The Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526 CE) established centralized Turko-Afghan Islamic governance across the northern and peninsular Indian subcontinent across five successive dynasties. The Mamluk or Slave Dynasty (1206–1290), founded by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, was institutionalized by Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, who introduced the silver Tanka and copper Jital, organized the Turkan-i-Chahalgani (Corps of Forty), and formalized the Iqta administrative revenue system. The Khalji Dynasty (1290–1320), under Alauddin Khalji, instituted stringent market control regulations overseen by the Shahna-i-Mandi, initiated military branding (Dagh and Chehra), and launched southward expansion led by Malik Kafur. The Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414) witnessed Muhammad bin Tughlaq's controversial administrative experiments, including the 1327 capital transfer to Daulatabad and token brass/copper currency issues, followed by Firoz Shah Tughlaq's extensive canal irrigation networks and creation of the Diwan-i-Khairat. Following the devastation of Delhi by Timur in 1398, the Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451) and the Afghan Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526) ruled; Sikandar Lodi founded Agra in 1504 and introduced the Gaz-i-Sikandari measurement unit. The Sultanate era concluded when Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat on 21 April 1526, establishing Mughal hegemony.
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The Delhi Sultanate comprised five successive dynasties: Mamluk (1206–1290), Khalji (1290–1320), Tughlaq (1320–1414), Sayyid (1414–1451), and Lodi (1451–1526).
Iltutmish established the Turkan-i-Chahalgani, standard silver Tanka and copper Jital coinage, and consolidated the Iqta revenue-assignment system.
Alauddin Khalji enacted strict market regulations under Shahna-i-Mandi, levied Charai and Ghari taxes, and instituted military Dagh and Chehra reforms.
Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced token currency and transferred the capital to Daulatabad; Firoz Shah Tughlaq developed major irrigation canals and Diwan-i-Khairat.
The Sultanate terminated on 21 April 1526 following the defeat of Ibrahim Lodi by Babur at the First Battle of Panipat.
Showing 25 Curated Questions109 Total in Bank
1ID: GK-HIST-00994
mediumMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
Khizr Khan, who founded the Sayyid Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate in 1414 CE following the turmoil of Timur's invasion, ruled with which modest title rather than adopting the royal title of Sultan?
Verified Explanation
Following Timur's sack of Delhi in 1398, Timur appointed Khizr Khan as governor of Multan and Lahore. In 1414, Khizr Khan captured Delhi and founded the Sayyid dynasty, but out of deference to Timur, he never assumed royal insignia or the title of Sultan, styling himself simply as 'Rayat-i-Ala' (Sublime Banner/Vassal) and inserting the name of Timur's son Shah Rukh on his coins and in the Friday Khutba.
2ID: GK-HIST-00989
easyMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
Alongside the silver Tanka weighing 175 grains, which copper coin standard was introduced by Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish as regular Delhi Sultanate currency?
Verified Explanation
Sultan Iltutmish (reigned 1211–1236 CE) established the standard bimetallic currency system of the Delhi Sultanate by minting pure Arabic-inscribed silver 'Tankas' (175 grains) and copper 'Jitals' (approx. 50 grains). The silver Tanka and copper Jital formed the base monetary medium of commercial transactions across North India for over two centuries.
3ID: GK-HIST-00013
easyMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
Who was the only female sovereign ruler of the Delhi Sultanate?
Verified Explanation
Razia Sultana, daughter of Sultan Iltutmish, reigned over Delhi from 1236 to 1240 CE.
4ID: GK-HIST-00691
mediumMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
In the administrative and fiscal framework of the Delhi Sultanate, what did the term 'Iqta' specifically denote?
Verified Explanation
The Iqta system, institutionalized in India by Iltutmish, was a revenue assignment given to nobles (Muqtis or Iqtadars). They collected taxes from the territory to maintain troops, defray administrative expenses, and remit surplus revenue (fawazil) to the central treasury.
5ID: GK-HIST-00695
hardMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
In the administrative apparatus of the Delhi Sultanate, which specialized ministry was established and reorganized by Ghiyasuddin Balban to handle military recruitment, muster rolls, and equipment?
Verified Explanation
Balban established the military department Diwan-i-Arz under the Ariz-i-Mamalik to separate military administration from the Wazir's financial control and maintain a standing, battle-ready cavalry. Diwan-i-Insha dealt with state correspondence, and Diwan-i-Mustakhraj with revenue arrears (under Alauddin Khalji).
6ID: GK-HIST-00697
mediumMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
In the local and pargana-level administration of the Delhi Sultanate, what was the primary executive responsibility of the official designated as 'Amil'?
