Khaljis MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Khaljis - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is - Alauddin Khalji

Key Points

• Alauddin Khalji
  • Alauddin Khalji was the Sultan of Delhi from 1296 to 1316 CE.
  • He was the second ruler of the Khalji dynasty and is known for his military conquests and administrative reforms.
  • Alauddin implemented significant economic reforms, including price control measures and market regulations.
  • He successfully repelled multiple Mongol invasions, strengthening the Delhi Sultanate's defenses.

Additional Information

• Balban
  • Balban (reigned 1266-1287 CE) was a ruler of the Mamluk dynasty.
  • He is known for his strict military and administrative policies.
  • Balban's reign marked the consolidation of the Sultanate's power and the suppression of internal rebellions.
• Iltutmish
  • Iltutmish (reigned 1211-1236 CE) was the third ruler of the Mamluk dynasty.
  • He is credited with consolidating the Delhi Sultanate and establishing its administrative framework.
  • Iltutmish also introduced the silver tanka and the jital, standardizing currency in the Sultanate.
• Muhammad-bin Tughlaq
  • Muhammad-bin Tughlaq (reigned 1325-1351 CE) was a ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty.
  • He is known for his ambitious projects and administrative experiments, some of which led to significant unrest.
  • Muhammad-bin Tughlaq's decision to move the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad is one of the most well-known events of his reign.

The correct answer is - Alauddin Khalji

Key Points

• Alauddin Khalji
  • Alauddin Khalji was the second ruler of the Khalji dynasty in India.
  • He ruled from 1296 to 1316 AD and is known for his military conquests and administrative reforms.
  • He established the city of Siri in Delhi as his capital, which was the second of the seven cities of Delhi.
  • Siri Fort, built by Alauddin Khalji, served as a strong defense structure against Mongol invasions.

Additional Information

• Babur
  • Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire in India and ruled from 1526 to 1530.
  • He established his capital in Agra after defeating Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat.
• Akbar
  • Akbar was the third Mughal emperor, ruling from 1556 to 1605.
  • He is known for his policy of religious tolerance and administrative reforms.
  • He established Fatehpur Sikri as his capital during part of his reign.
• Kaikubad
  • Kaikubad was a ruler of the Mamluk dynasty in Delhi.
  • He ruled from 1287 to 1290 but did not establish a significant capital city like Siri.

The correct answer is - Diwan-i-Mustakharaj

Key Points

• Diwan-i-Mustakharaj
  • Alauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, established the Diwan-i-Mustakharaj to improve the efficiency of revenue collection and address any discrepancies.
  • This department was specifically tasked with overseeing the collection of arrears and ensuring that revenue was collected systematically and justly.
  • The department played a crucial role in stabilizing the economy by eliminating corruption and fraudulent practices in revenue collection.
  • It ensured that the state's revenue system was more streamlined and efficient, benefiting both the state and its subjects.

Additional Information

• Diwan-i-Aariz
  • This department was responsible for military organization and administration.
  • It handled the recruitment, training, and maintenance of the army.
• Diwan-i-Wajarat
  • This department dealt with finance and taxation.
  • It was responsible for managing the state's revenue and expenditure.
• Diwan-i-Insha
  • This department was in charge of royal correspondence and state records.
  • It managed the drafting and dispatch of official letters and documents.

The correct answer is - All of the above

Key Points

• Allauddin Khilji's Economic Organisation
  • Allauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi, implemented several significant economic reforms during his reign from 1296 to 1316 AD.
  • These reforms were aimed at consolidating his power, controlling the economy, and maintaining a strong military.
• End of Land Grants
  • Allauddin Khilji abolished the practice of land grants to nobles and religious institutions. This helped in ensuring that the revenue generated from the land went directly to the state treasury.
  • This move was intended to reduce the power of the landed aristocracy and ensure a steady flow of revenue to the central authority.
• An Oppressive Tax System
  • Khilji implemented a rigorous tax system, which included taxes on agricultural produce, trade, and other economic activities.
  • The main taxes were 'Kharaj' (land tax), 'Jizya' (tax on non-Muslims), and 'Ghari' (house tax).
  • This oppressive tax system helped in amassing significant revenue for the state, ensuring the maintenance of a large standing army.
• Cloth and Animal Markets
  • He established state-controlled markets (Shahana-i-Mandi) for essential commodities like cloth, grains, and animals.
  • Prices in these markets were fixed by the state, and any violation of the fixed prices was strictly punished.
  • This ensured the availability of essential goods at stable prices and prevented hoarding and black marketing.

Additional Information

• Allauddin Khilji's Market Reforms
  • He established a strict control over the prices of essential commodities to prevent inflation and ensure the availability of goods to the common people at reasonable prices.
  • His market regulations were enforced by appointed officials called 'Shahna' who supervised the market activities and punished defaulters.
• Military Reforms
  • Khilji's economic reforms were closely linked to his military needs. The revenue generated from his tax system was used to maintain a large, well-equipped standing army.
  • He introduced a system of branding horses (Dagh) and maintaining descriptive rolls of soldiers (Chehra) to prevent corruption in the army.

The correct answer is: 'Chouhan ruler of Bundi'.

Key Points

• Veer Singh as the Chouhan ruler of Bundi:
  • Veer Singh was a notable Chouhan ruler associated with Bundi, a significant princely state in Rajasthan.
  • He is remembered for his valiant resistance against Mahmud Khalji of Malwa, showcasing his dedication to protecting his kingdom.
  • Bundi's strategic location made it a target for various invasions, and rulers like Veer Singh played crucial roles in its defense.

Additional Information

• Chouhan ruler of Nadol:
  • Nadol, another region ruled by the Chouhans, had a different historical context and rulers.
  • Rulers from Nadol were more involved in conflicts with local tribes and other neighboring states rather than Malwa.
• Chouhan ruler of Ranthambhore:
  • Ranthambhore, famous for its fort, was a significant stronghold in the medieval period.
  • Rulers here often faced invasions from the Delhi Sultanate rather than Malwa.
• Chouhan ruler of Sirohi:
  • Sirohi, another region in Rajasthan, had its own line of rulers and distinct history.
  • The rulers of Sirohi were more engaged in regional disputes and alliances rather than direct conflicts with Malwa.

Additional Information

Key Points

Hauz Khas is named after an ancient water reservoir by the same name, now part of the extensive Hauz Khas Complex. In the Urdu language, 'Hauz’ means "water tank" (or lake) and ‘Khas’ means "royal", giving it the meaning — the "Royal tank". The large water tank or reservoir was first built by Alauddin Khalji (1296–1316) (the plaque displayed at the site records this fact) to supply water to the inhabitants of Siri Fort.

Alauddin Khalji also known as Ali Gurshasp born in 1266 AD and ruled as Sultan of Delhi from 1296-1316 AD.
He was the nephew and a son-in-law of his predecessor Jalaluddin. He was the first Muslim ruler to extend his empire right up to the extreme South of India.

He conquered Gujarat, Ranathambor, Mewar, Malwa, Jalore, Warangal and Madurai. He is also famous in history for defeating the Mongols many times. 

Alauddin Khalji’s campaign into South India.

• Delhi was attacked twice, in 1299/1300 and 1302-03. As a defensive measure, Alauddin Khalji raised a large standing army.
• Alauddin constructed a newly constructed garrison town named Siri for his soldiers.
• Alauddin chose to pay his soldiers salaries in cash rather than iqtas. The soldiers would buy their supplies from merchants in Delhi and it was thus feared that merchants would raise their prices. To stop this, Alauddin controlled the prices of goods in Delhi. Prices were carefully surveyed by officers, and merchants who did not sell at the prescribed rates were punished.

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The reign of Alauddin Khilji marks the zenith of the Delhi Sultanate. In 1296 A.D. Alauddin Khilji succeeded Jalal-ud-din Firoz Khilji and ascended the throne.

• He was the first Muslim ruler to extend his empire right up to the extreme South of India.
• He conquered Gujarat, Ranathambor, Mewar, Malwa, Jalore, Warangal and Madurai.
• He is also famous for defeating the Mongols more than 12 times.
• As a continuation of Balban’s policy of kingship, Alauddin too strengthened the position of Sultan through some through measures. 
• During his time a system of price controls had been set up, reduced the salary amount that needed to be paid. Three separate markets were set up in Delhi.
• The first one for food grains, the second for cloth and items such as ghee, oil and sugar. The third market was horses, cattle, and slaves.
• Regulations were laid out for the operations of these markets. He took various steps to control the prices. He exercised supervisions over the market.
• He fixed the prices of all the commodities from top to bottom. Market officers called shahna were appointed to keep a check on the prices. The defaulters were heavily punished.
• Land revenue was fixed and the grain was stored in government granaries. The soldiers and the civil population were greatly benefitted from these measures due to the low prices of the essential goods.
• Shaikh Mubarak travellers mention about growing prices during Mubarak Khalij's reign.

Ziauddin Barani (1285–1358 CE) was a Muslim political thinker of the Delhi Sultanate located in present-day North India during Muhammad bin Tughlaq and Firuz Shah's reign. He was best known for composing the Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi, a work on medieval India, which covers the period from the reign of Ghiyas ud din Balban to the first six years of the reign of Firoz Shah Tughluq and the Fatwa-i-Jahandari which promoted a hierarchy among Muslim communities in the Indian subcontinent, even if historian M. Athar Ali says that it's not on a racialist basis or even like the Hindu caste system, but taking as a model Sassanid Iran, which promoted an idea of the aristocracy through birth and which was claimed by Persians to be "fully in accordance with the main thrust of Islamic thought as it had developed by that time", including in the works of his near-contemporary Ibn Khaldun

A Sanskrit Prashasti praising the Delhi Sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban (1266-1287) explained that he was the ruler of a vast empire that stretched from Bengal (Gauda) in the east to Ghazni (Gajjana) in Afghanistan in the west and included all of south India (Dravida).

Prashastis is a special kind of inscription, meaning “in praise of”. They were composed by learned Brahmans in praise of the rulers, which may not be literally true; but, they tell us how rulers of that time wanted to illustrate themselves. They were exaggerated by Brahmins to get rewards..

Gujarat's Somnath Temple:

• Mahmud of Ghazni (1024 AD): This event is well-documented. Mahmud of Ghazni raided the Somnath Temple, breaking the jyotirlinga and plundering vast treasures. He is reported to have taken booty worth around 20 million dinars.
• Ulugh Khan (1299 AD): Ulugh Khan, a general of Alauddin Khilji, is known to have attacked and destroyed the temple. According to some historical sources, the idol of Shiva (Somnath) was taken to Delhi, though versions of this story can differ.
• Zafar Khan (1395 AD): Zafar Khan, the founder of the Gujarat Sultanate, attacked the Somnath Temple around 1395, leading to further destruction.
• Mahmud Begada (1451 AD): The Sultan of Gujarat, Mahmud Begada, attacked and desecrated the temple in the mid-15th century.
• Portuguese (1546 AD): The mention of the Portuguese attacking the temple in 1546 is less well-documented in primary historical sources but is noted in some accounts.
• Aurangzeb (1665 AD): The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb ordered the destruction of the temple structure again, leading to its final recorded desecration before the modern period.

Series of destruction and reconstruction started:

• Mahmud of Ghazni (1025 AD): The first known "Mughal calamity" is indeed inaccurate since Mahmud of Ghazni was not a Mughal; he was a ruler of the Ghaznavid dynasty. He invaded Saurashtra and destroyed the Somnath Temple. At that time, King Bhima I (Bhima Dev) of the Solanki dynasty was ruling, not King Bhoj.
• Reconstruction around 1050 AD: The temple was soon rebuilt, and an inscription mentioning Siyaka II performing a Swarna Tula ceremony in 1045 AD is accurate. Siyaka II was a Paramara king.
• Reconstruction by Kumarapala in 1150 AD: The fifth reconstruction did indeed likely take place under King Kumarapala of the Solanki dynasty around 1150 AD, after the previous reconstruction efforts and destruction. This restoration was extensive and involved significant enhancements to the entire town, including fortifications, additional buildings, and gold pinnacles placed by the minister Udayana. Bhava Brihaspati was indeed a known patron of these constructions.
• Destruction by Alaf Khan (Ulugh Khan) in 1297: There is a partial confusion here. The destruction in 1299 AD was carried out by Ulugh Khan, also known as Alaf Khan, the general of Alauddin Khilji, whereafter it was desolated. The reconstruction efforts during this period were typically attributed more generally to local rulers and devotees rather than specifically to Mahipaldeva.

Muhammad Bakhtayar Khalji is known to have created autonomous dominion comprising Bihar and Bengal in the early 13th century. Key Points

• Muhammad Bakhtayar Khalji was a Turkic general who served in the Delhi Sultanate. In 1203-1204, he led a military expedition into Bengal and defeated the Sena dynasty, which had ruled the region for centuries.
• Bakhtayar Khalji then established an autonomous dominion in Bengal, which comprised the modern-day states of Bihar and Bengal.
• He ruled this dominion until his death in 1206.
• Bakhtyar Khalji's conquest of Bengal was a significant event in the history of the Indian subcontinent.
• It marked the beginning of Muslim rule in Bengal, which would last for over 600 years.
• Bakhtayar Khalji's rule also had a significant impact on the religious landscape of Bengal, as he destroyed many Hindu temples and monasteries.
• The legacy of Muhammad Bakhtayar Khalji is a complex one.
• He is often seen as a ruthless conqueror who destroyed much of Bengal's cultural heritage.

