Textbook Solutions: The Delhi Sultanate | Footprints Class 7: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

I. Based on your under standing, choose the correct option. 

1. 
Ans: (b)

2. 
Ans: (b)

3. 
Ans: (b)

4. 
Ans: (a)

5. 
Ans: (b)

6. 
Ans: (c)

7. 
Ans: (b)

8. 
Ans: (a)

9. 
Ans: (c)

10. 
Ans: (c)

II. Answer the following In one sentence. 

1. 
Ans: Qutbuddin Aibak died while playing polo.

2.
Ans: Opposition to Raziya Sultan's rule and her high position granted to her Ethiopian slave, Yakut, led to a revolt against her.

3.
Ans: One achievement of Balban was the centralization of power and assertion of noble origin and prestige of the monarchy.

4.
Ans: Malik Kafur was entrusted with the charge of all southern campaigns during Alauddin Khalji's reign.

5.
Ans: 'Iqtadars' were nobles who collected taxes from the farmers in the villages in exchange for cash payments for their services.

III. Answer the following questions In brief. 

1.
Ans: Alauddin Khalji introduced several economic measures, including market control regulations (Diwan-i-Riyasat), price control, and taxation reforms to strengthen the state's finances and reduce the influence of the nobility.

2.
Ans: Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced the token currency, which was made of copper and brass and had no intrinsic value. The motivation was to reduce the cost of minting coins. However, this experiment failed as people did not accept these tokens, and it led to economic chaos.

3.
Ans: The army in the Delhi Sultanate consisted of infantry, cavalry, archers, and elephants. Horses of good quality were essential and were imported from Arabia.

4.
Ans: The system of 'dagh' and 'chehra' was introduced by Alauddin Khalji. 'Dagh' referred to branding each horse in the army, and 'chehra' was a detailed description of each soldier.

IV. Answer the following questions in detail. 

1.
Ans: Iltutmish is regarded as the real consolidator of Turkish conquests in north India because he overcame internal opposition and external revolts to strengthen his empire. He granted territories to the nobles to gain their support and concentrated on recovering lost territories. He also organized the nobility into a select group of forty (chalisa or chahalgani) to improve administration. His reign saw the stabilization and expansion of the Delhi Sultanate.

2.
Ans: Raziya Sultan, the only Muslim woman ruler of Delhi, defied gender bias and appeared unveiled in public, establishing law and order throughout the empire. However, her rule marked the beginning of a power struggle with the nobles who opposed her due to her gender and her high position granted to her Ethiopian slave, Yakut. This led to a revolt, and she was eventually murdered.

3.
Ans: The sultan and his nobles played crucial roles during the Delhi Sultanate. The sultan was the central figure, responsible for defense, law, and order. The nobles held civilian and military positions and worked closely with the sultan. They were divided into ranks, such as Khans, Maliks, and Amirs. The 'iqtadars' were nobles who collected taxes in exchange for land and cash payments.

4.
Ans: Alauddin Khalji was an ambitious ruler who aimed to establish a vast empire by conquering various regions in India, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, and the Deccan. He was the first Delhi sultan to cross the Vindhya region and acquire control of the Deccan. His ambitions were driven by the wealth of the Deccan, and he entrusted the charge of southern campaigns to Malik Kafur.

5.
Ans: Muhammad bin Tughlaq undertook several experiments during his reign, driven by his scholarly pursuits. He aimed to consolidate his empire and improve administration. His motivations included reducing the cost of minting coins with the introduction of token currency and shifting the capital to Devagiri. However, these experiments often lacked prudence and led to economic chaos and discontent among the people.