Verified Explanation
At the pargana (sub-district) level, the Amil was the primary revenue collector who assessed agricultural yields and ensured tax realization in coordination with the local village headmen (Muqaddams) and accountants (Patwaris).
7ID: GK-HIST-00895
mediumMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
Which trusted military commander (Naib) of Alauddin Khalji spearheaded the Delhi Sultanate's campaigns into the Deccan, subjugating the Yadavas of Devagiri, Kakatiyas of Warangal, and Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra?
Verified Explanation
Malik Kafur (known as Hazar-Dinari) conducted campaigns between 1308 and 1311 CE. Rather than directly annexing the southern kingdoms, he secured regular tribute agreements, massive war indemnities, and elephant cavalry from southern rulers including Prataparudra II and Veera Ballala III.
8ID: GK-HIST-00896
mediumMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish organized an influential aristocratic cabal of forty loyal Turkish slave officers to consolidate the administrative stability of the Delhi Sultanate, known historically as what?
Verified Explanation
Iltutmish created the Turkan-i-Chahalgani (Corps of Forty) from his trustworthy Turkish military slaves (Bandagan). Following his demise, this group dominated court politics, overthrowing successive sultans until Balban eliminated them to establish absolute monarchy.
9ID: GK-HIST-00898
hardMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
In the administrative structure of the Delhi Sultanate, which department was entrusted with military recruitment, periodic muster parades, equipment inspection, and troop salaries?
Verified Explanation
The Diwan-i-Arz was the military ministry headed by the Ariz-i-Mumalik. Originally established as a distinct department by Balban, it was extensively reorganized by Alauddin Khalji, who instituted the branding of warhorses (Dagh) and descriptive rolls of soldiers (Chehra).
10ID: GK-HIST-01000
easyMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
To provide famine relief during the catastrophic Doab drought of 1335–1341, Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq moved his court and thousands of citizens from Delhi to a temporary wooden camp city on the Ganges named what?
Verified Explanation
During the severe famine that struck Delhi and the Ganga-Yamuna Doab around 1335 CE, Muhammad bin Tughlaq established a massive temporary residential camp called 'Swargadwari' (Gate to Heaven) near modern Kampil on the banks of the Ganges in Farrukhabad district. The Sultan lived there for over two years, organizing grain supplies from Awadh and distributing agricultural loans (Sondhar).
11ID: GK-HIST-00996
hardMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
What specific technical term was applied to the land measurement system introduced by Sultan Alauddin Khalji, where land was surveyed using the standard unit 'Biswa' and revenue assessed strictly on measured yields?
Verified Explanation
Alauddin Khalji was the first Sultan of Delhi to insist on land measurement ('Masahat') using the standard yardstick ('Biswa') as the basis for assessing land revenue (Kharaj). He fixed the state demand at 50% of the gross produce and eliminated customary intermediaries (Khuts, Muqaddams, Chaudhuris) to extract revenue directly from cultivators.
12ID: GK-HIST-00025
mediumMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
Who founded the Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty in Delhi in 1206 CE?
Verified Explanation
Qutb-ud-din Aibak established the Delhi Sultanate and started constructing the Qutb Minar.
13ID: GK-HIST-00793
mediumMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
In the institutional functioning of the Sultanate Iqta system, what term denoted the surplus revenue that an Iqtadar/Muqti was mandated to transmit to the central imperial treasury?
Verified Explanation
Under the Delhi Sultanate Iqta mechanism, a Muqti or Wali was assigned revenue collection rights over a designated territory to maintain a prescribed military contingent. After deducting authorized administrative expenses and personal salary, the governor was legally obligated to transmit the surplus balance, known as Fawazil, to the central imperial treasury.
14ID: GK-HIST-00992
mediumMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
Which Delhi Sultan constructed the extensive network of irrigation canals in northern India, including a 150-mile canal drawing water from the Yamuna to his newly founded city of Hissar Firoza?
Verified Explanation
Firoz Shah Tughlaq (reigned 1351–1388 CE) was the greatest hydraulic builder of the Delhi Sultanate. He constructed five major irrigation canals, most notably the Rajbaha and Ulughkhani canals drawing water from the Yamuna and Sutlej rivers to irrigate arid Haryana tracts around Hissar Firoza and Fatehabad. In return, he levied a 10% water tax known as 'Haqq-i-Sharb'.
15ID: GK-HIST-00601
easyMedieval India & Sultanates
Who was the only female sovereign to rule over the Delhi Sultanate, ascending the throne in 1236 CE?
