Q30. What was the system of assigning revenue-yielding territories to Sultanate officers called?
[RRB Group D — 2018]
A. Mansabdari
B. Iqtadari
C. Ryotwari
D. Mahalwari
Answer: B. Iqtadari
Explanation: The Iqta system linked territorial revenue assignments with military and administrative service and became fundamental to the organisation of the early Delhi Sultanate.
Q29. Razia Sultan was the daughter of which ruler?
[RRB Group D — 2018]
A. Aibak
B. Iltutmish
C. Balban
D. Nasiruddin Mahmud
Answer: B. Iltutmish
Explanation: Iltutmish recognised Razia’s abilities and reportedly nominated her as a suitable successor. She eventually became Sultan of Delhi in 1236.
Q28. Which scholar compared certain Indian philosophical concepts with Islamic and Sufi thought?
[UPSC CDS — 2018]
A. Al-Biruni
B. Hasan Nizami
C. Abul Fazl
D. Badauni
Answer: A. Al-Biruni
Explanation: Al-Biruni frequently employed comparative methods, examining Indian philosophy alongside ideas familiar to Islamic intellectual traditions while carefully distinguishing cultural and doctrinal differences.
Q27. Why were Turkish invasions comparatively successful in establishing power in northern India?
[UPPCS — 2018]
A. Complete political unity among Indian kingdoms
B. Political fragmentation among major north Indian powers
C. Absence of cavalry among Turks
D. Naval domination by the Ghurids
Answer: B. Political fragmentation among major north Indian powers
Explanation: Rivalries among Rajput and other regional states prevented sustained coordinated resistance, while Turkish armies benefited from mobile cavalry, strategic leadership and better military organisation.
Q26. The Chahamanas or Chauhans, the dynasty of Prithviraj III, are included in which traditional Rajput grouping?
[UPSC NDA & NA (I) — 2018]
A. Agnikula
B. Chandravansha only
C. Ikshvaku only
D. Nanda lineage
Answer: A. Agnikula
Explanation: Later Rajput traditions group the Pratiharas, Paramaras, Chaulukyas and Chahamanas among the Agnikula clans, traditionally linked to a fire sacrifice at Mount Abu.
Q25. Who was the first successful Muslim invader of Sindh?
[PSPCL LDC — 2018]
A. Mahmud of Ghazni
B. Muhammad-bin-Qasim
C. Muhammad Ghori
D. Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Answer: B. Muhammad-bin-Qasim
Explanation: Qasim’s conquest of Sindh under the Umayyads in 711–712 was the first lasting Muslim territorial conquest within the Indian subcontinent.
Q24. Muhammad Ghori suffered a major defeat in Gujarat in 1178 at the hands of which power?
[RAS/RTS — 2018]
A. Chahamana kingdom
B. Chaulukyas of Gujarat
C. Cholas
D. Palas
Answer: B. Chaulukyas of Gujarat
Explanation: Ghori’s Gujarat expedition ended disastrously near Kayadara. Queen Naiki Devi, acting for the young Chaulukya ruler, is prominently associated with resistance to the invasion.
Q23. Al-Biruni was born in a region corresponding largely to which present-day country?
[KVS TGT — 2018]
A. Uzbekistan
B. Sri Lanka
C. Nepal
D. Iraq
Answer: A. Uzbekistan
Explanation: Al-Biruni was born at Khwarazm in 973, in the region of modern Uzbekistan, before later becoming associated with Mahmud’s court at Ghazni.
Q22. In which year was Muhammad Ghori defeated by the Chaulukyas of Gujarat?
[BPSC CDPO — 2018]
A. 1178
B. 1191
C. 1192
D. 1206
Answer: A. 1178
Explanation: The Battle of Kayadara in 1178 checked Ghori’s attempt to penetrate northern India through Gujarat, encouraging him subsequently to concentrate on the Punjab route.
Q21. Whom did Muhammad Ghori defeat in the Battle of Chandawar in 1194?
[MPPSC Preliminary Examination — 2017]
A. Jaichand/Jayachandra
B. Prithviraj Chauhan
C. Anandapala
D. Bhima I
Answer: A. Jaichand/Jayachandra
Explanation: Jayachandra of the Gahadavala dynasty was defeated and killed in the Battle of Chandawar, strengthening Ghurid access to the middle Gangetic plain.
