Focus On Solutions for ICSE Class 7 History Civics Chapter 4 The Delhi Sultanate

Important Words

1. Price control:
Price control is the practice where the king or the government controls the prices of goods to prevent shopkeepers from increasing prices. This policy was famously implemented by Alauddin Khalji to maintain a large army at low costs. It ensured that essential commodities remained affordable for both soldiers and common citizens during his reign.
Teacher's Tip: Think of price control as the medieval version of today's Maximum Retail Price (MRP).
Exam Tip: For full marks, mention that this policy helped Alauddin Khalji maintain a huge standing army without increasing their salaries.

2. Devagiri:
Devagiri was the city which Muhammad bin Tughlaq chose to shift his capital to. He renamed it Daulatabad. This city was located in the Deccan and was chosen because it was more centrally located than Delhi. Unfortunately, the move resulted in great hardship for the people who were forced to travel long distances.
Teacher's Tip: Remember that Devagiri and Daulatabad are different names for the same city.
Exam Tip: Always mention that Devagiri was renamed "Daulatabad" to show complete knowledge.

3. Token currency:
Token currency was the system of currency introduced by Muhammad bin Tughlaq where brass and copper coins were to have the same value as silver and gold coins. This was an experimental step intended to save precious metals like silver for the state treasury. However, the scheme failed because the Sultan could not stop people from forging these coins at their homes.
Teacher's Tip: 'Token' means something that represents a higher value, like a coupon or a casino chip.
Exam Tip: To score high, explain that the lack of state control over the minting of coins led to the failure of this project.

4. The ulema:
The ulema were the group of Muslim religious scholars who also advised the king. They held significant influence over the legal and social matters of the Sultanate based on Islamic laws. Most Sultans consulted them to ensure their rule was seen as religiously legitimate by the public.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the Ulema as the "legal experts" or "judges" of the medieval Islamic world.
Exam Tip: Mention that Muhammad bin Tughlaq was one of the few rulers who tried to reduce their interference in state affairs.

Time To Learn

I. Fill in the blanks:

1. Qutab-ud-din Aibak was the real founder of the Slave Dynasty.
2. Razia was nominated by Iltutmish as his successor.
3. Balban’s theory of kingship was divine.
4. Jalal-ud-din Khalji was the first Khalji ruler.
5. Malik Kafur led many campaigns in North India and every time he brought a huge booty of gold, jewels, elephants and horses.
6. Amir Khusrau was a well-known poet in the court of Ala- ud-din Khalji.
7. Ala-ud-din constructed a big tank called Hauz khas.
8. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq shifted his capital from Delhi to Devagiri.
9. Amir Timur invaded India in AD 1398.
10. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq introduced copper coins in place of gold and silver coins.

Answer:
These blanks cover the major milestones and personalities of the Delhi Sultanate from its beginning to its decline. Understanding these facts helps in building a chronological timeline of the different dynasties like the Slave, Khalji, and Tughlaq dynasties.
Teacher's Tip: Use the initials S-K-T-S-L to remember the order of dynasties: Slave, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi.
Exam Tip: Ensure you spell names like 'Qutab-ud-din' and 'Iltutmish' correctly to avoid losing marks.

II. Match Column A with Column B:

Column A
1. Razia
2. Balban
3. Iltutmish
4. Aibak
5. Ala-ud-din Khalji
6. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq introduced
7. Doab means
8. Bahlol Lodi
9. AD 1526
Column B
(a) nominated his daughter to the throne
(b) founder of the Slave Dynasty
(c) believed in absolute monarchy
(d) the only woman ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.
(e) introduced control of prices and rationing system.
(f) land between two rivers
(g) token currency
(h) First Battle of Panipat was fought.
(i) Founder of Lodi dynasty.
Answer:
1. Razia - (d) the only woman ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.
2. Balban - (c) believed in absolute monarchy
3. Iltutmish - (a) nominated his daughter to the throne
4. Aibak - (b) founder of the Slave Dynasty
5. Ala-ud-din Khalji - (e) introduced control of prices and rationing system.
6. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq introduced - (g) token currency
7. Doab means - (f) land between two rivers
8. Bahlol Lodi - (i) Founder of Lodi dynasty.
9. AD 1526 - (h) First Battle of Panipat was fought.
Matching these key terms allows us to associate significant historical figures with their most important achievements or definitions. For instance, knowing that the Doab is the fertile land between two rivers explains why Sultans always wanted to tax that region heavily.
Teacher's Tip: Draw lines mentally first, then write the corresponding letters clearly next to the numbers.
Exam Tip: 1526 is a vital date because it marks the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the start of the Mughal Empire.

III. State weather the following statements are True Or False:

1. Qutub-ud-din Aibak built the Qutub Minar of Delhi.
Answer: True. Aibak started the construction, though it was completed by his successor Iltutmish. It stands as a magnificent example of early Indo-Islamic architecture in Delhi.
Teacher's Tip: Think of 'A' for Aibak starting the 'A'rchitecture of the Minar.
Exam Tip: If the question asks who *completed* it, the answer is Iltutmish.

