Class 7 History Chapter 3 Question Answers - Delhi: 12th to 15th Century

Q1. What was written by Minhaj-i-Siraj about Raziyya Sultan?

Ans: Minhaj-i-Siraj acknowledged that Raziyya Sultan was more capable and qualified than her brothers. However, he was uncomfortable with the idea of a queen ruling. The nobles also opposed her attempts to govern independently. He believed that her rule contradicted the ideal social order, where women were expected to be subordinate to men. Minhaj-i-Siraj questioned how she could possess such qualities when her status did not align with that of men.

Q2. What do you understand about ‘Clients’? 

Ans: A Client is someone who is under the protection of another person, often seen as a dependent or follower. Key points include:

• Clients were frequently elevated to high political positions.
• They were appointed as generals and governors.
• This practice sometimes led to political instability.
• Clients, along with slaves, showed loyalty to their masters rather than their heirs.
• The appointment of individuals from humble backgrounds to high offices was controversial.

Q3. Why were the accountants appointed by the Sultans?

Ans: Accountants were appointed by the Sultans to oversee the revenue collected by the muqtis. Their main responsibilities included:

• Ensuring that the muqti only collected the taxes set by the state.
• Verifying that the muqti maintained the necessary number of soldiers.

Q4. Who was Genghis Khan? 

Ans: Genghis Khan was a Mongol leader known for his invasions of the Delhi Sultanate during the reigns of Alauddin Khalji and the early years of Muhammad Tughluq.

• He invaded Transoxiana in north-east Iran in 1219.
• The Mongol attacks on the Delhi Sultanate intensified during the reign of Alauddin Khalji.
• These invasions compelled the Sultanate to mobilise a large standing army in Delhi.
• This posed significant administrative challenges for both rulers.

Q5. What was the special recruitment process during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Tughluq? 

Ans:

Sultan Muhammad Tughluq's recruitment process was notable for its unconventional appointments. He selected individuals from humble backgrounds for high administrative roles, including:

• Aziz Khummar - a wine distiller
• Firuz Hajjam - a barber
• Manka Tabbakh - a cook
• Ladha and Pira - two gardeners

This approach drew criticism from Ziyauddin Barani, a political thinker of the time, who viewed these appointments as a sign of the Sultan's poor political judgement and inability to govern effectively.

Q6. Write the types of taxes imposed during Sultanate period.

Ans:

During the Sultanate period, there were several types of taxes imposed:

• Kharaj: A tax on cultivation, amounting to about 50% of the peasant's produce.
• Cattle Tax: A tax levied on livestock.
• House Tax: A tax imposed on residential properties.

Additionally, other taxes included:

• Khums: This was one-fifth of war booty and one-fifth on mines and treasure troves.
• Zakat: A religious duty where Muslims were required to give one-fortieth of their annual savings to the needy. Although initially a religious obligation, it was collected as a tax by Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
• Jizyah: A tax paid by non-Muslims, known as zimmis, who were protected by the state. Initially collected with the kharaj, it was later imposed separately by Firoz Shah Tughlaq.

It is important to note that large regions remained outside the control of the Delhi Sultans, making tax collection challenging.

Q7. Name the important rulers of other dynasties that ruled over Delhi. [Old NCERT]

Ans:

• Khalji Dynasty: Jalaluddin Khalji, Alauddin Khalji
• Tughluq Dynasty: Ghiyasuddin Tughluq, Muhammad Tughluq, Firuz Shah Tughluq
• Sayyid Dynasty: Khizr Khan
• Lodi Dynasty: Bahlul Lodi