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Medieval India (B) The Delhi Sultanate: ICSE Class 9 Total History
Get notes, summary, questions and answers, MCQs, extras, and PDFs of Chapter 8 “Medieval India (B) The Delhi Sultanate: ICSE Class 9 Total History” which is part of ICSE Class 9 History (Total History). However, the notes should only be treated as references and changes should be made according to the needs of the students.
If you notice any errors in the notes, please mention them in the comments
Summary
The chapter on the Delhi Sultanate provides a detailed overview of the political history, administration, and sources of information for the period between 1206 and 1526, when five successive dynasties ruled from Delhi. These were the Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodhi dynasties. The chapter begins by explaining how the absence of a powerful central government in North India during the 10th and 11th centuries led to the rise of small kingdoms. This fragmentation allowed the Turks to establish their empire in the 13th century.
One of the key figures during this time was Qutubuddin Aibak, a slave general who is regarded as the founder of the Slave dynasty. Known as the Mamluk Sultans, these rulers were either slaves or sons of slaves. Aibak began the construction of the Qutub Minar, which was later completed by Iltutmish. Aibak’s rule was marked by military conquests, and he was known for his generosity, earning the title ‘Lakhbaksh’ for his liberal distribution of money.
The chapter also covers the reign of Alauddin Khilji, who is remembered for his strong military strategies and market regulations. He conquered most of northern India and introduced several administrative reforms, such as paying soldiers in cash and regulating market prices for essential commodities. His policies aimed at controlling the nobility and maintaining a large, permanent standing army.
Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, another significant ruler, is known for his controversial decisions, such as shifting the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and introducing a failed token currency. These actions led to hardships for the people and economic chaos. Despite these failures, Tughlaq was a learned man with interests in various fields of knowledge.
The chapter concludes with a discussion on the Sultanate’s administrative structure, where the Sultan held supreme authority, supported by ministers and officials who managed different aspects of governance. The state was divided into provinces, each overseen by officials responsible for local administration and revenue collection. The system of granting revenue from territories, known as the ‘iqta system,’ played a crucial role in the administration during the Sultanate period.
Textbook (Total History) solutions
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Who among the following was not involved in the construction of the Qutub Minar?
A. Qutubuddin Aibak
B. Iltutmish
C. Alauddin Khilji
D. Feroz Shah Tughluq
Answer: C. Alauddin Khilji
2. Which is the chronological order of the dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Khilji; Slave; Lodhi; Sayyid; Tughlaq
B. Slave; Khilji; Tughlaq; Sayyid; Lodhi
C. Slave; Khilji; Lodhi; Sayyid; Tughlaq
D. Slave; Khilji; Tughlaq; Lodhi; Sayyid
Answer: B. Slave; Khilji; Tughlaq; Sayyid; Lodhi
3. Which amongst the following was one of the markets set up by Alauddin Khilji?
A. Costly cloth
B. Horses, Slaves and Cattle
C. Gold, Silver, Copper
D. Food grains
Answer: D. Food grains
4. Name the first ruler of Delhi to lay the foundation of a permanent standing army.
A. Alauddin Khilji
B. Shihabuddin Masud
C. Muhammad Bin Tughlaq
D. Jauna Khan
Answer: A. Alauddin Khilji
5. Complete the analogy with reference to Khilji administration: Market controller: Shahna :: Identity card:
A. Dagh
B. Chehra
C. Tanka
Answer: B. Chehra
6. Complete the following analogy with respect to the Sultanate administration: diwan-i-risalat: religious matters :: diwan-i-insha:
A. Army
B. State correspondence
C. Land grants
D. Provincial administration
Answer: B. State correspondence
Select the correct relationship
1. (A) It was during the 10th and 11th centuries that Turks began their conquests in India. (B) By this period, a number of small kingdoms emerged in North India, who were at conflict with one another.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (B) is the reason for (A)
Explanation: The statement (A) mentions the Turkish conquests in India, which were facilitated by the situation described in (B). The emergence of many small, conflicting kingdoms in North India created an environment of disunity and weakness, making it easier for the Turks to successfully invade and establish their dominance. Therefore, (B) directly explains why (A) occurred.