2. Balban believed in absolute monarchy.
Answer: True. He believed that the King was God's shadow on earth and should have unquestionable power. This helped him restore discipline and order among the rebellious Turkish nobles.
Teacher's Tip: Balban used the 'Policy of Blood and Iron' to enforce his absolute power.
Exam Tip: Use the term 'Divine Theory of Kingship' to describe Balban's style of rule.

3. Malik Kafur was also known as Hazar Dinari because he was bought for a thousand dinars.
Answer: True. He was a trusted general of Alauddin Khalji who led successful military campaigns into South India. His nickname comes from the high price paid for him in a slave market.
Teacher's Tip: 'Hazar' means 1,000 in Persian/Hindustani.
Exam Tip: Mention that Malik Kafur reached as far as Madurai in the south.

4. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq is known as a ‘mixture of opposites’.
Answer: True. He was extremely learned and brilliant but often lacked the practical common sense needed to implement his grand ideas. His personality combined high intelligence with sudden bursts of cruelty or rash decision-making.
Teacher's Tip: He was like a 'mad scientist' ruler - great ideas, but bad results.
Exam Tip: Give examples like the capital shift or token currency to support this 'mixture of opposites' label.

5. Firoz Shah Tughlaq was Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq’s son.
Answer: False. Firoz Shah Tughlaq was Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq’s cousin. He succeeded to the throne after Muhammad's death and focused more on public welfare and construction. He built many canals, hospitals, and new cities.
Teacher's Tip: Focus on 'Cousin' not 'Son' for the relationship between these two Tughlaqs.
Exam Tip: Always provide the correct relationship when a statement is false.

6. Sikandar Lodi lost control over the Gangetic Valley.
Answer: False Ibrahim Lodi lost control over the Gangetic Valley. Sikandar Lodi was actually a powerful ruler who expanded the empire and founded the city of Agra. It was the last ruler, Ibrahim, who faced the invasion of Babur.
Teacher's Tip: Sikandar was strong, Ibrahim was the one who struggled.
Exam Tip: Remember that Ibrahim Lodi was defeated in the First Battle of Panipat.

7. Khizr Khan was the founder of Sayyid dynasty.
Answer: False. Khizr Khan was the deputy of Sayyid dynasty. [Textbook correction: Khizr Khan is generally recognized as the founder of the Sayyid dynasty in most history books, but based on your textbook answer: False. Khizr Khan was the deputy of Sayyid dynasty.] He took control of Delhi after the invasion of Timur as Timur's representative.
Teacher's Tip: The Sayyid dynasty followed the Tughlaqs.
Exam Tip: Be careful to follow the specific facts provided in your textbook even if other sources differ.

IV. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1: What were the difficulties that Iltutmish had to face and how did he tackle them?
Answer: Iltutmish position was challenged from the very beginning since he had no hereditary claim over the throne. But Iltutmish proved himself as a strong and efficient ruler. He successfully suppressed the Turkish nobles who challenged him and crushed revolts in Bengal. He also protected India from the Mongols by refusing to give shelter to the Shah of Persia.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Iltutmish as the "Real Founder" who fixed all the starting problems of the kingdom.
Exam Tip: Mention his diplomatic refusal to help the Persian Shah as a key way he saved India from Mongols.

Question 2: Write in brief about the rise and fall of Razia Sultan.
Answer: Razia was brave, intelligent, and possessed all the royal qualities. She dressed like a man and used to sit in the open darbar to transact business. She even rode horses. She was a talented woman and regarded the welfare of her subjects as an essential duty. There was chaos and disorder in the country when Razia came to the throne. But being an able ruler, she put the things in order. She was a wise, just, and benevolent ruler. She became the true leader of her armies. But some nobles did not like to be ruled by a woman. She favoured a slave called Yakut and this was one of the causes of her abrupt fall.
Razia broke traditional gender roles by leading her army and appearing in public without a veil. Her downfall was mostly due to the jealousy and prejudice of the Turkish nobles known as 'The Forty'.
Teacher's Tip: Razia was the first and only female Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate.
Exam Tip: Focus on the "opposition of the nobles" as the primary reason for her fall.

Question 3: Who was Balban? What steps did he take to consolidate the Sultanate?
Answer: Balban was the father-in-law of Nasir-ud-din. He came to power after the death of Nasir-ud-din in AD 1266. The steps taken by Balban to consolidate the sultanate were:
1. Balban reformed the army to increase its efficiency.
2. Balban created an awe and respect in the minds of the people.
3. He made the people and the nobles loyal to the crown.
4. Balban put the administration in order.
5. He checked the Mongol invasions successfully.
6. He organised a very efficient spy system.
7. He strictly believed in the ‘divine theory’ of kingship, i.e., king is the representative of God on earth.
Balban introduced strict court customs like Sijdah and Paibos to show the Sultan's superiority. His efficient spy network ensured that no noble could plot against him without being caught.
Teacher's Tip: Balban is famous for his "Policy of Blood and Iron."
Exam Tip: List the "Divine Theory of Kingship" as his most important political belief.

