Satish Chandra MCQs: The Delhi Sultanate | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: Assertion (A): Iltutmish is considered the real consolidator of the Turkish conquests in North India.
Reason (R): He established Delhi as the permanent capital of the Sultanate, severing its links with Ghazni.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Ans: (c)
Iltutmish is indeed regarded as the real consolidator of the Turkish conquests in North India due to his significant contributions to stabilizing and expanding the Sultanate. However, it was Qutbuddin Aibak who established Delhi as the capital, not Iltutmish.

Q2: Match the following rulers with their notable contributions:

(a) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C
(b) 1-B, 2-A, 3-C
(c) 1-A, 2-C, 3-B
(d) 1-C, 2-B, 3-A
Ans: (c)
Iltutmish introduced the silver tanka, Raziya Sultan was the first female monarch, and Balban strengthened the monarchy's position.

Q3: Arrange the following events in chronological order:
A. Establishment of Delhi as the capital
B. Reign of Balban
C. Raziya Sultan's rule
D. Iltutmish's consolidation of the Sultanate
(a) A-D-C-B
(b) D-A-B-C
(c) A-B-C-D
(d) D-C-A-B
Ans: (a)
Delhi was established as the capital by Qutbuddin Aibak, followed by Iltutmish's consolidation, Raziya Sultan's rule, and then the reign of Balban.

Q4: Statement 1: Balban claimed descent from the legendary Iranian king Afrasiyab to bolster his legitimacy.
Statement 2: Raziya Sultan was opposed by the Turkish nobles due to her policies of promoting non-Turk officials.
(a) Both statements are true
(b) Only statement 1 is true
(c) Only statement 2 is true
(d) Both statements are false
Ans: (a)
Balban did claim descent from Afrasiyab, and Raziya Sultan faced opposition from Turkish nobles partly due to her inclusive policies towards non-Turks.

Q5: Statement 1: Iltutmish was the founder of the Delhi Sultanate.
Statement 2: The Mongol threat to the Delhi Sultanate emerged during the reign of Balban.
Statement 3: The Turkish control over eastern Rajputana was consolidated under Balban.
(a) Only statements 2 and 3 are true
(b) Only statements 1 and 3 are true
(c) All statements are true
(d) Only statement 3 is true
Ans: (a)
Iltutmish was not the founder of the Delhi Sultanate, but he did consolidate it. The Mongol threat emerged during Balban's reign, and he consolidated control over eastern Rajputana.

Q6: Assertion (A): The Mongol invasions significantly impacted the Delhi Sultanate's internal and external policies.
Reason (R): The Mongols' control over Punjab and threats to Delhi led to various strategic changes by the Sultans.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Ans: (a)
The Mongol invasions indeed had a significant impact on the Delhi Sultanate, both internally and externally. The threat they posed led to strategic and military changes by the Sultans.

Q7: Match the following events with the respective rulers:

(a) 1-C, 2-A, 3-B
(b) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C
(c) 1-B, 2-C, 3-A
(d) 1-C, 2-B, 3-A
Ans: (a)
Balban recovered Gwaliyar, Iltutmish introduced the silver tanka, and Qutbuddin Aibak established Delhi as the capital.

Q8: Statement 1: The Mongol invasions led to the extension of the Sultanate's territory.
Statement 2: Balban's administration was characterized by strict justice and the establishment of law and order.
(a) Both statements are true
(b) Only statement 1 is true
(c) Only statement 2 is true
(d) Both statements are false
Ans: (c)
The Mongol invasions did not lead to an extension of the Sultanate's territory. However, Balban's administration was

Q9: Statement 1: The Khalji dynasty succeeded the Mamluk dynasty in the Delhi Sultanate.
Statement 2: Alauddin Khalji undertook significant military expansions in South India.
Statement 3: Raziya Sultan was the last ruler of the Mamluk dynasty.
(a) Only statements 1 and 2 are true
(b) Only statements 2 and 3 are true
(c) All statements are true
(d) Only statement 1 is true
Ans: (a)
The Khalji dynasty did indeed succeed the Mamluk dynasty, and Alauddin Khalji is known for his military expansions in South India. However, Raziya Sultan was not the last ruler of the Mamluk dynasty.

Q10: Assertion (A): The Delhi Sultanate marked the beginning of Muslim rule in India, contributing significantly to the cultural and architectural landscape.
Reason (R): The construction of Qutub Minar and the establishment of madrasas are examples of the Sultanate's cultural impact.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Ans: (a)
The Delhi Sultanate did indeed mark the beginning of sustained Muslim rule in India, which had a significant impact on the cultural and architectural fabric of the country. The construction of iconic structures like Qutub Minar and the promotion of Islamic education through madrasas are notable examples of this impact.

