Q110. Who organised the influential group of Turkish nobles known as the Chahalgani or “Group of Forty”?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, 16 March — 2026]
A. Qutb-ud-din Aibak
B. Iltutmish
C. Balban
D. Alauddin Khalji
Answer: B. Iltutmish
Explanation: Iltutmish developed the Chahalgani, an elite corps of Turkish slave-officers who occupied important administrative and military positions during the early consolidation of Sultanate authority.
Q109. The Iqta system became an important administrative feature in India under which early Sultanate dynasty?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, 17 June — 2026]
A. Khalji
B. Mamluk or Slave
C. Sayyid
D. Lodi
Answer: B. Mamluk or Slave
Explanation: The early Turkish Sultans, particularly Iltutmish, developed Iqta assignments whereby officials collected revenue from designated territories in return for administrative and military obligations.
Q108. Which architectural technique became particularly prominent with the establishment of Turkish Sultanate architecture in India?
[RRB NTPC Undergraduate CBT-I, 13 June — 2026]
A. Wooden truss only
B. True arch and dome construction
C. Exclusively rock-cut halls
D. Shikhara construction only
Answer: B. True arch and dome construction
Explanation: Turkish builders popularised arcuate construction involving arches and domes, gradually combining West and Central Asian architectural principles with established Indian craftsmanship and decorative traditions.
Q107. Which early Sultan is closely associated with strengthening the Iqta system and the concept of a Sultanate-centred “Circle of Justice”?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, 24 March — 2026]
A. Iltutmish
B. Babur
C. Sher Shah
D. Ibrahim Lodi
Answer: A. Iltutmish
Explanation: Iltutmish institutionalised Iqta administration during the formative Sultanate period. Revenue, military service and political authority became closely interconnected in sustaining the new state.
Q106. Which decorative form became prominent in early Indo-Islamic Sultanate buildings?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, 27 March — 2026]
A. Amalaka
B. Kalasha
C. Arabesque
D. Torana only
Answer: C. Arabesque
Explanation: Arabesque decoration uses interlacing geometric and vegetal patterns. It became prominent in Indo-Islamic buildings alongside calligraphy and adaptations of existing Indian ornamental craftsmanship.
Q105. According to Amir Khusrau’s observation, which learned language was particularly associated with Brahmanical scholarship?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I, 18 March — 2026]
A. Sanskrit
B. Pali
C. Turkish
D. Urdu
Answer: A. Sanskrit
Explanation: Sanskrit remained the principal classical language of Brahmanical religious and scholarly traditions, while Persian increasingly became important in administration and literary culture under Sultanate rule.
Q104. Which battle decisively opened the way for the establishment of Turkish political power around Delhi?
[Delhi Police Head Constable AWO/TPO, 21 January — 2026]
A. First Battle of Panipat
B. Second Battle of Tarain
C. Battle of Plassey
D. Battle of Khanwa
Answer: B. Second Battle of Tarain
Explanation: Muhammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192. The victory enabled subsequent Ghurid expansion across the Delhi-Ganga region.
Q103. Who wrote Kitab-ul-Hind, an important account of eleventh-century India?
[Delhi Police Constable Executive, 2 January — 2026]
A. Hasan Nizami
B. Al-Biruni
C. Minhaj-us-Siraj
D. Firdausi
Answer: B. Al-Biruni
Explanation: Al-Biruni learned Sanskrit and closely investigated Indian sciences, beliefs and social institutions. His analytical Kitab-ul-Hind was written in Arabic.
Q102. Al-Biruni was born in which year?
[MP Police Sub-Inspector, 18 January — 2026]
A. 927 CE
B. 973 CE
C. 1017 CE
D. 1027 CE
Answer: B. 973 CE
Explanation: Al-Biruni was born in 973 CE in Khwarazm. Mahmud’s conquest of Khwarazm later brought the scholar into the Ghaznavid intellectual environment.
Q101. Which pair correctly represents important currency associated with Iltutmish?
[MP Police Sub-Inspector, 18 January — 2026]
A. Silver Tanka and Copper Jital
B. Rupiya and Dam
C. Dinar and Dirham only
D. Mohur and Rupiya
Answer: A. Silver Tanka and Copper Jital
Explanation: Iltutmish standardised the silver Tanka and copper Jital, helping strengthen the monetary system of the newly consolidated Delhi Sultanate after the Ghurid conquests.