Question 4: Who was the greatest of the two - Iltutmish or Balban? Give reason for your answer.
Answer: Iltutmish was the greatest ruler because of the following reasons:
1. The Turkish nobles who had challenged his claim to the throne were suppressed.
2. The revolt of the Khilji governor of Bengal was crushed.
3. The power of his external rivals, the rulers of Ghazni and Multan, was destroyed.
4. A new danger presented itself when the Mongol chief, Chenghiz Khan, reached the borders of India in pursuit of the Shah of Persia (Iran). The Shah had fled towards India in search of Shelter. Iltutmish politely refused to give him refuge and by doing so he saved India from the threat of the Mongol invasion.
5. After having got rid of his enemies, Iltutmish defeated the Rajput rulers of Ujjain, Ranthambore, Malwa and Gwalior. He brought the whole of North India up to the river Narmada under his control. The Caliph of Baghdad recognized him as the sovereign of India.
Iltutmish is considered greater because he established the Sultanate's foundation during its most vulnerable stage. He transformed a loosely held territory into a well-organized and recognized empire.
Teacher's Tip: Use the word "Consolidator" to describe Iltutmish's role in history.
Exam Tip: Mention the recognition by the "Caliph of Baghdad" as a point that gave him legal authority.

Question 5: Discuss briefly Ala-ud-din’s conquest of the North.
Answer: Alauddin first captured the fort of Ranthambore and then attacked Chittor, the capital of Mewar. The Rajputs fought bravely but lost the battle. This was followed by the capture of the important cities of Mandu, Ujjain, Dhar and Chanderi in Malwa. By 1305 CE, Alauddin become the master of the whole of North India.
His northern campaigns were characterized by his desire to expand his borders and acquire the wealth of powerful Rajput kingdoms. These victories allowed him to focus his attention later on conquering Southern India.
Teacher's Tip: Chittor is the place where the legend of Rani Padmini and Jauhar originated.
Exam Tip: Use the year "1305 CE" to mark the completion of his northern conquests.

Question 6: What was the system of chehra and dagh introduced by Ala-ud-din Khalji?
Answer: Ala-ud-din introduced a system of chehra, an identity card system for every soldier, and dagh to brand horses to be used specifically for wars.
The 'chehra' system recorded the physical description of each soldier to prevent fraud during salary collection. The 'dagh' system involved branding horses with a state mark so that soldiers couldn't replace fine war-horses with inferior ones.
Teacher's Tip: Chehra = Face (Identity); Dagh = Mark (Branding).
Exam Tip: Explain that these reforms were meant to make the army more efficient and organized.

Question 7: What was the consequence of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq’s project of shifting his capital?
Answer: Consequences: In the absence of the sultan, Delhi was now exposed to renewed attacks by the Mongols. Realizing his folly, Muhammad bin Tughlaq shifted his capital back to Delhi after 2 years. The people were ordered to return. The suffering and mental agony caused great resentment. The experiment was a dismal failure. It had drained the treasury and reduced the grand and prosperous capital of Delhi to a mere shadow of its former self. Daulatabad, a monument of misdirected energy, became a deserted city.
The long journey of over 1,500 kilometers caused the deaths of many citizens due to heat and exhaustion. Ultimately, the Sultan lost control over both the North and the South because of this failed experiment.
Teacher's Tip: Shifting a capital is hard, but shifting the *entire population* is impossible!
Exam Tip: Mention the "Mongol threat to Delhi" as a reason why he had to move back.

Question 8: Who was Timur? When did he invade India?
Answer: Amir Timur was a founder of the Sayyid Dynasty. Amir Timur invaded India in AD 1398.
[Correction based on OCR text: Amir Timur was actually a Central Asian conqueror whose invasion weakened the Tughlaqs, leading to the Sayyids taking power.] He carried away a vast amount of gold, silver, and jewels from Delhi, leaving the city in ruins. His invasion was the final blow that caused the disintegration of the Tughlaq empire.
Teacher's Tip: Timur's invasion is often called 'The Scourge of Delhi'.
Exam Tip: Associate the year 1398 with the fall of Delhi to Timur.

Question 9: Why is Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq called an ill-starred idealist?
Answer: Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq called an ill-starred idealist because:
1. He was a great philosopher and mathematician.
2. He was a great general but he lacked common sense and practical judgement.
3. He was a Sunni Muslim but did not allow the ulemas to interfere in state affairs.
4. Some historians argue that he was a man ahead of his time.
He had visionary ideas like token currency and capital shifting, but he failed to plan how they would actually work in the real world. His high intelligence and noble goals often led to disaster because he ignored the practical needs of his people.
Teacher's Tip: "Ill-starred" means unlucky, and "Idealist" means someone who dreams of perfect but impossible things.
Exam Tip: List his lack of "practical judgement" as the main reason for the failure of his schemes.

V. Give Reason why:

Question 1: Mahmud of Ghazni attacked India.
Answer: Mahmud of Ghazni attached India as he was in wealth rather than setting up an empire in the Indian subcontinent.
He targeted wealthy Hindu temples to loot their gold and jewels, which he then used to beautify his own capital, Ghazni. India's internal disunity at that time made it easy for him to raid the country repeatedly.
Teacher's Tip: Think of Mahmud as a "raider" rather than a "ruler".
Exam Tip: Use the word "plunder" to describe his primary motive.

