Q190. Which combination best explains Iltutmish’s consolidation of the Delhi Sultanate?
[UP PGT History, 2026]
A. Naval expansion and overseas conquest
B. Caliphal legitimacy, iqta organisation and defeat of internal rivals
C. Abolition of provincial administration
D. Deccan annexation and maritime expansion
Answer: B. Caliphal legitimacy, iqta organisation and defeat of internal rivals
Explanation: Iltutmish defeated rival claimants, organised iqtas, defended the Sultanate from external dangers and obtained Abbasid recognition, giving the new monarchy political legitimacy.
Q189. Why is Iltutmish regarded as a major consolidator of the early Delhi Sultanate?
[UP PGT History, 2026]
A. He abolished the Sultanate
B. He converted a fragile conquest-state into an organised monarchy
C. He conquered the entire Deccan
D. He surrendered sovereignty to the Caliph
Answer: B. He converted a fragile conquest-state into an organised monarchy
Explanation: Iltutmish eliminated competing Turkish chiefs, institutionalised administration and obtained external recognition, transforming Aibak’s vulnerable territories into a durable sovereign state centred at Delhi.
Q188. What did the so-called “Khalji Revolution” signify politically?
[UP PGT History, 2026]
A. Restoration of Rajput rule
B. Strengthening the monopoly of old Turkish nobles
C. Weakening Turkish aristocratic monopoly and broadening the ruling elite
D. Abolition of monarchy
Answer: C. Weakening Turkish aristocratic monopoly and broadening the ruling elite
Explanation: Jalaluddin Khalji’s accession in 1290 ended the exclusive political dominance of the older Turkish slave aristocracy and altered the social composition of Sultanate power.
Q187. Alauddin Khalji’s agrarian reforms primarily aimed at which political objective?
[UP PGT History, 2026]
A. Strengthening autonomous village chiefs
B. Reducing state revenue
C. Increasing central revenue while curbing rural intermediaries
D. Abolishing land assessment
Answer: C. Increasing central revenue while curbing rural intermediaries
Explanation: Direct assessment and heavy revenue demand weakened khuts, muqaddams and chaudharis while supplying the resources needed by Alauddin’s centralised administration and standing army.
Q186. Which statement best describes Alauddin Khalji’s Deccan policy?
[UP PGT History, 2026]
A. Immediate direct annexation of every southern kingdom
B. Military expeditions followed largely by tributary arrangements
C. Complete withdrawal from the Deccan
D. Alliance against the Mongols only
Answer: B. Military expeditions followed largely by tributary arrangements
Explanation: Alauddin generally sought tribute, submission and wealth from southern rulers rather than permanently administering every conquered kingdom directly from Delhi.
Q185. How is Alauddin Khalji’s imperial strategy best characterised?
[UP PGT History, 2026]
A. Northern consolidation combined with tributary penetration into the south
B. Only maritime expansion
C. Complete avoidance of the Deccan
D. Exclusive concentration on Bengal
Answer: A. Northern consolidation combined with tributary penetration into the south
Explanation: Alauddin annexed important northern territories while his commanders compelled several Deccan powers to pay tribute, creating extensive political supremacy without universal direct annexation.
Q184. What was the principal strategic purpose of Alauddin Khalji’s price-control policy?
[UP PGT History, 2026]
A. Enrich merchants
B. Maintain a large army at comparatively low salaries
C. Encourage luxury imports
D. End military expenditure
Answer: B. Maintain a large army at comparatively low salaries
Explanation: Strict price regulation made essential commodities affordable to soldiers, enabling Alauddin to maintain a very large permanent army without continuously raising its cash salaries.
Q183. Razia Sultan’s reign represented a challenge to which established political forces?
[UP PGT History, 2026]
A. Gender conventions and Turkish noble dominance
B. Mughal mansabdars
C. Maratha sardars
D. Vijayanagara governors
Answer: A. Gender conventions and Turkish noble dominance
Explanation: Razia asserted personal sovereign authority and promoted officials beyond the entrenched Turkish aristocracy, challenging both contemporary gender expectations and the political influence of leading nobles.
Q182. What formed the principal political basis of Razia Sultan’s claim to sovereignty?
[UP PGT History, 2026]
A. Primogeniture alone
B. Merit and demonstrated administrative competence
C. Mongol backing
D. Afghan tribal custom
Answer: B. Merit and demonstrated administrative competence
Explanation: Iltutmish considered Razia more capable than his sons. Her succession therefore represented a claim based strongly on political ability rather than conventional male lineage preference.
Q181. Balban’s theory of kingship was associated with which administrative tendency?
[UP PGT History, 2026]
A. Decentralisation
B. Strong royal authority and tighter control over nobles and iqtas
C. Abolition of monarchy
D. Complete provincial independence
Answer: B. Strong royal authority and tighter control over nobles and iqtas
Explanation: Balban elevated the Sultan’s prestige and disciplined the aristocracy, strengthening central authority against powerful nobles whose independence threatened the stability of the monarchy.
