BPSC CCE Prelims
Delhi Sultanate Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Delhi Sultanate
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The term Zillillah was first used by
Detailed Explanation:
Balban (1266-1287) was the first ruler to adopt the title Zill-i-Ilahi (Shadow of God) to establish divine kingship and centralize power in the Delhi Sultanate.
This title elevated him above nobles and rivals, justifying his absolute authority and reducing the influence of the Chalisa (group of forty Turkish nobles).
Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi' was written by
Detailed Explanation:
Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi was written by Shams Siraj Afif, a court historian of the Tughlaq dynasty.
The text chronicles the reign of Sultan Firuz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388) and details his administration, public works, and religious policies.
Who among the following rulers, ruled for the maximum period?
Detailed Explanation:
Bahlol Lodi ruled for the maximum period of 38 years (1451–1489 CE) among the given rulers.
Muhammad bin Tughluq ruled for 26 years (1325–1351 CE), Alauddin Khilji for 20 years (1296–1316 CE), and Balban for 21 years (1266–1287 CE).
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During the Delhi Sultanate, the designation 'Muqaddam or Chaudhuri' was used for
Detailed Explanation:
Muqaddam or Chaudhuri were titles used during the Delhi Sultanate for the village headman who acted as a liaison between the state and the rural population.
They were responsible for maintaining order, collecting land revenue from villagers, and ensuring compliance with state directives at the village level.
The village accountant was separately designated as Patwari, while higher revenue officials included positions like Amil or Muqti.
Malik Kafur, also known as "Hazar Dinari," was bought by whom?
Detailed Explanation:
Malik Kafur, nicknamed "Hazar Dinari" (thousand dinars), was originally purchased by Nusrat Khan, a general of Alauddin Khilji.
Nusrat Khan later presented him to Sultan Alauddin Khilji, who recognized his military talent and made him a prominent general leading successful campaigns in the Deccan and southern India.
During the Delhi Sultanate, the designation 'Muqaddam or Chaudhari' was used for
Detailed Explanation:
Muqaddam or Chaudhari was the designation for the village headman during the Delhi Sultanate.
The village headman was responsible for local administration, maintaining law and order in the village, and acted as an intermediary between villagers and revenue officials. The village accountant was called Patwari or Qanungo, while revenue officials held titles like Amil, Muqta, or Khwaja.
The Qutub Minar was completed by
Detailed Explanation:
Qutub Minar was started by Qutb-ud-din Aibak in 1199 CE but he completed only the basement. Iltutmish (his successor) added three more storeys and completed the major structure. Later, Firoz Shah Tughlaq repaired and added the fifth storey after lightning damage in 1369 CE.
Since more than one ruler (Iltutmish and Firoz Shah Tughlaq, along with Aibak's initial work) contributed to its completion, no single option is fully correct.
Therefore, multiple rulers completed the Qutub Minar, making Option 5 the correct answer.
The Muslim ruler whose empire was regarded as a part of Dar-ul-Islam was
Detailed Explanation:
Iltutmish (1211–1236) was the first Delhi Sultan to receive formal recognition from the Abbasid Caliph of Baghdad in 1229, making his empire officially part of Dar-ul-Islam (Abode of Islam).
This Caliphal manshur (patent) legitimized his rule in the Islamic world and established the Delhi Sultanate as a recognized Islamic state. Razia, Nasir-ud-Din, and Balban did not receive such explicit Caliphal recognition.
Therefore, Iltutmish's empire was regarded as part of Dar-ul-Islam, making Option 2 the correct answer.
Who among the following opposed the power of the Khalifa?
Detailed Explanation:
Multiple Delhi Sultans challenged the Khalifa's political authority while acknowledging his symbolic religious status. Alauddin Khalji declared his power derived from military strength, not the Caliph's sanction. Muhammad-bin-Tughluq ruled independently despite nominal allegiance. Balban emphasized his own sovereignty. Iltutmish accepted the Caliph's investiture but exercised complete temporal control.
Each sultan maintained the fiction of religious acknowledgment to legitimize rule among Muslim nobility, yet none allowed the Caliph any real interference in governance or policy.
Therefore, more than one sultan opposed the Khalifa's political power, making Option 5 the correct answer.
Tughril Khan raised a standard of revolt during whose reign?
Detailed Explanation:
Tughril Khan, governor of Bengal, revolted against Sultan Balban around 1279 CE. Balban (r. 1266–1286 CE) suppressed the rebellion decisively, had Tughril beheaded, and appointed his son Bughra Khan as the new governor.
This episode exemplifies Balban's policy of blood and iron to consolidate royal authority and break provincial autonomy during the Delhi Sultanate.
Therefore, Tughril Khan revolted during Balban's reign, making Option 4 the correct answer.