Delhi Sultanate — Set 5
Indian History · दिल्ली सल्तनत · Questions 41–50 of 100
The 'Quwwat-ul-Islam' Mosque in Delhi was commissioned by:
Correct Answer: B. Qutbuddin Aibak
• **Quwwat-ul-Islam** Mosque ('Might of Islam') commissioned by **Qutbuddin Aibak** in Delhi. • Located within **Qutub Minar complex** — first mosque built in Delhi after Islamic conquest (1193). • Built using **materials from demolished Hindu and Jain temples** — 27 temples reportedly demolished. • 💡 Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra = Ajmer mosque by Aibak; Alai Darwaza = by Alauddin; Moth Ki Masjid = Sikandar Lodi era.
Who wrote 'Tughlaq Nama'?
Correct Answer: A. Amir Khusrau
• **Amir Khusrau** wrote **'Tughlaq Nama'** — describes Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq's rise and defeat of Khusrau Khan. • His **last historical mathnawi (narrative poem)** — Khusrau died in 1325, same year as the Sultan. • Khusrau also wrote: **Khazain-ul-Futuh** (on Alauddin), **Nuh Sipehr**, **Qiran-ul-Sa'dain**. • 💡 Barani = Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi; Ibn Battuta = Rihla; Isami = Futuh-us-Salatin — not Tughlaq Nama.
Which Sultan established the 'Diwan-i-Mustakhraj' to collect revenue arrears?
Correct Answer: B. Alauddin Khilji
• **Diwan-i-Mustakhraj** = Department to collect **revenue arrears** — established by **Alauddin Khilji**. • Investigated corrupt revenue agents and collectors who failed to deposit full revenue to state. • Part of Alauddin's broader **fiscal reforms**: market control, Kharaj at 50%, and army reforms. • 💡 Firoz = Diwan-i-Khairat (charity), Diwan-i-Bandagan (slaves); Muhammad Tughlaq = Diwan-i-Kohi (agriculture).
Who was the only Sultan to write his own memoirs, 'Futuhat-i-Firoz Shahi'?
Correct Answer: C. Firoz Shah Tughlaq
• **Firoz Shah Tughlaq** wrote **'Futuhat-i-Firoz Shahi'** — his own memoirs (unique among Sultanate rulers). • Described his **ordinances, public works, and Islamic policies** — shows his self-view as pious ruler. • Only Sultan to write his own memoir — Mughal rulers Babur (Baburnama) and Jahangir did later. • 💡 Muhammad Tughlaq = visionary but no memoir; Babur = Baburnama (not Sultanate); Barani = wrote about others.
Which Lodi ruler used the pen name 'Gulrukhi' to write Persian poems?
Correct Answer: C. Sikandar Lodi
• **Sikandar Lodi** wrote Persian poetry under pen name **'Gulrukhi'** — a literary-minded Sultan. • Ordered translation of **Sanskrit works into Persian** — medicine text named 'Farhang-i-Sikandari'. • Founded **Agra (1504)**, introduced Gaz-i-Sikandari, but was religiously intolerant to Hindus. • 💡 Ibrahim Lodi = warrior, no literary activity; Bahlul Lodi = founder; Daulat Khan = Punjab governor — not poet.
Who invited Babur to invade India?
Correct Answer: C. Daulat Khan Lodi
• **Daulat Khan Lodi** (Governor of Punjab) invited **Babur** to invade — to overthrow Sultan Ibrahim Lodi. • **Alam Khan** (Ibrahim's uncle) also joined the invitation — both were political rivals of Ibrahim. • This led to **First Battle of Panipat (1526)** — Babur used artillery (cannons) to win decisively. • 💡 Bairam Khan = Akbar's regent; Rana Sanga = allied with Babur initially, then fought him at Khanwa.
During the Sultanate period, the 'Barid-i-Mumalik' was the head of:
Correct Answer: C. Intelligence and Espionage
• **Barid-i-Mumalik** = head of Intelligence and Espionage department in Delhi Sultanate. • Spies were called **'Barids'** — they reported directly to the Sultan about nobles and state affairs. • Similar to Mughal's **Waqia-i-Navis** (newswriters) — both kept Sultan informed about court intrigue. • 💡 Diwan-i-Arz = Military; Diwan-i-Risalat = Religious/Appeals; Diwan-i-Insha = Royal Correspondence — not Intelligence.
The tax levied on non-Muslims for protection was called:
Correct Answer: A. Jizya
• **Jizya** = poll tax on **non-Muslims (Dhimmis)** for state protection and military service exemption. • Exempt: women, children, old, poor, and disabled — only able-bodied non-Muslim men paid. • **Firoz Shah Tughlaq** first imposed it on **Brahmins** (previously exempt); **Aurangzeb** later reimposed it. • 💡 Kharaj = land/agricultural tax; Khams = 1/5 of war booty; Zakat = Islamic charity tax on Muslims only.
Who built the 'Hauz Khas' reservoir in Delhi?
Correct Answer: B. Alauddin Khilji
• **Hauz Khas** (originally **Hauz-i-Alai**) reservoir was built by **Alauddin Khilji** to supply Siri city. • **'Hauz Khas'** = Royal Tank/Pond — later repaired and expanded by Firoz Shah Tughlaq. • Firoz Shah built a **madrasa and tomb** beside it — Hauz Khas complex still exists in Delhi today. • 💡 Sikandar Lodi = built Agra; Iltutmish = built in Qutub complex; Firoz = repaired Hauz Khas but didn't build it.
Which dynasty's period is referred to as the 'Mamluk' period?
Correct Answer: D. Slave
• **Slave Dynasty = Mamluk Dynasty** — 'Mamluk' is Arabic for 'owned' (referring to slave soldiers). • Key Slave rulers: **Aibak (1206), Iltutmish (1210), Razia (1236), Balban (1266)** — all had slave origins. • Ruled from **1206 to 1290 AD** — ended when Jalaluddin Khilji overthrew the last slave Sultan. • 💡 Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi — none called Mamluk; only the first dynasty uses this Arabic term.