2. (A) Qutub Minar was dedicated to the Sufi saint, Qutb-ud-din Bakhtiyar Kaki. (B) The construction of Qutub Minar was started by Iltutmish.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (a) (B) contradicts (A)
Explanation: Statement (A) is correct in stating that Qutub Minar was dedicated to the Sufi saint, Qutb-ud-din Bakhtiyar Kaki. However, (B) is incorrect because the construction of Qutub Minar was actually initiated by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, not Iltutmish. Iltutmish completed the construction, but he did not start it, which contradicts (A).
3. (A) Iltutmish nominated his daughter, Razia, as his successor. (B) Iltutmish knew that his sons were incapable of ruling.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (b) (B) is the reason for (A)
Explanation: Statement (B) provides the rationale behind (A). Iltutmish chose his daughter, Razia, as his successor because he recognized that his sons lacked the capability to rule effectively. Therefore, (B) explains why Iltutmish made the decision described in (A).
4. (A) Alauddin Khalji was the founder of the Khalji dynasty. (B) On ascending the throne, Alauddin had to face a rebellion by the Mongols.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Explanation: Statement (A) and (B) are both true, but they describe separate aspects of Alauddin Khalji’s reign. (A) discusses his role in founding the Khalji dynasty, while (B) describes an event (a Mongol rebellion) that occurred after he became the ruler. These two statements are independent of each other because one does not directly cause or explain the other.
5. (A) Alauddin Khilji was the first ruler who laid the foundation of a permanent standing army. (B) He also started the system of Chehra, i.e., giving a kind of identity card.
(a) (B) contradicts (A)
(b) (B) is the reason for (A)
(c) (A) is true but (B) is false
(d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Answer: (d) (A) and (B) are independent of each other.
Explanation: While both statements (A) and (B) are factual, they pertain to different initiatives by Alauddin Khilji. (A) refers to his establishment of a permanent standing army, which was a significant military reform. (B), on the other hand, refers to the Chehra system, which was an administrative reform to ensure the identification and accountability of soldiers. These two actions were part of his broader governance strategy but are not directly related in a cause-and-effect manner.
Short Answer Questions
1. Who was the founder of the Slave dynasty in India? Give the other name for this dynasty.
Answer: Qutubuddin Aibak was the founder of the Slave dynasty in India. The other name for this dynasty is the Mamluk dynasty.
2. Why was Qutubuddin known as Lakhbaksh? List any two of his qualities.
Answer: Qutubuddin was known as Lakhbaksh because of his liberal distribution of money. Two of his qualities were being a brave and capable military general, and a man of letters who had scholars like Hasan Nizami and Fakhre Mudir in his court.
3. State any two architectural features of Qutub Minar.
Answer:
- The Qutub Minar has five storeys, tapering as they ascend, each separated from the other by a projecting balcony.
- It is a circular tower about 13.8 metres in diameter at the base, tapering to around 3 metres at the summit, with a circular stairway of 379 steps leading to the top.
4. Mention any two military reforms introduced by Alauddin Khilji.
Answer:
- Alauddin Khilji introduced the system of branding horses (dagh) to ensure the quality of horses used by soldiers.
- He also started the system of chehra, which was a kind of identity card for every soldier.
5. How did Alauddin Khilji expand his empire?
Answer: Alauddin Khilji expanded his empire by conquering most of northern India, including territories like Malwa, Ujjain, Dhar, Chanderi, and Mandu. He also sent an expedition to the Deccan, forcing the rulers of Devagiri, Warangal, Dwarasamudra, and Madurai to accept his overlordship and pay annual tribute to him.
6. Mention the two controversial steps taken by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq.
Answer:
- Muhammad Bin Tughlaq introduced the token currency, which led to chaos due to the circulation of counterfeit coins.
- He also decided to shift his capital from Delhi to Devagiri (renamed Daulatabad), causing hardships to the people.
