Delhi Sultanate : Slave Dynasty

Q.1 What is ‘Adhai Din ka Zhonpda’? (56th to 59th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2015)

(a) Mosque (b) Temple (c) Saint’s hut (d) Tower

Ans. (a)

Exp:

Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra is a famous mosque in Ajmer, Rajasthan.
It was commissioned/built under Qutb-ud-din Aibak around 1198–1200 CE and was subsequently modified/beautified by Iltutmish in 1213 CE. It incorporates architectural elements from earlier Hindu and Jain structures.

Q.2 Who among the following did not contribute to building the famous ‘Qutb-Minar’ ? (U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013)

(a) Qutbuddin Aybak (b) Iltutmish (c) Ghiyasuddin Tughluq (d) Firuz Shah Tughluq

Ans. (c)

Exp:

Ghiyasuddin Tughluq founded the Tughluq dynasty in 1320 CE. He is associated with Tughluqabad, not with the construction or major repair of Qutb Minar.
Qutbuddin Aibak began the construction of the Qutb Minar around 1199 CE. He is generally credited with completing its first storey.
Iltutmish, successor of Aibak, added three additional storeys to the minar. Thus, he made a major contribution to its construction.
Firuz Shah Tughluq repaired the Qutb Minar after it was damaged by lightning. He also replaced/reconstructed its upper portion.

Q.3 Who among the following established Delhi as the capital of Sultanate ? (U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012)

(a) Qutbuddin Aybak (b) Iltutmish (c) Raziyya (d) Muizzuddin Ghori

Ans. (b)

Exp:

· Shamsuddin Iltutmish is generally credited with establishing Delhi as the principal capital of the Delhi Sultanate.Qutbuddin Aibak initially ruled from Lahore, rather than making Delhi the established capital of the Sultanate. Iltutmish (1211–1236 CE) consolidated the Delhi Sultanate and shifted the political centre to Delhi. He made Delhi the principal seat of the Sultanate's government. He also strengthened the administration and issued the silver Tanka and copper Jital.

· Qutbuddin Aibak: Founder of the Mamluk/Slave dynasty. His main political centre was Lahore. He began construction of the Qutb Minar.

· Raziyya: Daughter of Iltutmish and ruler of the Delhi Sultanate from 1236–1240 CE. She inherited Delhi as the established capital.

· Muizzuddin Ghori: He established the political foundation for Turkish rule in North India but did not establish Delhi as the Sultanate's capital.

Q.4 Who was the first Sultan of Delhi who introduced regular coins and declared Delhi the capital of his empire? (U.P.P.C.S (Mains) 2014)

(a) Nasiruddin Mahmud (b) Iltutmish (c) Aram Shah (d) Balban

Ans. (b)

Exp:

· Shamsuddin Iltutmish (1211–1236 CE) is credited with introducing a regular and standardized coinage system and firmly establishing Delhi as the capital of the Delhi Sultanate. He introduced the standard silver Tanka and copper Jital. Tanka → primarily silver, Jital → copper/billon coin. This created a more organized monetary system for the Sultanate.

· Qutbuddin Aibak had important political centres at Lahore and Delhi. Iltutmish consolidated the Sultanate and made Delhi its principal political centre/capital. Delhi subsequently became the main seat of the Delhi Sultanate.

· Nasiruddin Mahmud: Ruled from 1246–1266 CE. He succeeded Iltutmish's successors and was heavily dependent on his powerful minister Balban.

· Aram Shah: Son/successor of Qutbuddin Aibak according to the traditional account. His reign was very short, around 1210–1211 CE. He was replaced by Iltutmish.

· Balban: Ruled 1266–1287 CE. Famous for strengthening the monarchy and the theory of divine kingship, not for introducing the regular coinage system.

Q.5 Who amongst the following Sultans of the Sultanate was the first to shift his capital to Delhi? (U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016)

(a) Aram Shah (b) Balban (c) Iltutmish (d) Qutbuddin Aybak

Ans. (c)

Exp:

· Shams-ud-din Iltutmish Iltutmish (1211–1236 CE) is generally credited in standard exam history with making Delhi the principal/established capital of the Delhi Sultanate. Before Iltutmish, the early Turkish rulers operated from Lahore as an important political centre.

· Qutbuddin Aibak → ruled mainly from Lahore; he did not establish Delhi as the permanent capital.

· Aram Shah → ruled for only a short period and was based at Lahore.

· Iltutmish → shifted the political centre decisively to Delhi and consolidated Delhi as the capital.