Q11: Match the following rulers with their significant actions:

(a) 1-C, 2-A, 3-B
(b) 1-B, 2-C, 3-A
(c) 1-C, 2-B, 3-A
(d) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C
Ans: (c)
Jalaluddin Khalji tried to mitigate some of Balban's harsh policies, Alauddin Khalji attempted to shift the capital to Deogir, and Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced token currency.

Q12: Assertion (A): Muhammad bin Tughlaq is often considered a ruler with progressive ideas but poor implementation.
Reason (R): His experiments like shifting the capital and introducing token currency failed due to lack of proper planning and execution.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Ans: (a)
Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign is marked by innovative ideas but poor execution, as evidenced by the failure of his experiments like shifting the capital and introducing token currency.

Q13: Arrange the following events in chronological order:
A. Jalaluddin Khalji's accession to the throne
B. Alauddin Khalji's conquest of Gujarat
C. Muhammad bin Tughlaq's token currency experiment
D. Establishment of Vijayanagara and Bahmani kingdoms
(a) A-B-C-D
(b) B-A-D-C
(c) C-D-A-B
(d) D-C-B-A
Ans: (a)
Jalaluddin Khalji's accession was followed by Alauddin Khalji's conquest of Gujarat, then Muhammad bin Tughlaq's token currency experiment, and finally the establishment of the Vijayanagara and Bahmani kingdoms.

Q14: Statement 1: Alauddin Khalji was known for his market control policies, particularly in regulating the prices of essential commodities.
Statement 2: Firuz Shah Tughlaq focused on military expansion and was known for his harsh military campaigns.
(a) Both statements are true
(b) Only statement 1 is true
(c) Only statement 2 is true
(d) Both statements are false
Ans: (b)
Alauddin Khalji indeed implemented market control policies, but Firuz Shah Tughlaq was more focused on administrative and welfare measures rather than harsh military campaigns.

Q15: Statement 1: Firuz Shah Tughlaq was known for his welfare measures and interest in architecture.
Statement 2: Muhammad bin Tughlaq successfully shifted the capital from Delhi to Deogir, which became a permanent shift.
Statement 3: Alauddin Khalji expanded the Delhi Sultanate's territory into Southern India.
(a) Only statements 1 and 3 are true
(b) Only statements 2 and 3 are true
(c) All statements are true
(d) Only statement 1 is true
Ans: (d)
Firuz Shah Tughlaq was indeed known for his welfare measures and architectural interests. Muhammad bin Tughlaq's attempt to shift the capital failed, and it was Alauddin Khalji who initiated expansion into Southern India, not completing it.

Q16: Match the following events with the respective rulers:

(a) 1-B, 2-A, 3-C
(b) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C
(c) 1-C, 2-A, 3-B
(d) 1-B, 2-C, 3-A
Ans: (a)
Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced token currency, Alauddin Khalji was known for his market control and land revenue reforms, and Firuz Shah Tughlaq focused on welfare measures and architectural developments.

Q17: Assertion (A): The reign of Alauddin Khalji marked a significant expansion of the Delhi Sultanate.
Reason (R): He undertook successful military campaigns in Rajasthan and Gujarat, extending the Sultanate's influence.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Ans: (a)
Alauddin Khalji indeed expanded the Delhi Sultanate, especially through his military campaigns in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Q18: Statement 1: Muhammad bin Tughlaq's policies were largely successful and contributed to the stability of the Delhi Sultanate.
Statement 2: Firuz Shah Tughlaq's reign was marked by significant administrative and social reforms.
(a) Both statements are true
(b) Only statement 2 is true
(c) Only statement 1 is true
(d) Both statements are false
Ans: (b)
Muhammad bin Tughlaq's policies were largely experimental and often led to instability in the Delhi Sultanate, while Firuz Shah Tughlaq's reign was indeed marked by significant administrative and social reforms.

Q19: Statement 1: Alauddin Khalji implemented a system of market control to stabilize prices of goods in the kingdom.
Statement 2: Firuz Shah Tughlaq is remembered for his military conquests rather than his administrative skills.
Statement 3: Muhammad bin Tughlaq successfully completed the conquest of the Deccan region.
(a) Only statement 1 is true
(b) Only statements 1 and 2 are true
(c) Only statements 1 and 3 are true
(d) All statements are true
Ans: (a)
Alauddin Khalji's system of market control is well-documented. Firuz Shah Tughlaq, however, was more renowned for his administrative skills than military conquests, and Muhammad bin Tughlaq's attempts at Deccan conquest were not entirely successful.

Q20: Assertion (A): The Sultanate period saw the introduction of Persian art and culture in India.
Reason (R): The Persian influence was a result of the Turkish rulers' inclination towards Persian culture and administrative practices.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true
Ans: (a)
The Sultanate period indeed witnessed the introduction and flourishing of Persian art and culture in India, greatly influenced by the Turkish rulers' admiration and adoption of Persian cultural and administrative norms.