Question 2: Turks succeeded against Rajputs
Answer: The Rajputs were brave soldiers and skilled swordsmen. But they suffered defeat after defeat. The reasons for their defeat or, in other words, causes for Muslim success were the following:
1. The Rajputs lacked unity. They were always fighting with each other. Prithviraj Chauhan and Jaichand could not unite against Muhammad Ghori.
2. Rajput chiefs were jealous of each other.
3. The Rajputs had no standing army of their own, and hence had to depend on the feudal lords for contingents.
4. The Rajputs were no match for the quick and swift army and cavalry of the Central Asian warriors.
The Turkish armies used superior military tactics and faster horses compared to the heavy elephant-led forces of the Rajputs. Most importantly, the constant infighting among Rajput clans prevented them from forming a single, united front against the invaders.
Teacher's Tip: Disunity is the enemy's best friend; the Rajputs were divided.
Exam Tip: Mention "lack of a standing army" as a major organizational weakness of the Rajputs.

Question 3: Nobles rebelled against Razia.
Answer: Nobles rebelled against Razia because they did not like the idea of being ruled by a woman.
In the medieval social order, men held all the power, and the Turkish nobles found it humiliating to take orders from a female Sultan. Their pride and prejudice eventually led them to plot her downfall and death.
Teacher's Tip: This was a case of "medieval sexism" where gender mattered more than ability.
Exam Tip: Focus on the "Turkish nobles" and their "prejudice" for a strong answer.

Question 4: Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq’s token currency failed.
Answer: Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq’s token currency failed because the token currency was made of copper and brass and had equal value as silver and gold coins. However, the experiment failed because people started forging these coins at their homes.
Since the new coins were made of cheap, common metals, they were easy for ordinary people to copy using basic tools. This flooded the market with fake money, leading to the collapse of the entire trade and economic system.
Teacher's Tip: Forgery is like printing fake notes at home; it destroys the value of money.
Exam Tip: Explain that the Sultan had to eventually exchange all the fake copper coins for real silver ones from his treasury.

VI. Picture study:

This is a picture of the remains Daulatabad Fort.

Question 1: Name the ruler who built it.
Answer: Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq.
Although the fort existed before, he significantly strengthened and expanded it when he chose the city as his new capital. It is located on a high conical hill, making it one of the most impregnable forts in India.
Teacher's Tip: The fort is in present-day Maharashtra.
Exam Tip: Associate the city Daulatabad with the Tughlaq dynasty.

Question 2: Write the two reasons behind the transfer of capital from Delhi to Daulatabad.
Answer: The transfer of the capital from Delhi to Devagiri (renamed Daulatabad) in the Deccan. Two major reasons prompted the sultan to take the decision.
1. Central location: With the expansion of the Delhi Sultanate into the Deccan, Devagiri was centrally located and nearly equidistant from Delhi and other important places.
2. Mongol invasions: Repeated Mongol attacks posed a great threat to Delhi. Daulatabad was at a safe distance from the invaders.
By moving the capital, the Sultan hoped to have a safer and more central point to govern both North and South India. He believed this would help him control the recently conquered southern provinces more effectively.
Teacher's Tip: Think of "C" for Central location and "M" for Mongol threat.
Exam Tip: Always mention that Devagiri was renamed "Daulatabad".

Question 3: What were the results of the transfer of capital?
Answer: Consequences: In the absence of the sultan, Delhi was now exposed to renewed attacks by the Mongols. Realizing his folly, Muhammad bin Tughlaq shifted his capital back to Delhi after 2 years. The people were ordered to return. The suffering and mental agony caused great resentment. The experiment was a dismal failure. It had drained the treasury and reduced the grand and prosperous capital of Delhi to a mere shadow of its former self. Daulatabad, a monument of misdirected energy, became a deserted city.
The move caused thousands of deaths and made the Sultan very unpopular among his subjects. It also weakened the defense of Northern India, allowing invaders to pose a greater threat.
Teacher's Tip: A "dismal failure" means it was a very sad and complete disaster.
Exam Tip: Mention the "draining of the royal treasury" as a major economic result.

I. Time To Do

1. Crossword Clues:
Down
1. Founder of Slave Dynasty: Qutub-ud-din Aibak
2. Leader of Mongols Across: Chenghiz Khan
3. Daughter of Iltutmish: Razia Sultan
4. Group of Turkish nobles called: Forty (Chahalgani)
Answer: This crossword focuses on the key figures that shaped the early Delhi Sultanate. From the founder Aibak to the first woman ruler Razia, these names are essential for understanding the Slave Dynasty.
Teacher's Tip: Chahalgani literally means 'The Forty' in Persian.
Exam Tip: Iltutmish organized 'The Forty', while Balban later destroyed them.

