Q50. Which Sultan is associated with an early state-controlled public distribution and grain-storage system?
[UPPCS Mains, 2010]
A. Alauddin Khalji
B. Balban
C. Ibrahim Lodi
D. Aibak
Answer: A. Alauddin Khalji
Explanation: Government granaries and regulated supplies complemented Alauddin’s price controls, ensuring stable food availability for Delhi and its large military population.
Q49. Who first levied Haqq-i-Sharb, an irrigation tax?
[UPPCS Mains, 2010]
A. Firoz Shah Tughlaq
B. Alauddin Khalji
C. Iltutmish
D. Balban
Answer: A. Firoz Shah Tughlaq
Explanation: Firoz expanded canal irrigation and levied Haqq-i-Sharb on cultivators benefiting from state irrigation facilities.
Q48. Which Sultan introduced or systematically organised the Iqta system in India?
[UPPCS Prelims, 2010]
A. Iltutmish
B. Balban
C. Alauddin Khalji
D. Bahlul Lodi
Answer: A. Iltutmish
Explanation: Iltutmish’s iqta arrangements provided an administrative and military framework for governing a geographically dispersed early Sultanate.
Q47. Who founded the city of Agra as an important Lodi political centre?
[UP UDA/LDA Mains, 2010]
A. Bahlul Lodi
B. Sikandar Lodi
C. Ibrahim Lodi
D. Daulat Khan Lodi
Answer: B. Sikandar Lodi
Explanation: Sikandar established Agra and shifted greater political attention toward the eastern Gangetic plain, improving control over newly conquered territories.
Q46. Which of these was NOT a ruler of the Slave dynasty?
[Uttarakhand Lower Subordinate, 2010]
A. Iltutmish
B. Balban
C. Razia
D. Ibrahim Lodi
Answer: D. Ibrahim Lodi
Explanation: Ibrahim belonged to the Afghan Lodi dynasty and ruled from 1517 to 1526, more than two centuries after the Mamluk period.
Q45. The policy of “Blood and Iron” was followed by:
[UPPCS Mains, 2009]
A. Balban
B. Alauddin Khalji
C. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D. Sikandar Lodi
Answer: A. Balban
Explanation: Balban used ruthless force to crush rebels and lawlessness, believing strong coercive authority was necessary to restore the prestige of the crown.
Q44. What was the elite political group established by Iltutmish called?
[UPPSC, 2009]
A. Turkan-i-Chahalgani
B. Din-i-Ilahi
C. Dal Khalsa
D. Mansabdari
Answer: A. Turkan-i-Chahalgani
Explanation: The Chahalgani consisted of forty influential Turkish slave nobles who initially strengthened Iltutmish but later became kingmakers in succession disputes.
Q43. Who established the agricultural department Diwan-i-Amir-Kohi?
[UPPCS Optional History, 2009]
A. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
B. Iltutmish
C. Balban
D. Firoz Shah Tughlaq
Answer: A. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Explanation: Muhammad attempted state-sponsored agricultural expansion through this department, though poor administration and adverse conditions limited its success.
Q42. Whom did Iltutmish appoint as an early governor or representative in Bihar?
[BPSC Prelims, 2008]
A. Malik Alauddin Jani
B. Malik Kafur
C. Bughra Khan
D. Khizr Khan
Answer: A. Malik Alauddin Jani
Explanation: Appointment of trusted governors was essential to Iltutmish’s effort to consolidate recently conquered eastern territories under central Sultanate authority.
Q41. Which statement about Balban is incorrect?
[Chhattisgarh PSC Prelims, 2008]
A. He strengthened monarchy
B. He followed Blood and Iron
C. He introduced the Iqta system
D. He curtailed Chahalgani power
Answer: C. He introduced the Iqta system
Explanation: The Iqta system had already been organised under Iltutmish. Balban’s distinctive policies centred on royal absolutism, military discipline and noble control.