7. Who was the commander-in-chief of the army during the Sultanate period? Name the department which dealt with state correspondence during the Sultanate period.
Answer: The Sultan himself was the commander-in-chief of the army during the Sultanate period. The department which dealt with state correspondence was called the diwan-i-insha.
8. What was the iqta system?
Answer: The iqta system was the practice of giving grants of revenue from a territory. Those who were given iqtas were called iqtadars, and they had to maintain themselves, their families, and some soldiers for use by the Sultan during war.
Structured Questions
1. With reference to the Khilji dynasty, answer the following questions:
(a) What were the steps taken by Alauddin Khilji to regulate prices?
Answer: Alauddin Khilji is best known in history for his market regulations. He fixed the cost of all commodities such as food grains, sugar, and cooking oil. For this purpose, he set up three markets at Delhi: one market for food grains, the second for costly cloth, and the third for horses, slaves, and cattle. Each market was put under the charge of a controller of market (Shahna). Very strict punishments were prescribed for cheating and underweighing goods.
(b) What were the methods adopted by Alauddin Khilji to crush the power of the nobility?
Answer: Alauddin Khilji took a number of measures to crush the power of the nobility: (i) The Nobles were not allowed to hold parties or festivities or to form marriage alliances without the permission of the Sultan. (ii) The use of wine and intoxicants was banned. (iii) Gambling was forbidden and gamblers were severely punished. (iv) He stopped paying the soldiers in land and introduced cash salaries. (v) He established an efficient spy system to keep a check on the activities of the nobles.
(c) What measures did Alauddin Khilji take to increase the revenue?
Answer: Alauddin Khilji introduced a number of important measures to get maximum revenue. He brought all the land of the empire under his direct control. He introduced the practice of measuring the land and fixing the state share accordingly. He increased the land revenue from one-third to one-half and demanded it to be paid in cash and not in kind. He appointed special officers to collect land revenue.
2. With reference to the reign of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, explain the following:
(a) His attempts to transfer the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad.
Answer: During Muhammad Bin Tughlaq’s reign, the empire had spread to the south. He shifted his capital to Devagiri, near modern Aurangabad, and renamed it Daulatabad. He did it for the following reasons:
- Daulatabad was centrally located from where he could control the Deccan territories.
- Delhi was in the grip of severe famine.
- Delhi was constantly threatened by Mongol invasions. He ordered the people of Delhi, including religious heads, to shift to Daulatabad. However, on realising the gravity of the threat from the northwest, he decided to shift the capital back to Delhi. This caused a lot of hardships to the people.
(b) Introduction of token currency.
Answer: Another controversial step taken by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq was the introduction of “token currency.” This involved the introduction of bronze tankas in place of silver tankas, due to the shortage of silver. However, this experiment failed due to the circulation of counterfeit or fake coins on a very large scale, which caused chaos in trade and commerce. Consequently, he withdrew the token currency.
(c) Increased taxation in Doab and its consequences.
Answer: Muhammad Bin Tughlaq wanted to conquer territories not only in India but also in Central Asia. For this, he required a large army and, therefore, large amounts of money to pay for the army. So, in order to get more revenue, he increased the land tax in the fertile region of the Ganga-Yamuna doab. At the same time, a severe famine broke out in the area, and the people refused to pay the extra taxes and rose in rebellion. However, the tax collectors showed no mercy and took stern measures to collect the taxes, causing some peasants to abandon their lands and flee to jungles. Muhammad Bin Tughlaq later took steps to fight the famine by ordering free distribution of grains, advancing loans to the peasants, and improving irrigation facilities, but it was too late, and many people starved to death as agriculture suffered a heavy setback in the doab area.
3. With reference to the administrative system of the Delhi Sultanate, give the functions of each of the following officials:
(a) Ariz-i-mumalik
Answer: The Ariz-i-mumalik was the minister in charge of the army. The ariz was not the commander-in-chief of the army, since the Sultan himself commanded all the armed forces. The special responsibility of the ariz’s department was to recruit, equip, and pay the army.
