Q150. The policy of “Blood and Iron” is most closely associated with:
[RPF SI, 2024]
A. Balban
B. Iltutmish
C. Sikandar Lodi
D. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Answer: A. Balban
Explanation: Balban used severe military repression against rebels, robbers and turbulent chiefs while reinforcing monarchical authority and internal order.
Q149. After suppressing Tughril Khan’s Bengal revolt, whom did Balban place in charge of Bengal?
[SSC MTS, 2024]
A. Bughra Khan
B. Muhammad Khan
C. Malik Kafur
D. Khizr Khan
Answer: A. Bughra Khan
Explanation: Balban personally suppressed Tughril’s rebellion and appointed his son Bughra Khan in Bengal, seeking dependable dynastic control over the distant province.
Q148. Which Sultan destroyed the political power of the Forty or Chahalgani?
[SSC MTS, 2024]
A. Iltutmish
B. Balban
C. Alauddin Khalji
D. Bahlul Lodi
Answer: B. Balban
Explanation: Although once a member of the Forty himself, Balban systematically weakened its powerful nobles after becoming Sultan to establish an authoritarian monarchy.
Q147. Which Delhi Sultan is particularly associated with consolidation rather than extensive fresh conquest?
[SSC CGL, 2024]
A. Balban
B. Alauddin Khalji
C. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D. Sikandar Lodi
Answer: A. Balban
Explanation: Balban concentrated on restoring internal order, defending the north-western frontier and suppressing rebellious elements instead of pursuing wide-ranging territorial expansion.
Q146. Which military department was reorganised and strengthened by Balban?
[SSC CGL, 2024]
A. Diwan-i-Insha
B. Diwan-i-Arz
C. Diwan-i-Risalat
D. Diwan-i-Khairat
Answer: B. Diwan-i-Arz
Explanation: Diwan-i-Arz supervised military organisation. Balban sought a disciplined fighting force independent of unreliable nobles to defend and centralise the Sultanate.
Q145. Who adopted the exalted monarchical concept Zil-i-Ilahi?
[SSC CHSL, 2024]
A. Balban
B. Jalaluddin Khalji
C. Bahlul Lodi
D. Qutbuddin Aibak
Answer: A. Balban
Explanation: Balban presented the Sultan as possessing divinely sanctioned dignity, strengthening ceremonial kingship and reducing the aristocracy’s claim to equality with the monarch.
Q144. Sijda and Paibos in Balban’s court primarily expressed:
[SSC CHSL, 2024]
A. Provincial autonomy
B. Persian-style royal superiority
C. Afghan tribal equality
D. Village self-government
Answer: B. Persian-style royal superiority
Explanation: Prostration and ceremonial kissing of the ruler’s feet elevated the Sultan above his nobles and reinforced Balban’s concept of an awe-inspiring monarchy.
Q143. Which Sultan is especially associated with presenting himself as the “Shadow of God” to strengthen royal authority?
[RPSC Assistant Professor History, 2024]
A. Balban
B. Aibak
C. Jalaluddin Khalji
D. Bahlul Lodi
Answer: A. Balban
Explanation: Balban borrowed Persian imperial ideology to exalt the throne and politically subordinate the powerful Turkish nobles whose factionalism had weakened earlier rulers.
Q142. Who was the last Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate?
[WBCS Mains, 2024]
A. Sikandar Lodi
B. Ibrahim Lodi
C. Bahlul Lodi
D. Nasiruddin Mahmud
Answer: B. Ibrahim Lodi
Explanation: Ibrahim Lodi was defeated and killed by Babur at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526, bringing the Delhi Sultanate to an end.
Q141. What was Iltutmish’s relationship to Qutbuddin Aibak?
[MH SET History, 2024]
A. Brother
B. Son
C. Son-in-law
D. Nephew
Answer: C. Son-in-law
Explanation: Iltutmish was both a former slave and son-in-law of Aibak. Delhi’s nobles later selected him as Sultan because of his political and military capability.
