Delhi Sultanate Quiz

Medieval India – Delhi Sultanate Quiz

Q1. Assertion (A): Qutbuddin Aibak is called Lakh Baksh.
Reason (R): He was a slave of Muhammad Ghori and later distributed immense wealth to nobles and scholars.

a) A and R true, R explains A
b) A and R true, R not explanation
c) A true, R false
d) Both false

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding Iltutmish:

1. He introduced the silver tanka and copper jital.
2. He refused to shelter Mongols led by Genghis Khan.
3. He founded the Chahalgani (group of 40 nobles).
4. He received mansur (recognition) from the Caliph of Baghdad.

Which of the above are correct?
a) 1, 2, 3 only
b) 1, 3, 4 only
c) 1, 2, 3, 4
d) 2 and 4 only

Q3. Match rulers with their nicknames/titles:

1. Qutbuddin Aibak → a) Lakh Baksh
2. Iltutmish → b) Real founder of Delhi Sultanate
3. Balban → c) Zil-i-Ilahi (Shadow of God)
4. Alauddin Khilji → d) Sikandar-i-Sani

Options:
a) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d
b) 1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c
c) 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b
d) 1-a, 2-d, 3-b, 4-c

Q4.A: Razia Sultan failed mainly because of her gender.
R: The Turkish nobility (Chahalgani) could not accept a woman ruler and opposed her policies.

a) A true, R true, R explains A
b) A true, R true, R not explanation
c) A true, R false
d) Both false

Q5.  Which of the following reforms are correctly attributed to Alauddin Khilji?

1. Market control system to regulate grain prices.
2. Dagh (horse branding system).
3. Chehra (descriptive rolls of soldiers).
4. Abolition of Iqta system.

a) 1, 2, 3 only
b) 1 and 4 only
c) 2, 3, 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3, 4

Q6. Arrange the rulers in correct chronological order:

1. Alauddin Khilji
2. Balban
3. Razia Sultan
4. Iltutmish

a) 4 → 3 → 2 → 1
b) 4 → 2 → 3 → 1
c) 3 → 4 → 2 → 1
d) 2 → 4 → 3 → 1

Q7. A: Balban enforced the Persian customs of Sijdah and Paibos.
R: He wanted to elevate the Sultan above nobles as a divinely appointed ruler.

a) A and R true; R explains A
b) A and R true; R not explanation
c) A true, R false
d) Both false

Q8.  Consider the following statements about Qutbuddin Aibak:

1. He constructed Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque in Delhi.
2. He completed Qutb Minar.
3. He started the construction of Adhai Din ka Jhopra mosque in Ajmer.

Correct statements are:
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 2 only
d) 1, 2, 3

Q9. Match the rulers with their military policies:

1. Iltutmish → a) Introduced Iqta system
2. Balban → b) Policy of Blood and Iron
3. Alauddin Khilji → c) Market regulation to maintain army
4. Razia → d) Appointment of Abyssinian nobles

Options:
a) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d
b) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-d
c) 1-c, 2-a, 3-d, 4-b
d) 1-d, 2-a, 3-b, 4-c

Q10. A: Alauddin Khilji imposed high taxes in the Doab region.
R: He wanted to prevent hoarding and ensure cheap supply of food grains for his army.

a) A and R true; R explains A
b) A and R true; R not explanation
c) A true, R false
d) Both false

Q11. With reference to Razia Sultan, consider:

1. She relied on Abyssinian slave nobles.
2. She suppressed Mongol invasions successfully.
3. She was killed in battle near Kaithal.

Correct statements:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, 3

Q12 Match the officials with rulers:

1. Amir-i-Akhur (master of horses) → a) Alauddin Khilji
2. Barid (secret spies) → b) Balban
3. Diwan-i-Riyasat → c) Alauddin Khilji
4. Naib-e-Mamluk → d) Balban

Options:
a) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d
b) 1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c
c) 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a
d) 1-a, 2-d, 3-b, 4-c

Q13. A: Iltutmish’s rule is often considered more significant than Aibak’s.
R: He consolidated the Sultanate, introduced currency reforms, and secured Caliphal recognition.

a) A and R true, R explains A
b) A and R true, R not explanation
c) A true, R false
d) Both false

Q14. Which of the following statements about Balban are correct?

