Q60. Who firmly established Delhi as the capital of the early Sultanate?
[UPPCS Mains, 2012]
A. Iltutmish
B. Qutbuddin Aibak
C. Balban
D. Jalaluddin Khalji
Answer: A. Iltutmish
Explanation: Iltutmish transformed Delhi into the durable political centre of Turkish power and consolidated territories inherited from Aibak.
Q59. Which Sultan was famous for exceptional intellectual learning but also controversial administrative experiments?
[UPPCS Mains, 2012]
A. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
B. Balban
C. Bahlul Lodi
D. Qutbuddin Aibak
Answer: A. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Explanation: Muhammad possessed wide intellectual interests but became historically famous for ambitious projects such as token currency, capital transfer and extraordinary military schemes.
Q58. Who ruled Devagiri when Alauddin Khalji first attacked it?
[BPSC Prelims, 2011]
A. Ramachandra Deva
B. Prataparudra
C. Ballala III
D. Harihara
Answer: A. Ramachandra Deva
Explanation: Alauddin raided Ramachandra’s Yadava kingdom before becoming Sultan and later compelled Devagiri to recognise Delhi’s supremacy.
Q57. Who was the first ruler of the Slave/Mamluk dynasty?
[BPSC Prelims, 2011]
A. Iltutmish
B. Qutbuddin Aibak
C. Balban
D. Razia
Answer: B. Qutbuddin Aibak
Explanation: Aibak established independent authority after Muhammad Ghori’s death in 1206 and thereby initiated the Delhi Sultanate’s Mamluk dynasty.
Q56. Which Sultan imposed the Ghari or house tax as part of his fiscal regulations?
[UPPCS Mains, 2011]
A. Alauddin Khalji
B. Balban
C. Bahlul Lodi
D. Firoz Tughlaq
Answer: A. Alauddin Khalji
Explanation: Alauddin broadened taxation while curbing powerful intermediaries, creating the fiscal base required for his strong central army and expansionist government.
Q55. Which Tughlaq Sultan established Dar-ul-Shafa and several welfare institutions?
[BPSC, 2011]
A. Firoz Shah Tughlaq
B. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
C. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
D. Nasiruddin Mahmud
Answer: A. Firoz Shah Tughlaq
Explanation: Firoz emphasised public welfare and conciliation, partly to restore stability after the widespread political unrest of Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign.
Q54. Which ruler succeeded Muhammad bin Tughlaq in 1351?
[PSC Examination, 2011]
A. Firoz Shah Tughlaq
B. Nasiruddin Mahmud
C. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
D. Sikandar Lodi
Answer: A. Firoz Shah Tughlaq
Explanation: After Muhammad died campaigning in Sindh, nobles selected his cousin Firoz, who adopted a more conciliatory administrative policy.
Q53. Which Sultan’s reign witnessed the greatest territorial extent of the Delhi Sultanate?
[PSC Examination, 2011]
A. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
B. Balban
C. Bahlul Lodi
D. Razia
Answer: A. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Explanation: Muhammad initially inherited an enormous empire stretching across much of the subcontinent, although rebellions soon caused extensive territorial fragmentation.
Q52. Who was the first woman Sultan of Delhi?
[UPPSC GIC, 2010]
A. Razia
B. Chand Bibi
C. Nur Jahan
D. Jahanara
Answer: A. Razia
Explanation: Razia ruled as sovereign rather than merely queen or regent, making her unique in the political history of the Delhi Sultanate.
Q51. Mongol forces under Genghis Khan first appeared near the Indus during whose reign?
[UPPSC GIC, 2010]
A. Iltutmish
B. Balban
C. Alauddin Khalji
D. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Answer: A. Iltutmish
Explanation: Iltutmish’s cautious diplomacy in 1221 prevented the fledgling Sultanate from becoming directly involved in Genghis Khan’s pursuit of Jalaluddin Mangburni.
