1
Which ruler of the Slave Dynasty is credited with establishing the 'Chahalgani' (Corps of Forty)?
🏛️ Delhi Sultanate
Delhi Sultanate
By Priya Sharma · Static GK Expert
50 Questions Indian History
A comprehensive collection of 20 high-quality multiple-choice questions covering the political history, administration, and cultural legacy of the Delhi Sultanate.
2
Which Sultan of Delhi moved the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad to secure his southern territories?
3
The 'Iqta' system, which involved assigning land revenue to officers in lieu of salary, was introduced in India by whom?
4
Who was the only woman ruler in the history of the Delhi Sultanate?
5
Alauddin Khalji introduced the 'Market Control Policy' primarily for what purpose?
6
The famous poet Amir Khusrau was a court poet of which of the following Sultans?
7
Which Sultan is famously known for constructing the largest network of canals in the Delhi Sultanate?
8
The Lodi Dynasty was the only dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate that belonged to which origin?
9
Which Sultan adopted the Persian court custom of 'Sijda' (prostration) and 'Paibos' (kissing the feet)?
10
The battle of Tarain (1192 AD) was fought between Muhammad Ghori and whom?
11
Who among the following was the founder of the Sayyid Dynasty?
12
Which Sultan established the 'Diwan-i-Mustakhraj' (a department for the recovery of arrears)?
13
Which Sultan's reign saw the invasion of the Mongol leader Tarmashirin?
14
Ibn Battuta, the famous Moroccan traveler, visited India during the reign of whom?
15
Which Sultan founded the city of Agra in 1504?
16
What was the official language of the Delhi Sultanate?
17
Which ruler of the Slave Dynasty is known as the 'Real Founder' of the Delhi Sultanate?
18
The tomb of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq is located in which fort city?
19
Who was the last Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate?
20
The 'Diwan-i-Khairat' was a department for what purpose established by Firoz Shah Tughlaq?
21
Which Sultan of the Khalji Dynasty adopted the title 'Sikandar-i-Sani' (the Second Alexander)?
22
The 'Diwan-i-Arz', a military department, was established by which Sultan to strengthen the army?
23
Which Tughlaq ruler is credited with shifting the capital back from Daulatabad to Delhi?
24
Who was the founder of the Khalji Dynasty in 1290 AD?
25
The historical work 'Tabaqat-i-Nasiri' was written by whom?
26
Which Sultan imposed the 'Jizya' tax on Brahmins for the first time in the Delhi Sultanate?
27
Which battle marked the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the rise of the Mughal Empire?
28
The 'Diwan-i-Kohi', a department dedicated to agriculture, was created by which Sultan?
29
Who was the ruler of Delhi during the invasion of Timur in 1398 AD?
30
The 'Alai Darwaza' at the Qutub Minar complex was built by whom?
31
Which dynasty ruled the Delhi Sultanate for the shortest duration?
32
What title did the Sultans of Delhi generally adopt to show allegiance to the Abbasid Caliphate?
33
Which Sultan shifted his residence to a new city called 'Tughlaqabad'?
34
Who founded the Lodi Dynasty after ending the Sayyid rule?
35
Which Sultan is known as the 'Akbar of the Sultanate period' due to his public welfare works?
36
The 'Hauz-i-Khas' was a large water reservoir constructed by which Sultan?
37
Which Sultan introduced the 'Dagh' (branding of horses) and 'Chehra' (descriptive roll of soldiers) system?
38
Qutb-ud-din Aibak was a slave and general of which ruler?
39
The 'Jami Masjid' in Badaun was primarily completed by which Sultan?
40
Who among the following was the last ruler of the Sayyid Dynasty?
41
Which Sultan of the Slave Dynasty introduced the silver 'Tanka' and copper 'Jital' as the standard currency?
42
The 'Diwan-i-Insha' department in the Delhi Sultanate was primarily responsible for which function?