(b) Wazir
Answer: The Wazir acted as the Prime Minister. He supervised the work of the other officials. The final decisions were always taken by the Sultan.
(c) Diwan-i-risalat
Answer: The Diwan-i-risalat dealt with religious matters and was presided over by the Chief Sadar, who was generally a leading qazi. The qazi was the head of the department of justice and advised the Sultan on civil and religious matters.
4. Study the picture and answer the following questions:
(a) Who began erecting this monument? Who completed it? Where is it located?
Answer: Qutub-ud-din Aibak began erecting this monument. It was completed by Iltutmish. It is located in Delhi.
(b) Name the saint after whom the monument is named. What information do the monuments of the Sultanate period provide about the Sultanate era?
Answer: The monument is named after the Sufi saint Khwaja Qutub-ud-din Bakhtiyar Kaki. The monuments of the Sultanate period provide information about the cultural trends, architectural styles, and the socio-cultural outlook of the rulers during the Sultanate era.
(c) Mention any four architectural features of the monument.
Answer:
- The Minar is a circular tower about 13.8 metres in diameter at the base and tapers to a width of around 3 metres at the summit.
- It has a circular stairway of 379 steps leading to the top.
- Each of the towers has a projecting balcony.
- Verses from the Holy Quran and some intricate carvings with floral motifs are inscribed on this tower.
Thinking Skills
1. Besides the lack of political unity in northern India by the 13th century, what were the other factors that made it possible for the Turks to establish their empire in northern India?
Answer: Besides the lack of political unity in northern India by the 13th century, the other factors that made it possible for the Turks to establish their empire in northern India were the superior military techniques of the Turks, the use of horses and cavalry, and the weak state of the local rulers.
2. Imagine that you are transported in a time-machine to Alauddin Khilji’s reign. You visited a number of markets. Write what you saw about the commodities being sold, the price regulations and punishments meted out to the sellers for cheating the consumers. Do you think that the market regulations at present match up to Alauddin Khilji’s reign or are better or need some changes?
Answer: In Alauddin Khilji’s reign, I saw that the markets were well-organized and divided into sections for different commodities like food grains, cloth, and cattle. The prices of all commodities were strictly regulated and displayed openly. There were officers called shahnaz who enforced the regulations. If any seller was caught cheating or under-weighing goods, they were severely punished. The market regulations at present are more lenient compared to Alauddin Khilji’s reign. However, some aspects like the display of prices and quality control could benefit from stricter enforcement similar to Alauddin Khilji’s system.
3. Suppose you met a person belonging to Muhammad Bin Tughlaq’s reign, who had to shift to Daulatabad when the capital was shifted there. Write down what he described about the circumstances that forced him to shift, the difficulties which he and others like him faced while moving from Delhi to Daulatabad.
Answer: The person described that the circumstances forcing him to shift to Daulatabad were orders from Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, who wanted to move the capital from Delhi to a more centrally located place. He mentioned that the journey was long and arduous, with many people suffering from lack of food and water. The climate in Daulatabad was different from Delhi, making it difficult for many to adjust. The person also spoke about the loss of property and the challenges of rebuilding their lives in a new and unfamiliar place.