· Balban → ruled much later (1266–1287 CE), when Delhi was already the established capital.

Q.6 Who was called ‘a slave of a slave’? (U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016)

(a) Mohd. Ghori (b) Qutbuddin Aybak (c) Balban (d) Iltutmish

Ans. (d)

Exp:

· Shams-ud-din Iltutmish was called a “slave of a slave” because of his chain of servitude:

· Qutbuddin Aibak was originally a slave of Muhammad Ghori. Iltutmish was purchased by Qutbuddin Aibak and therefore became a slave of Aibak, who himself had been a slave. Hence, Iltutmish was described as a “slave of a slave.”

Q.7 The original name of Changez (Genghis) Khan was – (U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015)

(a) Khasul Khan (b) Yesugai (c) Temuchin (Temujin) (d) Ogadi

Ans. (c)

Exp:

· Genghis Khan was originally known as Temüjin (Temuchin). He was born around 1162 CE in Mongolia. His father was Yesügei (Yesugai), a tribal chief of the Kiyad-Borjigin clan. In 1206 CE, at a great Mongol assembly (Kurultai), Temüjin was proclaimed Genghis Khan. He subsequently established the foundation of the vast Mongol Empire.

Q.8 Who was the f rst Muslim ruler to formulate the 'theory of kingship' similar to the 'theory of divine right of the kings'? (63rd B.P.S.C (Pre.) 2017)

(a) Aibak (b) Iltutmish (c) Balban (d) Alauddin (e) None of the above/ More than one of the above

Ans. (c)

Exp:

· Ghiyas-ud-din Balban (1266–1287 CE) developed a strong theory of kingship to enhance the authority and prestige of the Sultan. Balban believed that the Sultan's authority came from a divine source. He presented the Sultan as God's representative on earth and emphasized the exalted status of kingship. His theory was associated with:

· Divine origin of kingship

· Sultan as God's representative

· Maintaining the dignity and prestige of the Sultan

· Strict court discipline and royal etiquette

· Sijda (prostration before the Sultan)

· Paibos (kissing the Sultan's feet)

· His objective was to strengthen the monarchy and establish the Sultan's authority over nobles and other political groups.

· Alauddin Khalji — He adopted a highly centralized and authoritarian monarchy, but his concept of sovereignty differed from Balban's divine theory. He famously emphasized that political regulations could be based on state necessity, rather than strictly on religious law.

Q.9 Which Delhi Sultan is known for adopting the 'blood and iron' policy? (66th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2020)

(a) Iltutmish (b) Balban (c) Ala-ud-din Khalji (d) Muhammad bin Tughluq

(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Ans (b)

Exp:

· Ghiyas-ud-din Balban (1266–1287 CE) is associated with the “Blood and Iron” policy. Balban adopted a strict and uncompromising policy to strengthen the Sultan's authority and suppress rebellions. His approach involved:

· Strong suppression of rebellions and disobedient nobles.

· Maintaining strict law and order.

· Strengthening the army and military administration.

· Increasing the prestige and authority of the Sultan.

· Dealing harshly with robbers and rebellious groups, particularly in the Doab and Mewat.

· This policy complemented his theory of kingship, under which the Sultan was expected to command absolute respect and obedience.

Q.10 Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): (U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013)

Assertion (A) : Balban made his government firm stable and centralized all authority in his hands.

Reason (R) : He wanted to protect North-West frontier against Mongol invasions.

Code :

(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).

(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

Ans. (b)

Exp:

· Ghiyas-ud-din Balban strengthened and centralized the Sultanate by:

· Concentrating political authority in the Sultan.

· Suppressing rebellious nobles and local chiefs.

· Maintaining strict law and order.

· Strengthening the army.

· Enhancing the prestige and dignity of the monarchy through his theory of kingship.

· Therefore, A is true.

· Balban faced a serious threat from the Mongols on the North-West frontier. He therefore:

· Strengthened frontier defenses.

· Maintained strong military forces.

· Reorganized and fortified important frontier areas.

· So, R is also true.

· But why is (R) NOT the correct explanation of (A)?:

· The immediate and broader objective of Balban's centralization was to strengthen the Sultanate and establish the supremacy of the Sultan, particularly against rebellious nobles, internal disorder and political instability. The Mongol threat was one important reason for strengthening the state and army, but it does not fully explain why Balban concentrated all political authority in his own hands.

