Khalji Dynasty

Q.1 Whose army was defeated by the army of Kakatiya rulers in 1303 at Warangal? (U.P.P.C.S.) (Pre) 2017)

(a) of Iltutmish (b) of Balban (c) of Alauddin Khalji (d) of Muhammad Tughluq

Ans. (c)

Exp:

·   In 1303 CE, during the reign of Alauddin Khalji, the Delhi Sultanate sent an army towards Warangal, the capital of the Kakatiya kingdom. The Kakatiya ruler at that time was Prataparudra II. The Delhi army was defeated by the Kakatiyas at Warangal.

·   Important distinction: This should not be confused with the later successful expedition against Warangal in 1309–1310 CE, led by Malik Kafur under Alauddin Khalji.

Q.2 The attempt of Alauddin Khalji to control the market prices – (U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2017)

(a) led to agricultural progress

(b) benefi tted only Nobles/Courtiers

(c) was highly successful

(d) alienated ruler from masses

Ans. (c)

Exp:

1. The attempt by Alauddin Khalji to control the market prices was highly successful. Alauddin Khalji's measures to control the market prices were one of the most important policy initiatives of his reign. Since Alauddin wanted to maintain a vast standing army, he therefore lowered the prices of the commodities of daily use.
2. He established separate markets in Delhi, (a) Grain Market (Mandi) for grain, (b) Clothes and Groceries market for clothes, sugar, dry fruits, butter and oil, (c) Market for horses, slaves, cattle etc., (d) Market for miscellaneous commodities.
3. To ensure implementation, each market was under the control of a superintendent called Shahna-i-Mandi who was assisted by an intelligence officer. Apart from Shahnai - Mandi Alauddin received daily reports of the market from two other independent sources, barids (intelligence officer) and munhiyans (Secret spies).

Q.3 Who started Public Distribution System in Sultanate period? (66th B.P.S.C. Re-Exam (Pre) 2020)

(a) Ala-ud-din Khalji

(b) Sikandar Lodhi

(c) Muhammad bin Tughlaq

(d) Firuz Shah Tughluq

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

Ans (a)

Exp:

1. Alauddin Khalji introduced a system of state-controlled markets and regulated grain supplies during his reign (1296–1316 CE). It is often described in BPSC/PCS exam material as an early form or precursor of the Public Distribution System (PDS). His main objective was to maintain low and stable prices, particularly to support his large standing army.
2. Alauddin Khalji established strict market-control measures:

·   Grain markets were regulated.

·   Prices of essential commodities were fixed by the state.

·   Government officials supervised the markets.

·   Hoarding and black marketing were strictly controlled.

·   Grain was stored in state granaries to deal with shortages.

·   The Diwan-i-Riyasat supervised market regulations.

·   Shahna-i-Mandi was the market superintendent.

Q.4 What was the boundary between the Delhi Sultan and Mongols during the period of Alauddin Khalji after 1306 A.D. ? (U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014)

(a) Byas (b) Ravi (c) Indus (d) Sutlej

Ans. (b)

Exp:

1.   During the reign of Alauddin Khalji, the Mongols repeatedly invaded the north-western frontier of the Delhi Sultanate. After 1306 CE, Alauddin's successful military measures pushed the Mongols back. The Ravi River came to mark the approximate frontier between the Delhi Sultanate's territory and the Mongol-controlled region.
2.  The important rivers from west to east are:

   Indus → Jhelum → Chenab → Ravi → Beas → Sutlej

Q.5 Arrange the following conquests of Alauddin Khalji in chronological order. (U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2022)

1. Ranthambore 2. Gujarat 3. Warangal 4. Chittor

Select the correct answer from the code given below :

Code:

(a) 3, 4, 1, 2 (b) 4, 2, 3, 1 (c) 1, 3, 2, 4 (d) 2, 1, 4, 3

Ans. (d)

Exp:

·   Chronological order:

Q.6 "Thus to Ala-ud-din belongs the credit of being the first Turkish Sultan of Delhi to bring the church under the control of the state and to usher in factors that might make the state secular in theory." Who wrote these words? (B.P.S.C. CDPO 2022)

(a) Wolseley Haig (c) A. L. Srivastava (b) K. S. Lal (d) Zia-ud-din Barani

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

Ans. (c)

Exp:

·      A. L. Srivastava was a modern Indian historian who wrote extensively on medieval Indian history, including the Delhi Sultanate. The statement refers to Alauddin Khalji's relationship with religion and the state.

·      Alauddin took a relatively pragmatic approach to governance. He did not allow the ulama (religious scholars) to dictate state policy. His administrative and economic measures were primarily based on political and practical considerations. His famous approach was that the Sultan could make regulations according to the needs of the state, even when those regulations were not directly based on religious law.

Q.7 Malik Kafur also known as "Hazar Dinari" was bought by whom? (70th B.P.S.C. Pre-2024)

(a) Alauddin Khilji (b) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (c) Nusrat Khan

(d) More than one of the above

Ans. (c)

Exp:

1. Malik Kafur was originally a Hindu slave from Gujarat. He was captured during Alauddin Khalji's Gujarat campaign in 1299 CE. He was purchased by Nusrat Khan, one of Alauddin Khalji's important generals and officials, for 1,000 dinars. Hence, he came to be known as: Hazar Dinari = “One Thousand Dinar Man”
2. Later, Malik Kafur became one of Alauddin Khalji's most important military commanders and led several major southern expeditions.

Q.8 Who among the following opposed the power of the Khalifa? (67th B.P.S.C. (Re-Exam) (Pre)-2022)

(a) Iltutmish (c) Muhammad-bin-Tughluq (b) Alauddin Khilji (d) Balban

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

Ans. (e)

Exp:

1. Alauddin Khalji asserted the supremacy of the Sultan in matters of state and did not allow the ulema to dictate state policy.
2. Balban emphasized the exalted and independent authority of the Sultan, while Muhammad-bin-Tughluq also exercised independent sovereign authority.
3. Iltutmish, in contrast, obtained formal recognition from the Abbasid Caliph in 1229 CE.
4. Thus, more than one ruler listed asserted the Sultan's political authority over the Caliph, making (e) None of the above/More than one of the above correct.

Q.9 With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements: (UPSC - 2022)

1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.

2. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.

3. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 (d) 3 only

Ans: (b)

Exp:

·   The first Mongol invasion happened during the reign of Iltutmish because between 1240-66, the Mongols for the first time embarked upon the policy of annexation of India and the golden phase of mutual non-aggression pact with Delhi had ended. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

·   The fourth Mongol invasion during Ala-ud-din Khalji reign took place in 1303 CE. The Mongols numbering 1,20,000 horsemen under the command of Targhi had moved so swiftly that provincial governors could not get time to reach Delhi to help the Sultan. Therefore, Ala-ud-din was not in a position to face the Mongols in an open battle. Avoiding a direct confrontation, he retired to the fort of Siri and took up defensive position. The Mongols plundered the environs of Delhi and besieged the fort for two months. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

·   Another major Mongol invasion took place after the Khaljis had been replaced by the Tughlaq dynasty in the Sultanate. With respect to Muhammad-bin- Tughlaq’s policy, historians have divergent views. According to one version, he defeated the Mongols and himself chased them to drive them out. However, according to another version, Muhammad Tughlaq bribed the Mongols and they went back. Therefore, Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq had not temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.