Additional Questions (The Delhi Sultanate)

A. Fill in the blanks:

1. The founder of the Khilji dynasty was Jalaluddin - Khilji.
2. Alauddin was a brilliant general and a shrewd administrator.
3. Alauddin was the first Turkish ruler to build an empire in India.
4. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq was an efficient administrator and a capable military commander.
5. Muhammad bin Tughlaq realized the importance of a strong and powerful army to strengthen and secure the position of the ruler. He needed additional revenue to increase military resources.
6. Firoze Shah’s economic reforms improved agricultural production and made the peasants prosperous and happy.
7. Alauddin built a strong defence system to protect his empire from Mongol raids.
8. Iltutmish defeated the Rajput rulers of Ujjain, Ranthambore, Malwa, and Gwalior and brought the whole of North India upto the river Narmada under his control.
9. The Caliph of Baghdad recognized Iltutmish as the sovereign of India. He was succeeded by his daughter Razia.

Answer: These blanks highlight the administrative and military strategies used by various Sultans to maintain their power. Rulers like Alauddin and Iltutmish focused on systematic expansion and strict control to keep the Sultanate stable.
Teacher's Tip: Note how 'Revenue' (money from taxes) was always linked to having a strong 'Army'.
Exam Tip: Remember the city names Ujjain, Ranthambore, Malwa, and Gwalior as they are often grouped together in questions about Iltutmish.

B. Match the following:

A
1. Jalaluddin Khilji
2. Alauddin Khilji
3. Chanderi
4. Warangal
5. Price control
B
(a) Shahna
(b) Malwa
(c) a mild and pious man
(d) a brilliant general and a shrewd administrator
(e) Deccan
Answer:
1. Jalaluddin Khilji - (c) a mild and pious man
2. Alauddin Khilji - (d) a brilliant general and a shrewd administrator
3. Chanderi - (b) Malwa
4. Warangal - (e) Deccan
5. Price control - (a) Shahna
This matching exercise connects rulers to their character traits and regions to their geographical locations. For example, knowing that Warangal is in the Deccan helps us understand Alauddin's southern expansion.
Teacher's Tip: A 'Shahna' was a market superintendent under Alauddin Khalji.
Exam Tip: Match "mild and pious" with Jalaluddin to distinguish him from his aggressive nephew, Alauddin.

C. State weather the following statements are True Or False:

1. Alauddin conquered Chittor, the capital of Mewar/ Malwa/Warangal.
Answer: Alauddin conquered Chittor, the capital of Mewar. This was one of his most famous victories in Northern India against the Rajput kings. The siege of Chittor is recorded in historical epics like the Padmavat.
Teacher's Tip: Mewar is a region in modern-day Rajasthan.
Exam Tip: Identify Chittor as the "capital of Mewar" specifically.

2. Alauddin was the first Turkish ruler to send an expedition to Gujarat/Rajasthan/the Deccan.
Answer: Alauddin was the first Turkish ruler to send an expedition to the Deccan. This was a ground-breaking move because no previous Sultan had crossed the Vindhyas to conquer South India. These campaigns brought him immense wealth and expanded his influence.
Teacher's Tip: The Deccan campaigns were led by his general, Malik Kafur.
Exam Tip: Always pick "Deccan" for his southern-most expeditions.

3. Most historians have traced the failure of Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s schemes to his character/education/ intelligence.
Answer: Most historians have traced the failure of Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s schemes to his character. His lack of patience and practical sense turned even his brilliant ideas into disasters. His personality was too complex and rigid for the needs of his empire.
Teacher's Tip: He was too academic and not "street-smart" enough to be a Sultan.
Exam Tip: Use the word "character" to explain his political failures.

4. Firoze Shah laid out about 1,200 gardens and orchards/ lakes/roads around Delhi.
Answer: Firoze Shah laid out about 1,200 gardens and orchards around Delhi. These gardens provided fresh fruit and a pleasant environment for the people of the capital. He was a ruler who focused on public works and improving the daily lives of his citizens.
Teacher's Tip: Firoz Shah Tughlaq was the "great builder" of the dynasty.
Exam Tip: Mention the specific number "1,200" to show precision in your answer.

5. The final blow to the Delhi Sultanate was dealt by the invasion of Babur/Timur/Khizr Khan.
Answer: The final blow to the Delhi Sultanate was dealt by the invasion of Timur. Although the Sultanate continued for another century, Timur's brutal sack of Delhi in 1398 left the kingdom broken and weak. It never fully regained its former glory after this event.
Teacher's Tip: Timur came in 1398, which is much earlier than Babur in 1526.
Exam Tip: For the *final* end of the Sultanate, the answer is Babur, but for the *blow* that broke the Tughlaqs, the answer is Timur.

D. State whether the following are true or false:

1. Alauddin dreamt of conquering the whole world. True.
2. Under Alauddin, spies were kept in every unit of the army. True.
3. Alauddin’s death was followed by great political turmoil. True.
4. Muhammad bin Tughlaq was a diligent ruler who undertook projects that were brilliantly conceived and executed. False.
Correct: Muhammad bin Tughlaq was a diligent ruler who undertook projects that were brilliantly conceived - and poorly executed.
5. Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s policy of increasing the taxes in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab region led to the development of agriculture in that region. False.
Correct: The policy of increasing the taxes in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab region led to the severe set back of agriculture in that region.
6. Muhammad bin Tughlaq stayed in Daulatabad for 5 years. False.
Correct: Muhammad bin Tughlaq stayed in Daulatabad for 2 years.

Answer: These True/False items focus on the administrative failures of the Tughlaqs and the military discipline of the Khaljis. They show how even a hardworking ruler like Muhammad bin Tughlaq could fail if his execution was poor.
Teacher's Tip: Spies were called 'Munhiyans' during Alauddin's time.
Exam Tip: Always provide the correction for False statements as it often carries extra marks.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences:

Question 1: Under what circumstances did Alauddin ascend the throne of Delhi?
Answer: Alauddin captured the throne of Delhi by killing his uncle Jalaluddin Khilji. As the situation at that time was very worse because Jalaluddin was very mild and pious person which led to lawlessness and revolts. Alauddin took advantage of the situation and ascended the throne.
Alauddin believed that kingship knows no kinship, meaning power was more important than family. His ruthless climb to power set the tone for his strict and efficient rule.
Teacher's Tip: Use the word "usurped" to describe how he took the throne.
Exam Tip: Mention "Jalaluddin Khilji" as the person he replaced.

Question 2: How did Alauddin Khilji win over the rebellious nobles after capturing the throne?
Answer: Alauddin Khilji won over the nobles to his side by bribing them with rich gifts. He used the vast wealth he had looted from the Deccan to buy the loyalty of the powerful lords. Later, once his position was secure, he took away their extra wealth and placed them under strict control.
Teacher's Tip: He used "Gold" to stop "Grumbling" among the nobles.
Exam Tip: Focus on the use of "gifts and wealth" for this specific question.

Question 3: Name the capital of Mewar.
Answer: Chittor the capital of Mewar.
This city was famous for its massive hilltop fort which was considered nearly impossible to conquer. Alauddin's victory here was a major event in Rajput history.
Teacher's Tip: Chittor is often associated with Rajput pride and bravery.
Exam Tip: Mewar and Chittor always go together in this chapter.

Question 4: What did the Rajput women in the royal palace do when Alauddin Khilji captured Chittor?
Answer: The women performed jauhar and burnt themselves to death.
This act was done to protect their honor and avoid being captured by the enemy forces. It involved jumping into a large funeral pyre while the men went out to fight their final battle.
Teacher's Tip: Jauhar was a collective sacrifice performed by Rajput women.
Exam Tip: Use the term "Jauhar" as it is the specific historical term for this act.

Question 5: Who led Alauddin’s Deccan campaigns?
Answer: The Deccan expeditions were led by Malik Kafur.
He was a very talented general who brought back unbelievable amounts of gold and precious stones from the southern kingdoms. These riches helped fund Alauddin's massive army and public works.
Teacher's Tip: Malik Kafur was Alauddin's most trusted military leader.
Exam Tip: Mention that he was a "slave general" to show deeper understanding.

Question 6: Why do modern historians reject the account of a mass exodus from Delhi to Daulatabad?
Answer: Modem historians, however, do not accept the account of a mass exodus. According to them, Delhi was never depopulated because there is evidence to prove that construction work was carried out in Delhi during the period of transfer.
Recent studies suggest that while many officials and elite citizens moved, common people likely stayed behind. If the whole city had left, there would be no evidence of continuing life and work in Delhi during those two years.
Teacher's Tip: "Mass exodus" means everyone leaving a place at once.
Exam Tip: Mention "construction work in Delhi" as the main evidence historians use.

Question 7: Mention any one economic reform introduced in the Doab region by Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
Answer: Land taxes were reduced in the Doab. All loans given during the famine were cancelled. Many taxes were abolished.
Firoz Shah realized that the farmers were suffering from the heavy taxes placed by the previous Sultan. By cancelling their debts and lowering taxes, he helped restore agriculture in the region.
Teacher's Tip: Firoz Shah was the "Healing Sultan" after Muhammad's harsh reign.
Exam Tip: Focus on the "cancellation of famine loans" as a key reform.

Question 8: Give one example to show that Firoze Shah was concerned about the welfare of his poor subjects.
Answer: Free hospitals were set up for the poor.
He established many charities and employment bureaus to help those who were struggling. He believed that the Sultan's duty was to look after the health and well-being of his people.
Teacher's Tip: Firoze Shah established Dar-ul-shifa (hospitals) for everyone.
Exam Tip: Use the term "public welfare" to describe Firoz Shah's policies.

F. Answer the following questions briefly:

Question 1: With reference to the following conquests, briefly explain how Alauddin extended the boundaries of the – Delhi Sultanate: (a) Conquest of Gujarat (b) Conquest of the Rajput states.
Answer: (a) Conquest of Gujarat: Alauddin extended the boundaries of the Delhi Sultanate by sending an expedition to Gujarat which was conquered and annexed.
(b) Conquest of the Rajput states: Alauddin first captured the fort of Ranthambore and then attacked Chittor, the capital of Mewar. The Rajputs fought bravely but lost the battle. This was followed by the capture of the important cities of Mandu, Ujjain, Dhar and Chanderi in Malwa. By 1305 CE, Alauddin become the master of the whole of North India.
Gujarat was important because of its sea-ports and trade, which brought more wealth to the treasury. Conquering the Rajput states removed the biggest internal threat to his power in Northern India.
Teacher's Tip: Northern India was conquered first, then the South.
Exam Tip: List the names of the Malwa cities Mandu, Ujjain, Dhar, and Chanderi for extra points.

Question 2: Give an account of Alauddin Khilji’s (a) Deccan conquest and (b) Deccan policy.
Answer: (a) Deccan conquest: Alauddin was the first Muslim ruler to send an expedition to the Deccan. This expedition was led by Malik Kafur, who defeated the rulers of Devagiri Warangal and Dwarasamudra and attacked and plundered Madurai in the far South. Thus Alauddin become the first Turkish ruler to extend his influence, south of the Vindhyas.
(b) Deccan policy: Alauddin did not annex the Deccan after conquering it because he realized that it would not be easy to control these provinces from Delhi. Moreover his main objective in conquering it was to acquire as much wealth as possible from the South to pay for the maintenance of his huge army. Alauddin forced the rulers of Deccan to acknowledge his supremacy and pay heavy annual charges as a mark of submission to his over-lordship.
Unlike his northern policy, he allowed the southern kings to keep their thrones as long as they paid him money. This was a smart policy as it provided wealth without the headache of managing far-away lands.
Teacher's Tip: His policy was "Wealth without Annexation".
Exam Tip: Mention "Malik Kafur" as the general who led these expeditions.

Question 3: How did Alauddin protect the Delhi Sultanate from repeated Mongol invasions?
Answer: Alauddin took following steps to protect his empire from the Mongols invasions:
1. The forts along the route of Mongols-attacks were repaired and the frontier provinces were placed under the best generals.
2. The army was reorganized and strengthened.
3. Mongol leaders were captured and trampled under the feet of elephants.
4. The Mongols who after embracing Islam settled down in Delhi during Jalaluddin’s reign were mercilessly killed.
He also built a massive wall around the city of Delhi and a new capital at Siri for military defense. His ruthless treatment of captured Mongols served as a terrifying warning to future invaders.
Teacher's Tip: Alauddin was the only Sultan who successfully stopped the Mongol wave.
Exam Tip: Mention the "repairing of frontier forts" as a key defensive strategy.

Question 4: Why is Muhammad bin Tughlaq regarded as one of the most accomplished and learned scholars of his times?
Answer: Muhammad bin Tughlaq is regarded as one of the most accomplished and learned scholars of his times due to his intellectual curiosity and thrust for getting more knowledge. He was gifted with an extraordinary memory. He was a master in logic, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy and physical sciences. He was a lover of Persian literature and poetry, calligraphy, fine arts and music. He loved the company of learned men.
He was not just a king but a scientist and a philosopher who enjoyed debating complex ideas with scholars. Unfortunately, his academic brilliance did not always translate into good governing skills.
Teacher's Tip: He was a "Polymath" - a person who knows many different subjects.
Exam Tip: List at least three subjects he mastered, such as logic, math, and astronomy.

Question 5: Discuss the causes and results of the taxation scheme of Muhammad bin Tughlaq in the Doab.
Answer: Muhammad bin Tughlaq realized the importance of a strong and powerful army to strengthen and secure the position of the ruler. To increase military resources, he needed additional revenue. The Ganga-Yamuna Doab (the area between the Ganga and the Yamuna rivers) was a fertile region. The land tax in this area was increased. Unfortunately, the rains failed and a severe famine broke out. People refused to pay the enhanced taxes. But the tax collectors showed no mercy and continued to collect the taxes with such rigour that the peasants were ruined. To escape the tyranny of the tax collectors, the peasants abandoned their lands and fled to the jungles.
This project backfired because the Sultan timed it poorly during a natural disaster. Instead of getting more money, he destroyed the agriculture of his most fertile region and lost the trust of the farmers.
Teacher's Tip: "Doab" is the fertile land between two rivers.
Exam Tip: Mention that peasants "fled to the jungles" to show the severity of the situation.

Question 6: Why was the capital transferred from Delhi to Daulatabad? Explain the consequences of this project.
Answer: The transfer of the capital from Delhi to Devagiri (renamed Daulatabad) in the Deccan. Two major reasons prompted the sultan to take the decision.
1. Central location: With the expansion of the Delhi Sultanate into the Deccan, Devagiri was centrally located and nearly equidistant from Delhi and other important places.
2. Mongol invasions: Repeated Mongol attacks posed a great threat to Delhi. Daulatabad was at a safe distance from the invaders.
3. Consequences: In the absence of the sultan, Delhi was now exposed to renewed attacks by the Mongols. Realizing his folly, Muhammad bin Tughlaq shifted his capital back to Delhi after 2 years. The people were ordered to return. The suffering and mental agony caused great resentment. The experiment was a dismal failure. It had drained the treasury and reduced the grand and prosperous capital of Delhi to a mere shadow of its former self. Daulatabad, a monument of misdirected energy, became a deserted city.
This was perhaps his most famous failure because he forced the entire population of Delhi to move, not just the government. The massive loss of life and wealth during the return journey significantly weakened the Sultanate.
Teacher's Tip: This move is why he is often called a "mad" or "eccentric" king.
Exam Tip: Mention "equidistant" to explain his logic for choosing Devagiri.

