2026
Q50. Who among the following introduced the system of branding of horses (Dagh) and maintaining descriptive rolls of soldiers (Chehra)?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-II – 10 July 2026, Shift 1]
(a) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
(b) Alauddin Khalji
(c) Iltutmish
(d) Balban
Answer: (b) Alauddin Khalji
Explanation: Alauddin introduced Dagh for branding cavalry horses and Chehra for recording soldiers’ physical descriptions. These measures checked fraudulent musters and strengthened direct central control over his standing army.
Q49. Which dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate is known for introducing the Iqta system in India?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-II – 10 July 2026, Shift 1]
(a) Tughlaq dynasty
(b) Mamluk dynasty
(c) Sayyid dynasty
(d) Khalji dynasty
Answer: (b) Mamluk dynasty
Explanation: Iltutmish of the Mamluk or Slave dynasty systematized the Iqta arrangement. Revenue-yielding territories were assigned to officials who maintained troops and administered their assigned areas.
Q48. Which measure was introduced by Muhammad bin Tughlaq to address the shortage of silver?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I – 15 June 2026, Shift 2]
(a) Garrison towns
(b) Land revenue reforms
(c) Prohibition of wine
(d) Token currency
Answer: (d) Token currency
Explanation: Muhammad bin Tughlaq issued copper and brass token coins with a value comparable to silver tanka. Counterfeiting became widespread, forcing the Sultan eventually to withdraw the experiment.
Q47. Which Delhi Sultan shifted the capital from Delhi to Deogir, renamed Daulatabad?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I – 7 May 2026, Shift 3]
(a) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
(b) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
(c) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
(d) Alauddin Khalji
Answer: (a) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Explanation: Muhammad bin Tughlaq transferred the capital toward centrally located Daulatabad, partly to improve control over the Deccan. The difficult compulsory migration contributed to the scheme’s reversal.
Q46. What was the Diwan-i-Riyasat under Alauddin Khalji?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I – 22 March 2026, Shift 1]
(a) Department of royal correspondence
(b) Department controlling markets and prices
(c) Department of agriculture
(d) Department of religious endowments
Answer: (b) Department controlling markets and prices
Explanation: Diwan-i-Riyasat supervised Alauddin’s regulated markets, merchant registration and fixed-price system. It formed the administrative core of his policy for supplying commodities cheaply to Delhi and the army.
Q45. Which administrative innovation is particularly associated with Alauddin Khalji’s reign?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I – 16 March 2026, Shift 1]
(a) Creation of Mansabdari system
(b) Regulation of market prices and rationing
(c) Introduction of the Iqta system
(d) Creation of the Mughal revenue system
Answer: (b) Regulation of market prices and rationing
Explanation: Alauddin established elaborate price controls, market supervision and supply arrangements. Cheap commodities enabled him to maintain a huge cash-paid standing army without enormously increasing military salaries.
Q44. Who were among the writers of Tawarikh during the Delhi Sultanate period?
I. Administrators
II. Poets and courtiers
[SSC MTS 2025 Official Paper – Held 11 February 2026, Shift 3]
(a) Only I
(b) Only II
(c) Both I and II
(d) Neither I nor II
Answer: (c) Both I and II
Explanation: Persian chronicles called Tawarikh were generally composed by educated urban elites including secretaries, administrators, poets and courtiers, providing important information on Sultanate government, society and political ideology.
Q43. What was the primary objective of Alauddin Khalji’s Market Control regulations?
[SSC CGL 2025 Tier-II – Held 19 January 2026]
(a) Promote unrestricted foreign trade
(b) Replace religious taxation
(c) Keep essential commodity prices low to maintain soldiers on fixed salaries
(d) Encourage textile exports
Answer: (c) Keep essential commodity prices low to maintain soldiers on fixed salaries
Explanation: Alauddin needed a large permanent army against Mongol attacks and for expansion. Controlled prices kept soldiers’ living expenses low, permitting the treasury to maintain them on moderate cash salaries.
Q42. Muhammad bin Tughlaq created the department called Diwan-i-Kohi mainly for:
[Delhi Police Constable Executive – 3 January 2026, Shift 3]
(a) Tax collection
(b) Agriculture
(c) Justice
(d) Foreign affairs
Answer: (b) Agriculture
Explanation: Diwan-i-Amir-Kohi promoted cultivation by developing uncultivated land and providing agricultural assistance and loans. It reflected Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s attempts to strengthen the agrarian revenue base.
Q41. Consider the following statements regarding Balban:
- A separate Diwan-i-Arz was established during his reign.
- He introduced full cash salaries for soldiers.**
[UPPCS RO/ARO Prelims – 2026]
(a) Neither 1 nor 2
(b) 1 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) 2 only
Answer: (b) 1 only
Explanation: Balban reorganized and separated the military department, Diwan-i-Arz. Systematic direct cash payment, along with Dagh and Chehra reforms, is more specifically associated with Alauddin Khalji.