Extra/additional MCQs
1. Which period is known as the period of the Delhi Sultanate?
A. 1000-1200
B. 1206-1526
C. 1100-1300
D. 1300-1500
Answer: B. 1206-1526
Q. Which Sultan is credited with completing the construction of the Qutub Minar?
A. Qutub-ud-din Aibak
B. Iltutmish
C. Alauddin Khilji
D. Feroz Shah Tughlaq
Answer: B. Iltutmish
Q. Which dynasty was the first of the five ruling dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Khilji
B. Tughlaq
C. Lodhi
D. Slave
Answer: D. Slave
Q. What was the height of the Qutub Minar when it was originally completed?
A. 100 metres
B. 81.4 metres
C. 61.4 metres
D. 71.4 metres
Answer: D. 71.4 metres
Q. Who was the founder of the Slave dynasty in the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Muhammad Ghori
B. Qutub-ud-din Aibak
C. Iltutmish
D. Alauddin Khilji
Answer: B. Qutub-ud-din Aibak
Q. What was the name of the first coin issued by Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji?
A. Dinar
B. Dirham
C. Tanka
D. Both Arabic and Sanskrit inscriptions
Answer: D. Both Arabic and Sanskrit inscriptions
Q. Who was the first woman ruler of the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Razia Sultana
B. Noor Jahan
C. Rani Lakshmibai
D. Sultana Begum
Answer: A. Razia Sultana
Q. Who introduced market regulations in the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Qutub-ud-din Aibak
B. Iltutmish
C. Alauddin Khilji
D. Feroz Shah Tughlaq
Answer: C. Alauddin Khilji
Q. What was the controversial step taken by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq regarding currency?
A. Introduction of gold coins
B. Introduction of token currency
C. Introduction of silver coins
D. Introduction of copper coins
Answer: B. Introduction of token currency
Q. Who established the system of branding horses (dagh) and giving identity cards (chehra) to soldiers?
A. Alauddin Khilji
B. Muhammad Bin Tughlaq
C. Feroz Shah Tughlaq
D. Qutub-ud-din Aibak
Answer: A. Alauddin Khilji
Q. Who introduced cash salaries instead of land grants for soldiers?
A. Iltutmish
B. Alauddin Khilji
C. Balban
D. Feroz Shah Tughlaq
Answer: B. Alauddin Khilji
Q. What was the title taken by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq Shah after ascending the throne?
A. Sultan
B. Emperor
C. Tughlaq
D. Shah
Answer: D. Shah
Q. Which department dealt with religious matters during the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Diwan-i-Arz
B. Diwan-i-Insha
C. Diwan-i-Risalat
D. Diwan-i-Wazir
Answer: C. Diwan-i-Risalat
Q. What was the lowest administrative unit in the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Province
B. Shiq
C. Pargana
D. Village
Answer: D. Village
Q. What system involved giving grants of revenue from a territory during the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Jagir system
B. Zamindari system
C. Iqta system
D. Mansabdari system
Answer: C. Iqta system
Q. Who was the viceroy left behind by the Turks after the conquest of Delhi?
A. Qutub-ud-din Aibak
B. Iltutmish
C. Alauddin Khilji
D. Muhammad Ghori
Answer: A. Qutub-ud-din Aibak
Q. What title did Qutub-ud-din Aibak earn due to his generosity?
A. Sultanal Azam
B. Lakhbaksh
C. Malik ul Mulk
D. Qutb ul Islam
Answer: B. Lakhbaksh
Q. In which year did Qutub-ud-din Aibak die?
A. 1206
B. 1210
C. 1215
D. 1220
Answer: B. 1210
Q. Who succeeded Qutub-ud-din Aibak as the Sultan?
A. Iltutmish
B. Aram Shah
C. Ruknuddin
D. Razia Sultana
Answer: B. Aram Shah
Q. Who founded the Khilji dynasty by murdering the last king of the Slave dynasty?
A. Alauddin Khilji
B. Jalaluddin Khilji
C. Ghiyas-ud-din Khilji
D. Malik Kafur
Answer: B. Jalaluddin Khilji
Q. Which Sultan sent an expedition to the Deccan under Malik Kafur?
A. Muhammad Bin Tughlaq
B. Alauddin Khilji
C. Feroz Shah Tughlaq
D. Balban
Answer: B. Alauddin Khilji
Q. Which dynasty followed the Khilji dynasty in the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Tughlaq
B. Sayyid
C. Lodhi
D. Slave
Answer: A. Tughlaq
Q. Which ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty is known for shifting the capital to Devagiri?
A. Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq
B. Muhammad Bin Tughlaq
C. Feroz Shah Tughlaq
D. Nasiruddin Mahmud
Answer: B. Muhammad Bin Tughlaq
Q. Which region faced increased taxation under Muhammad Bin Tughlaq?
A. Punjab
B. Bengal
C. Ganga-Yamuna Doab
D. Gujarat
Answer: C. Ganga-Yamuna Doab
Q. Which Sultan of Delhi Sultanate was known for his interest in Persian literature, music, and fine arts?
A. Alauddin Khilji
B. Muhammad Bin Tughlaq
C. Iltutmish
D. Feroz Shah Tughlaq
Answer: B. Muhammad Bin Tughlaq
Q. What was the chief department responsible for justice during the Delhi Sultanate called?
A. Diwan-i-Arz
B. Diwan-i-Wazir
C. Diwan-i-Risalat
D. Diwan-i-Qaza
Answer: D. Diwan-i-Qaza
Q. Which Sultan banned the use of wine and intoxicants during his reign?
A. Qutub-ud-din Aibak
B. Alauddin Khilji
C. Iltutmish
D. Feroz Shah Tughlaq
Answer: B. Alauddin Khilji
Q. The official records, administrative manuals, and chronicles of the Delhi Sultanate were primarily written in which language?
A. Arabic
B. Persian
C. Sanskrit
D. Urdu
Answer: B. Persian
Q. Which department was responsible for state correspondence during the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Diwan-i-Insha
B. Diwan-i-Arz
C. Diwan-i-Risalat
D. Diwan-i-Qaza
Answer: A. Diwan-i-Insha
29. The construction of Qutub Minar was dedicated to which Sufi saint?
A. Hazrat Nizamuddin
B. Moinuddin Chishti
C. Qutb-ud-din Bakhtiyar Kaki
D. Baba FaridAnswer: C. Qutb-ud-din Bakhtiyar Kaki
Extra/additional questions and answers
1. What was the main reason for the quick victories of the Turks in North India?
Answer: The lack of political unity.
Q. In which century was the Turkish Empire established in India?
Answer: In the 13th century.
Q. What is the period between 1206 and 1526 in India known as?
Answer: The period of Delhi Sultanate.
Q. What language were the histories of the Delhi Sultanate written in?
Answer: Persian.
Q. Who started the construction of the Qutub Minar?
Answer: Qutub-ud-din Aibak.
Q. Who completed the construction of the Qutub Minar?
Answer: Iltutmish.
Q. What was the height of the Qutub Minar when originally completed?
Answer: 71.4 metres.
Q. Which ruler raised the height of the Qutub Minar after it was damaged by lightning?
Answer: Feroz Shah Tughlaq.
Q. What material was primarily used to construct the Qutub Minar?
Answer: Red sandstone, marble, and grey quartzite.
Q. Who was regarded as the founder of the Slave dynasty?
Answer: Qutub-ud-din Aibak.
Q. What title did Qutub-ud-din Aibak earn for his generosity?
Answer: Lakhbaksh.
Q. How did Qutub-ud-din Aibak die?
Answer: He died from a fall from a horse while playing polo.
Q. Who succeeded Qutub-ud-din Aibak as Sultan?
Answer: Aram Shah.
Q. Who became the first woman ruler of the Delhi Sultanate?
Answer: Razia Sultana.
Q. Why were the small kingdoms in North India constantly at conflict with one another during the 10th and 11th centuries?
Answer: The small kingdoms in North India during the 10th and 11th centuries were constantly at conflict with one another primarily because there was no powerful central government to unite them. This political fragmentation made them vulnerable and led to frequent conflicts as they vied for power and control. The absence of a unifying authority also contributed to their inability to resist external invasions effectively, which later facilitated the rapid conquest of these regions by the Turks in the 11th and 12th centuries.
Q. What sources provide information about the Delhi Sultanate, and why are they important?
Answer: Information about the Delhi Sultanate comes from various sources, including official records, administrative manuals, biographies, autobiographies, court histories, chronicles, foreign travellers’ accounts, and private correspondence. These sources are crucial for reconstructing the history of the Delhi Sultanate as they offer insights into the political, social, and cultural aspects of the period. The histories, or ‘tawarikh,’ written in Persian by learned men like secretaries, administrators, poets, and courtiers, are particularly important, as they not only document events but also reflect the authors’ attempts to gain favor with the Sultans.
Q. What were the key features of the Qutub Minar, and who was it dedicated to?
Answer: The Qutub Minar, initially started by Qutub-ud-din Aibak and completed by Iltutmish, is a significant monument of the Delhi Sultanate. When originally completed, it stood 71.4 metres tall with four storeys, which were later increased by Feroz Shah Tughlaq after lightning damage. The structure features five storeys, each separated by projecting balconies. The entrance is on the northern side, and the Minar has a circular stairway of 379 steps leading to the top. The tower is built using red sandstone, marble, and grey quartzite, and it is adorned with verses from the Quran and intricate carvings with floral motifs. The Minar was dedicated to the Sufi saint Qutb-ud-din Bakhtiyar Kaki, who was greatly revered by the people of Delhi.
Q. How did Alauddin Khilji manage to control the nobility during his reign?
Answer: Alauddin Khilji took several stringent measures to control the nobility during his reign, aimed at preventing rebellions and consolidating his power. He prohibited nobles from holding parties or festivities and forming marriage alliances without his permission. He also banned the use of wine and intoxicants and forbade gambling, with severe punishments for those who violated these rules. Additionally, he stopped paying soldiers with land grants and introduced cash salaries, thereby reducing the nobles’ financial power. To keep a close watch on the activities of the nobles, Alauddin established an efficient spy system, which further helped him maintain control over the nobility.
Q. What were the reasons and consequences of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq’s decision to shift the capital to Daulatabad?
Answer: Muhammad Bin Tughlaq decided to shift his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad for several reasons. First, Daulatabad was centrally located, making it easier to control the Deccan territories. Second, Delhi was suffering from a severe famine, making it less viable as a capital. Third, the constant threat of Mongol invasions posed a significant risk to Delhi’s security. However, the decision to move the capital backfired as it caused great hardship to the people of Delhi, who were forced to relocate. The logistical difficulties and the lack of adequate planning led to widespread dissatisfaction, and eventually, Muhammad Bin Tughlaq decided to move the capital back to Delhi, causing further disruption.
Q. What were the main reasons behind Muhammad Bin Tughlaq’s introduction of token currency, and why did this policy ultimately fail?
Answer: Muhammad Bin Tughlaq introduced the token currency in response to a shortage of silver, which was traditionally used to mint coins. His idea was to issue bronze tankas in place of silver tankas, with the bronze coins being assigned the same value as their silver counterparts. This policy was intended to alleviate the silver shortage and facilitate trade and commerce by increasing the money supply. However, the introduction of token currency was not accompanied by adequate safeguards against counterfeiting. As a result, counterfeit or fake coins began circulating widely, leading to chaos in trade and commerce. The widespread distrust in the new currency undermined its effectiveness, and economic instability ensued. Realizing the failure of his policy, Muhammad Bin Tughlaq eventually withdrew the token currency, but the damage had already been done, and the experiment left a lasting negative impact on the economy.
21. Explain the measures taken by Alauddin Khilji to strengthen the Sultanate’s revenue system, and how did these reforms impact the empire?
Answer: Alauddin Khilji implemented several key reforms to strengthen the Sultanate’s revenue system and maximize state income. One of his most significant measures was bringing all the land of the empire under his direct control, which allowed the state to collect revenue more efficiently. He introduced the practice of measuring the land and fixing the state share accordingly, which ensured that the state received its due share of agricultural produce. Alauddin increased the land revenue from one-third to one-half of the produce and insisted that it be paid in cash rather than in kind. To enforce these changes, he appointed special officers responsible for collecting land revenue, reducing the power of local elites who had previously controlled land and revenue collection. These reforms increased the state’s revenue, enabling Alauddin to maintain a large standing army and fund his military campaigns. However, the increased tax burden also led to discontent among the peasants, as it placed significant pressure on their livelihoods.