1. He strengthened military and introduced blood and iron policy.
2. He created Diwan-i-Arz for army administration.
3. He destroyed Mewatis and forest tribes near Delhi.
4. He encouraged wine drinking in court.

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

Q15. Match the conquests with rulers:

1. Alauddin Khilji → a) Gujarat and Deccan expeditions
2. Balban → b) Suppression of Rajputs in Doab
3. Iltutmish → c) Submission of Ranthambore
4. Aibak → d) Ajmer and Kalinjar

Options:
a) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d
b) 1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b
c) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b, 4-d
d) 1-c, 2-b, 3-d, 4-a

Q16. A: Alauddin Khilji did not seek formal recognition from the Caliph of Baghdad.
R: He wanted to project himself as an independent sovereign free from Caliphal authority.

a) A true, R true, R explains A
b) A true, R true, R not explanation
c) A true, R false
d) Both false

Q17. Consider about Qutbuddin Aibak:

1. He died while playing polo.
2. He built Adhai Din ka Jhopra in Delhi.
3. He was called Lakh Baksh.

Correct statements:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, 3

Q18. Match works with their patrons:

1. Alauddin Khilji → a) Amir Khusrau
2. Iltutmish → b) Minhaj-us-Siraj
3. Balban → c) Shams-i-Siraj Afif
4. Aibak → d) Hasan Nizami

Options:
a) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d
b) 1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c
c) 1-c, 2-d, 3-b, 4-a
d) 1-a, 2-d, 3-b, 4-c

Q19. A: Balban destroyed the Mewatis and checked lawlessness around Delhi.
R: His policy was to strengthen central control and maintain security.

a) A true, R true, R explains A
b) A true, R true, R not explanation
c) A true, R false
d) Both false

Q20. Which of the following statements regarding Alauddin Khilji are correct?

1. He captured Gujarat and Malwa.
2. Malik Kafur was his general in Deccan campaigns.
3. He assumed the title Ghazi after defeating Mongols.
4. He abolished pilgrim tax.

a) 1, 2, 3 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3, 4

Q21. Match sultans with their administrative measures:

1. Iltutmish → a) Silver tanka
2. Balban → b) Zil-i-Ilahi theory
3. Alauddin Khilji → c) Dagh & Chehra
4. Razia → d) Appointment of Abyssinian nobles

Options:
a) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d
b) 1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c
c) 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b
d) 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a

Q22. A: Razia Sultan dressed like men while leading armies.
R: She wanted to assert her authority and win respect in a patriarchal society.

a) A and R true, R explains A
b) A and R true, R not explanation
c) A true, R false
d) Both false

Q23. Consider the following regarding Balban:

1. He appointed spies (barids) across the empire.
2. He introduced Persian etiquette in court.
3. He patronized Amir Khusrau’s works.
4. He suppressed Mongols with great success.

Correct are:
a) 1, 2 only
b) 2, 3 only
c) 1, 2, 4 only
d) 1, 3, 4 only

Q24. Match the incidents with rulers:

1. Fall from horse while playing polo → a) Aibak
2. Mongol invasion during reign → b) Iltutmish
3. Assumed title Sikandar-i-Sani → c) Alauddin Khilji
4. Appointment of Abyssinian nobles → d) Razia

Options:
a) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d
b) 1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c
c) 1-c, 2-d, 3-b, 4-a
d) 1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b

Q25. A: Balban followed the maxim “Kingship knows no kinship.”
R: He executed his own son for misconduct to enforce royal discipline.

a) A and R true; R explains A
b) A and R true; R not explanation
c) A true, R false
d) Both false

Answers with Explanations

Q1. a) A and R true, R explains A ✅
Explanation: Aibak was called Lakh Baksh (“giver of lakhs”) because he generously distributed wealth to nobles, scholars, and the poor.

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Q2. c) 1, 2, 3, 4 ✅
Explanation: Iltutmish introduced tanka and jital, denied shelter to Genghis Khan, created Chahalgani, and got recognition (Mansur) from the Abbasid Caliph.

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Q3. a) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d ✅
Explanation:

• Aibak → Lakh Baksh

• Iltutmish → Real founder

• Balban → Zil-i-Ilahi

• Alauddin → Sikandar-i-Sani

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Q4. a) A true, R true, R explains A ✅
Explanation: Razia failed mainly because she was a woman; Turkish nobles (Chahalgani) opposed her rule.

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Q5. a) 1, 2, 3 only ✅
Explanation: Alauddin introduced market control, Dagh, Chehra. He did not abolish Iqta system.

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Q6. a) 4 → 3 → 2 → 1 ✅
Explanation: Chronology: Iltutmish (1211–36) → Razia (1236–40) → Balban (1266–87) → Alauddin Khilji (1296–1316).

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Q7. a) A and R true; R explains A ✅
Explanation: Balban introduced Persian court customs like Sijda and Paibos to glorify Sultan as God’s shadow.

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Q8. a) 1 and 3 only ✅
Explanation: Aibak built Quwwat-ul-Islam (Delhi) and Adhai Din ka Jhopra (Ajmer). Qutb Minar was completed by Iltutmish, not Aibak.

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Q9. a) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d ✅
Explanation:

• Iltutmish → Iqta system

• Balban → Blood and Iron

• Alauddin → Market regulation

• Razia → Abyssinian nobles

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Q10. a) A and R true; R explains A ✅
Explanation: Alauddin levied high tax in Doab to prevent hoarding and ensure cheap food for his army.

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Q11. c) 1 and 3 only ✅
Explanation: Razia relied on Abyssinians and died near Kaithal. She did not stop Mongols.

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Q12. a) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d ✅
Explanation:

• Amir-i-Akhur → Alauddin

• Barid → Balban

• Diwan-i-Riyasat → Alauddin

• Naib-e-Mamluk → Balban

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Q13. a) A and R true, R explains A ✅
Explanation: Iltutmish was more significant than Aibak—currency reforms, consolidation, Caliphal recognition.

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Q14. a) 1, 2, 3 only ✅
Explanation: Balban strengthened army, established Diwan-i-Arz, crushed Mewatis. He discouraged wine in court.

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Q15. a) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d ✅
Explanation:

• Alauddin → Gujarat & Deccan

• Balban → Suppressed Rajputs in Doab

• Iltutmish → Ranthambore submission

• Aibak → Ajmer & Kalinjar

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Q16. a) A true, R true, R explains A ✅
Explanation: Alauddin rejected Caliphal authority, claiming independent sovereignty.

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Q17. b) 1 and 3 only ✅
Explanation: Aibak died falling from horse while playing polo, called Lakh Baksh. Adhai Din ka Jhopra was in Ajmer (not Delhi).

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Q18. a) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d ✅
Explanation:

• Alauddin → Amir Khusrau

• Iltutmish → Minhaj-us-Siraj

• Balban → Shams-i-Siraj Afif

• Aibak → Hasan Nizami

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Q19. a) A true, R true, R explains A ✅
Explanation: Balban suppressed Mewatis and lawlessness to strengthen central authority.

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Q20. a) 1, 2, 3 only ✅
Explanation: Alauddin conquered Gujarat, Malwa, Deccan (Malik Kafur led), assumed Ghazi title. He did not abolish pilgrim tax.

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Q21. a) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d ✅
Explanation:

• Iltutmish → Silver tanka

• Balban → Zil-i-Ilahi

• Alauddin → Dagh & Chehra

• Razia → Abyssinian nobles

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Q22. a) A and R true, R explains A ✅
Explanation: Razia dressed like a man to command respect and authority in patriarchal society.

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Q23. a) 1, 2 only ✅
Explanation: Balban used spies, Persian court culture. He did not patronize Amir Khusrau (Alauddin did), and Mongols were checked but not “fully” defeated.

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Q24. a) 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d ✅
Explanation:

• Aibak → death by fall from horse (polo)

• Iltutmish → Mongol invasions

• Alauddin → Sikandar-i-Sani

• Razia → Abyssinian nobles

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Q25. a) A and R true; R explains A ✅
Explanation: Balban upheld Kingship knows no kinship—he punished even his own son for misconduct.