43
Which ruler of the Khalji dynasty ascended the throne after murdering his uncle, Jalal-ud-din Khalji?
44
Who was the first Sultan to maintain a permanent standing army paid directly by the state treasury?
45
The historical text 'Futuh-us-Salatin', which records the history of the Sultans of Delhi, was written by whom?
46
Which Tughlaq ruler faced the maximum number of Mongol invasions during his reign?
47
The 'Muqaddams', 'Khuts', and 'Chaudharis' mentioned in the Sultanate period records were essentially what?
48
Which Sultan is known for his policy of 'Zawabit' (state laws) that functioned alongside the Sharia?
49
The battle of Khanwa (1527) was fought between Babur and Rana Sanga, but who was the last Lodi ruler defeated by Babur in 1526?
50
Which Sultan established 'Dar-ul-Shafa' (a charitable hospital) in Delhi?
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Important Notes — Delhi Sultanate
Overview of the Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)
The Delhi Sultanate marks a significant era in Indian history, spanning over 320 years during which five successive dynasties ruled from Delhi. This period introduced Islamic administrative practices, Persianate culture, and architectural innovations to the Indian subcontinent.
The Five Dynasties
- Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty (1206–1290): Founded by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, a lieutenant of Muhammad Ghori. Key figures include Iltutmish (the real consolidator) and Razia Sultan (the first and only female Muslim ruler of Delhi).
- Khilji Dynasty (1290–1320): Founded by Jalal-ud-din Khilji. Ala-ud-din Khilji is the most prominent ruler, known for his market reforms, price control system, and military expansions into South India.
- Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414): Founded by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq. Muhammad bin Tughlaq is infamous for his eccentric experiments (shifting capital to Daulatabad, token currency), while Firoz Shah Tughlaq is remembered for public works and irrigation canals.
- Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451): Founded by Khizr Khan, this was a period of political instability and territorial decline.
- Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526): The only Afghan dynasty. Founded by Bahlul Lodi. Ibrahim Lodi was the final Sultan, defeated by Babur at the First Battle of Panipat (1526), which paved the way for the Mughal Empire.
Administrative and Socio-Cultural Impact
Governance and Economy
- The Sultanate administration was highly centralized. The Wazir headed the finance department, while the Ariz-i-Mumalik was in charge of the military.
- Iqta System: A land grant system where military commanders (Iqtadars) were assigned land revenues in lieu of salary. This became the backbone of the administrative and military machinery.
- Economy: The introduction of the Tanka (silver coin) and Jital (copper coin) by Iltutmish standardized the currency system.
Architecture and Literature
- Indo-Islamic Style: The fusion of Indian (trabeate) and Islamic (arcuated) styles gave birth to unique structures.
- Key Monuments: Qutub Minar (started by Aibak, completed by Iltutmish), Alai Darwaza (built by Ala-ud-din Khilji), and the Tughlaqabad Fort.
- Literature: Persian was the official language. Amir Khusrau, known as the "Parrot of India" (*Tuti-e-Hind*), flourished during this era, contributing significantly to both Persian poetry and Indian music (Qawwali). Ziauddin Barani remains a crucial historian of this period for his work *Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi*.
Important Exam Points for UPSC/SSC
- Battle of Tarain (1192): Set the stage for Turkish rule in India.
- Market Reforms: Ala-ud-din Khilji’s state-controlled market regulation remains a favorite topic for competitive exams.
- Travelers: The accounts of Ibn Battuta (a Moroccan traveler during Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign) provide deep insights into the Sultanate’s social fabric.
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About the Author
PS
Priya Sharma Static GK Expert
Indian History · Geography · Polity & Economy Specialist
With 8+ years of teaching static GK for competitive exams, Priya has helped thousands of students master the foundational subjects that appear year after year in UPSC, SSC, and Railway exams. She focuses on making history, geography, and polity approachable through well-structured MCQs and memorable explanations.
