Class 7 History Chapter 3 Question Answers - The Delhi Sultanate

Short Answer Questions

Q1: Who was the founder of the Delhi Sultanate?
Ans: Qutbuddin Aibak.

Q2: What was the "chalisa" in the Sultanate's politics?
Ans: A group of forty nobles who played a crucial role in the politics of the Slave Dynasty.

Q3: Who was the only Muslim woman ruler of Delhi?
Ans: Raziya Sultan.

Q4: Which Sultan conquered the Deccan and southern regions of India?
Ans: Alauddin Khalji.

Q5: What was the significance of the token currency introduced by Muhammad bin Tughlaq?
Ans: It was an experimental currency that led to economic chaos as people did not accept it.

Q6: Why was Timur's invasion significant for the Delhi Sultanate?
Ans: It weakened the Sultanate and led to extensive plunder and the capture of Indian artisans.

Q7: What role did nobles play in the Sultanate administration?
Ans: They held civilian and military positions, collected taxes, and worked closely with the Sultan.

Q8: What were the main components of the Sultanate's army?
Ans: The army included infantry, cavalry, archers, and elephants. Horses of good quality were crucial.

Q9: What is the iqta system in the Sultanate administration?
Ans: It assigned land to nobles in exchange for cash payments and tax collection.

Q10: How did the caste system affect the society during the Delhi Sultanate period?
Ans: Caste distinctions permeated to all religions and influenced the social structure.

Long Answer Questions

Q1: Explain the significance of Muhammad bin Tughlaq's experiments and their results during his reign.
Ans: Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced innovative policies like token currency and shifting the capital to Devagiri. However, these experiments failed, leading to economic chaos, discontent, and a loss of resources.

Q2: Describe the role of Raziya Sultan during her rule and the challenges she faced.
Ans: Raziya Sultan was the first and only Muslim woman ruler of Delhi. She defied gender norms, maintained law and order, but faced opposition from nobles and a revolt due to her high position granted to her Ethiopian slave, Yakut.

Q3: How did the nobles contribute to the Sultanate administration, and what were their ranks and responsibilities?
Ans: Nobles played a significant role in civilian and military positions. They were ranked as Khans, Maliks, and Amirs and had responsibilities like tax collection and maintaining the army.

Q4: Explain the economic measures introduced by Alauddin Khalji during his rule.
Ans: Alauddin Khalji introduced market control regulations, price control, and taxation reforms to strengthen the state's finances. These measures aimed to reduce the influence of the nobility.

Q5: Discuss the impact of Timur's invasion on the Delhi Sultanate and its weakening effects.
Ans: Timur's invasion in 1398 CE led to extensive plunder and the capture of Indian artisans. The weakened Sultanate became vulnerable to external invasions.

Q6: Detail the composition of the Sultanate's army and the importance of good-quality horses.
Ans: The army included infantry, cavalry, archers, and elephants. Good-quality horses were crucial, and they were imported from Arabia to strengthen the Sultanate's military power.

Q7: Explain the reasons behind the establishment of the Slave Dynasty and the significance of Qutbuddin Aibak's rule.
Ans: The Slave Dynasty was established by Qutbuddin Aibak after being entrusted by Muhammad Ghori. His rule marked the beginning of Turkish rule in northern India.

Q8: Describe the achievements and contributions of Iltutmish during his reign in the Delhi Sultanate.
Ans: Iltutmish is regarded as the real consolidator of Turkish conquests in North India. He organized the nobility, strengthened the empire, and expanded its territories.

Q9: Discuss the rise of the Khalji dynasty and the ambitious conquests of Alauddin Khalji.
Ans: Jalaluddin Khalji established the Khalji dynasty, and Alauddin Khalji conquered various regions, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, and the Deccan, expanding the Sultanate's influence.

Q10: Explain the decline of the Delhi Sultanate under the Lodi dynasty and the role of Babur in its end.
Ans: The Lodi dynasty came to power, with Ibrahim Lodi as its ruler. The First Battle of Panipat in 1526 CE saw the end of the Lodi dynasty and the Sultanate as Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi.