Delhi Sultanate — Set 1
Indian History · दिल्ली सल्तनत · Questions 1–10 of 100
Who was the founder of the Slave Dynasty in India?
Correct Answer: B. Qutbuddin Aibak
• **Qutbuddin Aibak** founded the Slave/Mamluk Dynasty in **1206 AD** — first ruler of Delhi Sultanate. • He was a **Turkish slave-general** of Muhammad Ghori, who died in 1206 leaving him in charge. • Also called **Mamluk Dynasty** — 'Mamluk' = 'owned' in Arabic; ruled until 1290 AD. • 💡 Iltutmish ≠ founder; Balban = later ruler; Khilji replaced Slave dynasty in 1290.
Which Sultan of Delhi died while playing Chaugan (Polo)?
Correct Answer: A. Qutbuddin Aibak
• **Qutbuddin Aibak** died in **1210 AD** playing Chaugan (polo) at **Lahore** — fell from horse. • **Chaugan** = medieval horse polo; frequently asked as a direct one-word answer in. • Succeeded first by son **Aram Shah**, who was deposed by son-in-law **Iltutmish** (1211). • 💡 Balban, Alauddin, Iltutmish all died naturally — only Aibak died in a sporting accident.
Who completed the construction of the Qutub Minar?
Correct Answer: D. Iltutmish
• **Iltutmish** completed Qutub Minar — Aibak started it (base/first storey only). • **5 storeys** total; Aibak = 1 storey, Iltutmish = 3 storeys, Firoz Tughlaq repaired top two. • **Firoz Shah Tughlaq** rebuilt damaged storeys after a lightning strike — added 5th storey. • 💡 Aibak = started; Iltutmish = completed; Firoz = repaired. Don't confuse builder with completer.
The 'Turkan-i-Chahalgani' or the Group of Forty was organized by which ruler?
Correct Answer: A. Iltutmish
• **Turkan-i-Chahalgani** = Group of Forty powerful Turkish nobles organized by **Iltutmish**. • **40 loyal slave-nobles** assisted in administration; later challenged Sultanate authority. • Destroyed by **Balban** who had been a member himself — he eliminated rivals to seize power. • 💡 Iltutmish = organized the group; Balban = destroyed it. Razia and Aibak had no such group.
Who was the first female Muslim ruler of medieval India?
Correct Answer: C. Razia Sultan
• **Razia Sultan** = first and only female Muslim ruler of Delhi Sultanate — daughter of Iltutmish. • Ruled **1236–1240 AD**; appeared unveiled in public and held court without purdah. • Iltutmish nominated Razia over his sons in his will — unprecedented in medieval India. • 💡 Nur Jahan = Mughal; Chand Bibi = Bijapur/Ahmadnagar; Durgavati = Gondwana — not Delhi Sultanate.
Which Sultan introduced the Persian festival 'Nauroz' in India?
Correct Answer: A. Balban
• **Balban** introduced Persian festival **Nauroz** (Persian New Year) to Delhi Sultanate court. • Used it to elevate the Sultan's prestige — borrowed Persian royal customs and etiquette strictly. • Also introduced **Sijda** (prostration) and **Paibos** (kissing feet) — signs of total submission. • 💡 Firoz Tughlaq = welfare schemes; Alauddin = market reforms; Iltutmish = Iqta system — not Nauroz.
The policy of 'Blood and Iron' was adopted by which Sultan?
Correct Answer: A. Balban
• **Balban's 'Blood and Iron'** policy = ruthless force against rebels, robbers, and Mongol threats. • **Suppressed Mewati robbers** mercilessly; killed all rebels without mercy to restore authority. • Also called **loh-o-khoon** (लौह और रक्त) in Hindi — a frequently asked. • 💡 Muhammad Tughlaq = token currency/capital shift; Alauddin = market reforms — not iron-blood policy.
Who introduced the practice of 'Sijda' (prostration) and 'Paibos' (kissing the feet) in the court?
Correct Answer: A. Balban
• **Sijda** = prostration (forehead to ground); **Paibos** = kissing the Sultan's feet — both by Balban. • Introduced to assert **Zill-i-Ilahi** (Shadow of God) status — demanded absolute submission. • These customs were Persian royal traditions Balban adopted to elevate Sultan's divine image. • 💡 Iltutmish = Turkan-i-Chahalgani; Alauddin = Hilyah/Dagh; Muhammad Tughlaq = token currency — not Sijda.
Who founded the Khilji Dynasty?
Correct Answer: B. Jalaluddin Khilji
• **Jalaluddin Khilji** founded Khilji Dynasty in **1290 AD** — overthrew last Slave ruler Muizuddin Qaiqabad. • Known for his **leniency** — elderly and mild ruler; Khiljis were of Turkish-Afghan mixed origin. • Assassinated by nephew **Alauddin Khilji** in **1296** — Alauddin then seized the throne. • 💡 Alauddin = 2nd Khilji ruler (not founder); Khusrau Khan = ended Khilji dynasty in 1320.
Which Sultan called himself 'Sikandar-i-Sani' (The Second Alexander)?
Correct Answer: D. Alauddin Khilji
• **Alauddin Khilji** took title **'Sikandar-i-Sani'** = 'The Second Alexander' — world conquest ambition. • Title appears on his **coins and inscriptions** — he also wanted to found a new religion (abandoned later). • Successfully stopped **Mongol invasions** multiple times — a rare achievement in medieval India. • 💡 Sikandar Lodi = founded Agra (not this title); Balban = Zill-i-Ilahi; Muhammad Tughlaq = no such title.