• However, he is also credited with introducing Islam to the region and laying the foundations for the later Mughal Empire.

So the correct answer is Muhammad Bakhtayar Khalji,

Alauddin Khilji was born in 1266 AD and ruled as the Sultan of Delhi from 1296 AD – 1316 AD.

• He was the nephew and a son-in-law of his predecessor Jalaluddin. 
• He was the first Muslim ruler to extend his empire right up to the extreme South of India.
• He conquered Gujarat, Ranathambor, Mewar, Malwa, Jalore, Warangal, and Madurai. He is also famous in history for defeating the Mongols many times.
• During his time a system of price controls had been set up, reduced the salary amount that needed to be paid. Three separate markets were set up in Delhi.
• The first one for food grains, the second for cloth and items such as ghee, oil and sugar. The third market was horses, cattle, and slaves.
• Regulations were laid out for the operations of these markets. He took various steps to control the prices. He exercised supervision over the market. He fixed the prices of all the commodities from top to bottom. Market officers called shahna were appointed to keep a check on the prices. The defaulters were heavily punished. Land revenue was fixed and the grain was stored in government granaries. These market regulations and stability of prices were the wonders of his age. The soldiers and the civil population were greatly benefitted from these measures due to the low prices of the essential goods.
• The religious doctrine was secondary to administrative policy for Alauddin are clear from an exchange that Barani notes between Alauddin and the cleric Qazi Mughis, in which Alauddin says:
• “To prevent rebellions in which thousands perish, I issue such orders as I conceive to be for the good of the state, and the benefit of the people. Men are heedless, disrespectful, and disobey my commands. I am then compelled to be severe and bring them to obedience. I do not know whether this is according to the sharia, or against the sharia; whatever I think for the good of the state or suitable for the emergency, that I decree”.
• Alauddin Khilji was also advised by Qazi Mughisuddin to act according to the laws of Shariat but he rejected his advice.
• He also imposed “jaziya tax” or the tax that non-Muslims pay to their Muslim overlords for protection. 

Hence, it is clear from the above points that the Sultan Alauddin Khalji refused to implement Shariat on the advice of a Quazi.

The correct answer is option  Qazi Mughisuddin.

Key Points

• Allauddin Khilji came to the throne of the Delhi Sultanate in 1296 after killing the reigning Sultan, Jalaluddin Khalji, his uncle and father-in-law.
• His original name was ''Ali Gurshasp''.
• Even as a prince he had shown a passion for conquering far-off territories and had led armies for it.
• He wanted to become a world conqueror.
• In his coins, he described himself as Sikandar Sanni (Second Alexander).
• Once on the throne, among his severest challenges was facing six major Mongol attacks, often at the head of vast armies of a lakh or more.
• He led campaigns several against Gujarat, Mewar, Malwa etc. and also in the South and conquered them.

Qazi Mughisuddin was a theologian in Allauddin's court. 

• Qazi Mughisuddin advised Allauddin Khilji to act according to the laws of Shariat, but the Sultan rejected his advice.
• Therefore, Allauddin Khilji quoted the given lines to Qazi Mughisuddin.

Important Points

• Qazi Fakhruddin was a descendant of the noted Muslim theologian Abu Hanifa, who purchased Aibak.
• Aibak was treated affectionately in the Qazi's household and was educated with the Qazi's sons.
• He learned archery and horse riding, besides the Quran recital.
• Sharaf Qaini was the revenue minister in the empire of Allauddin Khilji.
• Alaul Mulk was the uncle of Barani, who convinced Allauddin to drop the idea of starting a new religion and it could only be found based on a revelation from God, not based on human wisdom. 
• Alaul Mulk also argued that even great conquerors like Genghis Khan had not been able to subvert Islam, and people would revolt against Alauddin for founding a new religion.

During 1310-1311, the Delhi Sultanate ruler Alauddin Khalji sent an army led by Malik Kafur to the southernmost kingdoms of India.