Q.11 The Muslim ruler whose empire was regarded as a part of Dar-ul-Islam was – (67th B.P.S.C. (Re-Exam) (Pre)-2022)

(a) Balban (b) Razia (c) Iltutmish (d) Nasir-ud-Din (e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Ans. (c)

Exp:

· In classical Islamic political terminology:

· Dar-ul-Islam = territories where Islamic rule and Muslim political authority were established.

· Dar-ul-Harb = territories outside Islamic political rule, traditionally described in contrast to Dar-ul-Islam.

· Iltutmish (1211–1236 CE) consolidated the Delhi Sultanate and strengthened its position as an established Muslim state in North India. A particularly important event was his recognition by the Abbasid Caliph of Baghdad in 1229 CE. The Caliph formally recognized Iltutmish's authority, which enhanced the legitimacy of the Delhi Sultanate in the wider Islamic world. Thus, in standard medieval Indian history exam terminology, Iltutmish's Sultanate was regarded as part of Dar-ul-Islam.

Q.12 "His theory of kingship was based on the principles of prestige, power and justice."Who said these words about Balban? (B.P.S.C. CDPO (Pre) 2022)

(a) A. B. M. Habibullah (b) Zia-ud-din Barani (c) Stanley Lane-Poole (d) R. P. Tripathi (e) None of the above / More than one of the above

Ans. (b)

Exp:

· Zia-ud-din Barani was a prominent medieval historian who wrote about the Delhi Sultans, particularly in his work Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi. Barani discussed Balban's concept of kingship and emphasized the importance of:

· Prestige — maintaining the dignity and majesty of the Sultan.

· Power — ensuring that the Sultan possessed sufficient authority to control nobles and suppress rebellion.

· Justice — maintaining order and administering justice.

· Balban believed that the Sultan had to maintain an imposing position so that subjects and nobles would obey his authority.

· A. B. M. Habibullah — A modern historian known for his scholarship on the Delhi Sultanate, but this particular statement is attributed to Barani in the exam context.

· Stanley Lane-Poole — British historian and Orientalist who wrote about medieval India, but the quoted statement is not attributed to him here.

· R. P. Tripathi — Modern Indian historian associated with studies of medieval Indian history; not the source of this statement.

Q.13 The term Zillillah was first used by – (70th B.P.S.C Re-Exam 2024)

(a) Alauddin Khilji (b) Akbar (c) Balban (d) Iltutmish

Ans. (c)

Exp:

· Ghiyas-ud-din Balban developed a highly exalted concept of Sultanate kingship. He presented the Sultan as God's representative/shadow on earth, expressed through the Persian-Arabic concept Zill-i-Ilahi (often written Zillullah). The idea helped him strengthen the prestige, authority and dignity of the Sultan. Balban's theory of kingship was based on:

· Divine origin of kingship

· Sultan as Zill-i-Ilahi — Shadow of God

· High royal dignity and prestige

· Strict court etiquette

· Sijda and Paibos

· Strong and centralized monarchy

Q.14 Tughril Khan raised a standard of revolt during whose reign? (67th B.P.S.C. (Re-Exam) (Pre)-2022)

(a) Balban (c) Firoz Tughluq (b) Alauddin Khalji (d) Khizr Khan (e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Ans. (a)

Exp:

· Tughril Khan was a governor of Lakhnauti (Bengal) during the reign of Ghiyas-ud-din Balban (1266–1287 CE). Around 1279 CE, Tughril Khan revolted against Balban and declared himself independent in Bengal. Balban took the revolt very seriously because Bengal was strategically important. He personally led an expedition to Bengal and eventually defeated and executed Tughril Khan.

Q.15 Who among the following introduced the Persian festival Nouruz in India? (69th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2023)

(a) Firoz Shah Tughlaq (b) Alauddin Khilji (c) Balban (d) Iltutmish

Ans. (c)

Exp:

· Ghiyas-ud-din Balban introduced the celebration of Nouruz (Nowruz) at the Delhi Sultanate court. Nouruz is the Persian New Year festival, traditionally celebrated around the spring equinox. Balban adopted several Persian court customs and ceremonies to increase the prestige and majesty of the Sultan. The celebration of Nouruz was one such Persian cultural influence.

· Firoz Shah Tughlaq — Known for public works, irrigation projects, canals, and administrative measures; Nouruz is not primarily associated with his reign.

· Alauddin Khalji — Famous for market regulations, military reforms, territorial expansion and revenue reforms; the introduction of Nouruz is attributed to Balban.

· Iltutmish — Consolidated the Sultanate and established Delhi as its principal capital; he is also known for receiving recognition from the Abbasid Caliph, but Nouruz is associated with Balban.