Verified Explanation
Razia Sultana, the daughter of Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, governed the Delhi Sultanate from 1236 to 1240 CE, distinguished for her administrative capability and battlefield leadership.
16ID: GK-HIST-00991
mediumMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
Which official intelligence reporting officers were established by Sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban across every province and military command to report directly on nobles to the throne?
Verified Explanation
To consolidate royal absolutism and prevent conspiracies among Turkish nobles (the Chahalgani), Balban established a centralized spy network headed by the 'Barid-i-Mamalik'. Intelligent and incorruptible news-writers ('Barids') were placed in every province, garrison, and court, reporting secretly on the conduct of provincial governors and army officers directly to the Sultan.
17ID: GK-HIST-00699
easyMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
Who authored the Persian historical chronicle 'Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi', providing detailed eyewitness accounts of the reigns of Ghiyasuddin Balban, Alauddin Khalji, and Muhammad bin Tughlaq?
Verified Explanation
Ziauddin Barani completed his major historical work 'Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi' in 1357 CE, documenting Delhi Sultanate governance from Balban to the early reign of Firoz Shah Tughlaq. Minhaj-i-Siraj authored Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, and Amir Khusrau wrote Tughlaq Nama.
18ID: GK-HIST-00690
easyMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
Which Delhi Sultan established the circular fortified city of Siri as his capital to counter Mongol invasions and built the famous reservoir Hauz-i-Alai (Hauz Khas)?
Verified Explanation
Alauddin Khalji founded the second city of Delhi at Siri around 1303 CE with strong defensive walls against Mongol incursions and excavated Hauz-i-Alai (later known as Hauz Khas) to supply water to his army and subjects.
19ID: GK-HIST-00693
easyMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
Which Moroccan globetrotter arrived in India in 1333 CE, authored the travelogue 'Rihla', and served as the chief Qazi of Delhi under Muhammad bin Tughlaq?
Verified Explanation
Ibn Battuta reached Delhi in 1333 during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, who appointed him Qazi of Delhi for over six years. His travel memoirs in 'Rihla' offer firsthand descriptions of the political, postal, and socio-economic life of 14th-century India.
20ID: GK-HIST-00890
easyMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
In 1327 CE, which Delhi Sultan ordered the strategic transfer of the imperial capital and administrative elites from Delhi to Devagiri in the Deccan, renaming it Daulatabad?
Verified Explanation
Muhammad bin Tughlaq sought to control both North India and the wealthy Deccan plateau from a central geographic location, prompting his transfer of the capital to Daulatabad (Maharashtra). However, due to severe logistical strain and northwestern frontier vulnerabilities, he returned to Delhi a few years later.
21ID: GK-HIST-00892
easyMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
Which Moroccan traveler arrived in India during the reign of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq in 1333 CE, served as the chief Qadi of Delhi, and penned the travelogue 'Rihla'?
Verified Explanation
Ibn Battuta traveled from Tangier across North Africa and the Middle East to India. Impressed by his scholarship, Muhammad bin Tughlaq appointed him Qadi of Delhi for approximately eight years before dispatching him on a diplomatic embassy to Yuan-dynasty China.
22ID: GK-HIST-00900
hardMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq transported two ancient Ashokan stone pillars to his capital in Delhi using specially constructed 42-wheel carts from Topra (Haryana) and which other site in Uttar Pradesh?
Verified Explanation
Firuz Shah Tughlaq was fascinated by the polished monolithic pillars of Ashoka. He arranged for one pillar from Topra Kalan in Yamunanagar district (Haryana) to be re-erected atop his citadel at Kotla Firuz Shah, and a second pillar from Meerut (Uttar Pradesh) to be installed near his hunting lodge on the Delhi Ridge.
23ID: GK-HIST-00482
easyMedieval India & Sultanates
Who was the only woman ruler to sit on the throne of the Delhi Sultanate?
Verified Explanation
Razia Sultana, daughter of Sultan Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1236 to 1240 CE.
24ID: GK-HIST-00026
mediumMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
Which Delhi Sultan established strict market price regulations and market inspectors (Shahna-i-Mandi)?
Verified Explanation
Alauddin Khalji implemented market control reforms to maintain a large standing army at low cost.
25ID: GK-HIST-00696
easyMedieval India & Delhi Sultanate
Which Sultan of Delhi issued brass and copper token coins in 1329–1330 CE to be accepted at par with gold and silver tankas, leading to extensive private minting?
Verified Explanation
Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced token currency made of bronze/copper following the examples of Kublai Khan in China and Gai Khatu in Persia. Due to the failure of state mint monopoly controls, widespread counterfeiting forced the Sultan to redeem all token coins with genuine silver and gold tankas.
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