• After subjugating the Hoysalas, Malik Kafur invaded the Pandya kingdom in present-day Tamil Nadu, taking advantage of a war of succession between the Pandya brothers Vira and Sundara.
• During March–April 1311, he raided several places in the Pandya territory, including their capital Madurai.
• He was unable to make the Pandya king a tributary to the Delhi Sultanate but obtained huge plunder, including elephants, horses, gold, and precious stones.

Key Points

• Alauddin Khilji was an ambitious and imperialist Sultan. He intended to conquer entire India.
• Hence after conquering Northern India, he paid attention to South India.
• In fact, the expansionist policy of Alauddin was the most obvious reason for invading the South.
• The states of the South were very prosperous and rich and Sultan Alauddin Khalji was in need of money for the completion of his schemes and for disbursing the salaries of the soldiers.
• He knew well about the prosperity of the South after his first successful ex­pedition to Deogiri in 1296 a.d.
• So he made a plan to conquer the South in order to get the required money.
• As the states of the Deccan were at daggers drawn with one another, Alauddin Khalji thought this an appropriate time for the invasion.
• The Yadava ruler, Ram Chandra Deva, of Deogiri had not been sending annual tribute to Delhi Sultanate for the last few years, and as Alauddin was in need of money, he invaded the South to realize the pending revenue and to get further booty.
• Alauddin had organized a vast, powerful, and well-equipped army in order to check the Mongol invasion and to attain victory in Northern India. By now, the fear of the Mongol invasion had vanished and the victory of Northern India was completed. Hence it was necessary to engage the army in some expedition to avoid every possibility of revolt, hence he sent the army to the South.
• Alauddin’s object in invading the Deccan kingdoms was to make them the milch cow for the gold that he was often much in need of for proper maintenance of army to keep Hindustan free from internal disturbances and invasions by the Mongols from outside.
• He forced the rulers to accept his supremacy. Malik Kafur was brought from Gujarat, which served him well to attain success in achieving the goal. He commanded all the expeditions to the south and brought immense booty for his master.  

​Hence, the correct answer is Alauddin Khalji. 

Additional Information

Mohammad Ghori: 

• Mu'izz ad-Din Muhammad Ghori born Shihab ad-Din (1149 – March 15, 1206), also known as Muhammad of Ghor, was the Sultan of the Ghurid Empire along with his brother Ghiyath ad-Din Muhammad from 1173 to 1202 and as the sole ruler from 1202 to 1206.
• He is credited with laying the foundation of Muslim rule in the Indian subcontinent, which lasted for several centuries.
• He reigned over a territory spanning over parts of modern-day Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Northern India, Pakistan, Tajikistan and, Turkmenistan.

​Iltutmish: 

• Shams ud-Din Iltutmish, (1211–1236) was the third of the Mamluk kings who ruled the former Ghurid territories in northern India. He was the first Muslim sovereign to rule from Delhi and is thus considered the effective founder of the Delhi Sultanate.

• Sold into slavery as a young boy, Iltutmish spent his early life in Bukhara and Ghazni under multiple masters. In the late 1190s, the Ghurid slave-commander Qutb al-Din Aibak purchased him in Delhi, thus making him the slave of a slave. 

• Iltutmish rose to prominence in Aibak's service and was granted the important iqta' of Badaun. His military actions against the Khokhar rebels in 1205-1206 gained the attention of the Ghurid Emperor Mu'izz ad-Din, who manumitted him even before his master Aibak was manumitted.

The correct answer is Mahmud Khalji I.Key Points

• Mandu formed a prominent capital city of the Malwa kingdom.
• Ala’ al-Din Khalji (reg. 1296-1316) captured this erstwhile settlement of the Paramaras, it was renamed Shadiabad by Hushang Shah Ghuri. 
• The Ghurid dynasty was quickly replaced by the Khaljis, who controlled the Malwa sultanate from 1436 to 1531.
• There was a small period when the Sultans of Gujarat and the Mughals had control, but from 1537 to 1561, Mandu struggled to remain as an independent state.
• The last of its independent rulers was the famous Baz Bahadur (reg. 1555-1561).
• Through all these dynastic changes, it remained the capital of the sultans of Malwa from 1401 to till it was completely subdued by the Mughals in 1562.
• Mahmud Khalji I was interested in architecture.
• Besides completing the Jama Masjid and Tomb of Hoshang, he built number of structure.
• He built a hospital in mandu in 1445.
• He gave land for its maintenance, with his own physician being appointed to supervise the hospitals.