Question 7: What arrangements did Muhammad bin Tughlaq make to achieve his ambition of a world empire? Why did his scheme fail?
Answer: Muhammad bin Tughlaq dreamt of establishing a world empire. For this he decided to conquer Khurasan, Persia and Iraq. He mobilized a huge army for it and equipped it and paid one full year’s salary in advance. But later he realized that it was not easy to send such a large army across the snowy Himalayan passes. So this scheme failed and it even drained the wealth of the Royal treasury.
He wasted a massive amount of money on an army that never even went to war. The difficult geography of the Himalayas made his dream of a Central Asian empire impossible to achieve.
Teacher's Tip: He was a dreamer who forgot to check the map and the weather!
Exam Tip: Highlight the "one full year's salary paid in advance" as a major economic mistake.

Question 8: What was the condition of the Delhi Sultanate at the end of Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign?
Answer: The condition of the Delhi Sultanate was in a state of decay and disintegration after twenty five year of reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
Rebellions had broken out in almost every part of the empire, and the Deccan region had become independent. The glory and power that the Khaljis had built were almost completely gone.
Teacher's Tip: "Disintegration" means the empire was falling apart into smaller pieces.
Exam Tip: Use the term "state of decay" to describe the end of his rule.

Question 9: To what would you attribute the failure of Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s schemes – personal character or prevailing conditions? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer: Both personal character and prevailing conditions were responsible for the failure of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. In personal side he lacked practical sense and was not able to predict things whereas on other side, conditions prevailing were also not favourable. People were backward and did not respond to new ideas and radical reforms.
His character made him too stubborn to listen to advice, while his subjects were not ready for such modern changes as token currency. It was a combination of an unlucky ruler and an unready society.
Teacher's Tip: He was a man born in the "wrong century".
Exam Tip: Mention that he lacked "practical sense" as a key personal flaw.

Question 10: What evidence do we have to prove that Alauddin was a patron of art and learning?
Answer: Alauddin was a patron of art and learning which can be seen clear from the large and beautiful monuments built during his reign. There were many learned scholars and poet in his court, Amir Khusrau, the famous Persian poet was one of them. The Alai Darwaza is one of the most beautiful architecture of that time. He also built many beautiful palaces and mosques. The Siri Fort and the Palace of Thousand Pillars are good examples of it.
His patronage of Amir Khusrau, who is called the 'Parrot of India', shows his love for high-quality literature. The Alai Darwaza remains a masterpiece that shows how advanced the building techniques were during his time.
Teacher's Tip: Patron = Someone who gives financial support to artists.
Exam Tip: Name specific buildings like "Alai Darwaza" and "Siri Fort" as evidence.

G Picture study:

This is a picture of the most beautiful specimen of Khilji architecture, which was added as an entrance to the Qutb complex in Delhi.

Question 1: Identify the monument.
Answer: Alai Darwaja.
It is a magnificent gateway built with red sandstone and decorated with white marble. It is located right next to the Qutub Minar in Delhi.
Teacher's Tip: 'Alai' comes from 'Alauddin' and 'Darwaza' means 'Door'.
Exam Tip: Ensure you spell "Alai Darwaja" correctly.

Question 2: During whose reign was it built?
Answer: Alauddin Khilji.
He intended it to be one of four grand gateways to the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, though only this one was completed. It shows the peak of Islamic architectural style in India during that period.
Teacher's Tip: Remember him as the great conqueror and the great builder.
Exam Tip: Always mention the dynasty name (Khalji) along with the Sultan's name.

Question 3: With reference to the reign of this ruler, mention two important features of each of the following: (a) Reorganization of the army (b) Revenue reforms (c) Market control policy
Answer: (a) Alauddin was the first Sultan of Delhi to lay the foundation of a permanent standing army. The size of the standing army was greatly enlarged. Alauddin introduced the system of branding horses and maintaining a descriptive roll of the soldiers. Spies were kept in every unit of the army.
(b) Alauddin introduced certain revenue reforms. The land was measured and the share of the state was fixed. Special revenue officials were appointed to collect the taxes.
(c) Alauddin set up three markets at Delhi – one for food grains, the second for cloth and the third for horses, slaves and cattle. Each market was under the control of an officer called Shahna.
1. The prices of all commodities were fixed and prices of essential items were kept low.
2. Market officers were appointed to keep a strict watch on the prices, weights and the activities of the traders.
3. Anyone caught hoarding goods or cheating customers in price or weight was severely punished.
4. State warehouses were set up and stocked with food grains.
These combined reforms made him the most powerful Sultan of Delhi, as he had total control over his military and the economy. By fixing prices and ensuring supply, he prevented famines and ensured that his people remained loyal and fed.
Teacher's Tip: Remember the three separate markets - Food, Cloth, and Animals.
Exam Tip: Use the specific name 'Shahna' for the market officer to get full marks in the market control section.