islam. He accepted Islam in the early days of Prophet Muhammad's mission and became one of his most trusted and loyal companions.

2. Role as the First Caliph:
After the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE, a leadership vacuum emerged, and there was a need to select a successor. Abu Bakr was chosen as the first Caliph by a consensus of the Muslim community, known as the Sahaba.

As the first Caliph, Abu Bakr faced numerous challenges, including internal rebellions and threats from neighboring tribes. He successfully suppressed these rebellions and consolidated the Islamic state.

3. Expansion of the Islamic State:
One of the significant achievements of Abu Bakr's caliphate was the expansion of the Islamic state. Under his leadership, the Muslim armies launched campaigns against the Byzantine and Sassanian empires, successfully capturing vast territories.

Abu Bakr's military expeditions, known as the Ridda Wars, aimed to bring the rebellious tribes back into the fold of Islam. The expeditions were successful, and Abu Bakr managed to maintain the unity of the Islamic state.

4. Administrative Reforms:
Abu Bakr introduced several administrative reforms during his caliphate. He established a centralized authority and appointed governors to oversee different regions of the Islamic state. He also initiated a system of regular stipends for soldiers and officials, known as the Bayt al-Mal.

5. Death and Legacy:
Abu Bakr ruled as the Caliph for a brief period of two years and three months. He passed away in 634 CE and was succeeded by Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab.

Abu Bakr's legacy as the first Caliph and the founder of the Umayyad dynasty is significant. His leadership and administrative skills laid the foundation for the strong and prosperous Islamic state that emerged in the following years. He is highly revered by Muslims for his piety, wisdom, and contributions to the early Islamic community.

Historians of the Delhi Sultanate and their works:

I. Amir Khusrau:
- Amir Khusrau was a prominent historian, poet, and musician during the Delhi Sultanate.
- He is known for his works like Khazain-ul-Futuh, Nuh Sipihr, and Khamsa.
- However, Tarikh-i-Firuzshahi is not one of his works.

II. Minhas-us-Siraj:
- Minhas-us-Siraj was a Persian historian who lived during the reign of the Tughlaq dynasty.
- He is known for his work, Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, which is a comprehensive account of the Delhi Sultanate.
- Tarikh-i-Firuzshahi is not associated with Minhas-us-Siraj.

III. Ziauddin Barani:
- Ziauddin Barani was a renowned historian and political thinker during the Delhi Sultanate.
- He served as a court historian under the Tughlaq dynasty.
- His most significant work is Tarikh-i-Firuzshahi, which is a historical account of the reign of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
- Tarikh-i-Firuzshahi provides valuable insights into the political, social, and economic aspects of the Delhi Sultanate.

IV. Shams-i-Siraj Afif:
- Shams-i-Siraj Afif was a Persian historian who lived during the reign of the Khalji dynasty.
- His most famous work is Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi, which chronicles the reign of Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq.
- Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi is a detailed account of the political and administrative history of the Delhi Sultanate.

Conclusion:
- The historical works of Ziauddin Barani and Shams-i-Siraj Afif have Tarikh-i-Firuzshahi as their title.
- Ziauddin Barani's Tarikh-i-Firuzshahi focuses on the reign of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq, while Shams-i-Siraj Afif's Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi covers the rule of Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq.
- Therefore, the correct answer is option 'C' (III, IV).

Explanation:




Prosecution of the Shias:
- Firuz Tughlaq did prosecute the Shias during his reign.
- He ordered for their religious books to be publicly burnt as a way to suppress their influence.
- This action was part of his efforts to consolidate power and maintain control over his subjects.




Prosecution of the Mahdis:
- Firuz Tughlaq also prosecuted the Mahdis, who were a religious group that emerged during his rule.
- The Mahdis were seen as a threat to the established order, and Firuz Tughlaq took measures to suppress their activities.
- This persecution was aimed at maintaining the stability of his empire and preventing any challenges to his authority.




Prosecution of the Karmathians and Islamic Shias:
- In addition to the Shias and the Mahdis, Firuz Tughlaq also targeted the Karmathians and other Islamic Shia groups.
- He viewed these groups as potential threats to his rule and sought to eliminate any dissent or opposition.
- By prosecuting these groups, Firuz Tughlaq sought to maintain his grip on power and prevent any uprisings or rebellions.




Conclusion:
- Therefore, all of the statements are correct as Firuz Tughlaq did prosecute the Shias, Mahdis, Karmathians, and other Islamic Shia groups during his reign.

's policies was disastrous.
b)The result of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's policies were disastrous.

a) The result of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's policies was disastrous.