Delhi Sultanate Batch 1 Slave_Dynasty Competitive Exams
50 questions · Pakistan Studies
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Question 1 of 50
Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, who overthrew Aram Shah and became Sultan in 1211, was related to Qutb-ud-din Aibak as his:
ExplanationIltutmish was himself originally a Turkic slave who rose in Aibak's service, later marrying Aibak's daughter before being invited by Delhi's nobles to take the throne after Aram Shah.
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Question 2 of 50
The Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, adjoining the Qutub Minar and among the earliest mosques built in Delhi by the Sultanate, was commissioned by:
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Question 3 of 50
Balban's severe policy of crushing rebels, robbers, and disorder (notably in the Mewat/Doab region) is often summarized by historians as his:
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Question 4 of 50
The famous Sufi saint Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, whose shrine lies in Mehrauli, Delhi, belonged to which Sufi order?
ExplanationHe was a prominent disciple and spiritual successor (khalifa) of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, founder of the Chishti Order in the subcontinent.
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Question 5 of 50
Who briefly succeeded Qutb-ud-din Aibak before being deposed by the Delhi nobility?
ExplanationAram Shah is traditionally described as Aibak's son, though a number of historians dispute this hereditary claim, suggesting he may instead have been put forward by the nobility as a stop-gap ruler rather than being Aibak's legitimate biological heir — this point remains historically uncertain.
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Question 6 of 50
Who founded the Delhi Sultanate in 1206 AD, effectively beginning what is known as the Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty?
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Question 7 of 50
How did Qutb-ud-din Aibak die in 1210 AD?
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Question 8 of 50
To maintain surveillance over his nobles and officials across the Sultanate, Balban strengthened a system of intelligence officers known as:
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Question 9 of 50
Balban's theory of kingship rested heavily on the concept of:
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Question 10 of 50
In 1229, Iltutmish received a formal letter of investiture (manshur) legitimizing his rule from:
ExplanationThis recognition from the Abbasid Caliph in Baghdad granted Iltutmish's rule formal religious and political legitimacy in the eyes of the wider Muslim world.
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Question 11 of 50
Iltutmish's own tomb, built during his lifetime near the Qutub complex, is historically notable as:
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Question 12 of 50
Following Raziyya's death, the Delhi Sultanate passed through several short and relatively weak reigns (Bahram Shah, Masud Shah, Nasiruddin Mahmud) before power was effectively exercised by a powerful regent/Naib holding the title:
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Question 13 of 50
In the years immediately following the founding of the Delhi Sultanate, Iltutmish had to overcome rival claimants to authority in the Indus region, most notably:
ExplanationBoth Qabacha and Yildoz were former associates of Muhammad Ghori who separately claimed authority over parts of the former Ghurid territories; Iltutmish defeated both to secure his position.
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Question 14 of 50
Qutb-ud-din Aibak was originally:
ExplanationAibak was purchased as a slave in his youth (traditionally in Nishapur) and rose through Muhammad Ghori's service to become a trusted general, eventually founding the Delhi Sultanate.
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Question 15 of 50
Which monument, begun by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, was completed by Iltutmish?
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Question 16 of 50
From which city did Qutb-ud-din Aibak primarily rule as Sultan?
ExplanationAibak ruled chiefly from Lahore; it was under his successor Iltutmish that Delhi was firmly established as the capital and seat of the Sultanate.
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Question 17 of 50
Balban died in:
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Question 18 of 50
Iltutmish successfully avoided a Mongol invasion of Delhi by:
ExplanationBy declining to shelter Mangbarni (who was fleeing the Mongols after the Khwarazmian Empire's collapse), Iltutmish avoided giving Genghis Khan a pretext to invade Delhi territory.
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Question 19 of 50
Raziyya Sultana was ultimately deposed and, after an unsuccessful attempt to regain the throne with the support of her husband Malik Altunia, was killed in 1240 near:
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Question 20 of 50
A central feature of Balban's reign was his systematic effort to break the power of:
ExplanationBalban, having himself once been a member of the Chahalgani, worked deliberately to eliminate their collective influence once he became Sultan, centralizing power around the throne.
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Question 21 of 50
During the Slave Dynasty period, the primary architectural style that emerged combined Islamic building forms with:
ExplanationEarly Delhi Sultanate architecture, such as the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque and Qutub Minar, was built substantially using local craftsmen and repurposed material from earlier temples, blending Islamic architectural forms with indigenous artisanship.
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Question 22 of 50
Balban's son, Prince Muhammad (known as 'Khan-i-Shahid,' the 'Martyr Prince'), was killed in 1285 fighting against:
ExplanationPrince Muhammad, governor of Multan/Punjab and a noted patron of learning, died defending the frontier against a Mongol incursion in 1285.
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Question 23 of 50
Balban's other son, Bughra Khan, chose to remain as governor of which province rather than succeed his father as Sultan of Delhi?
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Question 24 of 50
Before becoming Sultan in 1266, Ghiyas-ud-din Balban held the powerful office of Naib (regent/deputy), commonly under the title:
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Question 25 of 50
Where was Qutb-ud-din Aibak buried after his death?
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Question 26 of 50
The Slave Dynasty formally came to an end in 1290 when power was seized by:
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Question 27 of 50
Which of the following correctly lists the general (commonly cited) order of succession within the Slave Dynasty from its founding to Balban's accession?
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Question 28 of 50
The construction of the Qutub Minar was begun by Qutb-ud-din Aibak. In whose honour was the tower most commonly said to have been named?
ExplanationThis point is genuinely debated among historians: some sources say the tower was named after Aibak himself, but it is most commonly attributed in competitive-exam sources to the Chishti Sufi saint Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, whose shrine lies nearby in Mehrauli. Candidates should note both attributions exist in the sources.
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Question 29 of 50
The Slave Dynasty period is generally dated from:
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Question 30 of 50
Iltutmish organized the administrative and revenue system of the Sultanate around which land-assignment mechanism?
ExplanationUnder the Iqta system, land revenue assignments (iqtas) were granted to nobles and officers in lieu of salary, in exchange for military and administrative service.
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Question 31 of 50
Minhaj-us-Siraj, an important contemporary historian of the early Delhi Sultanate period, is best known for authoring:
ExplanationMinhaj-us-Siraj dedicated his chronicle, 'Tabaqat-i-Nasiri,' to Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud; it remains a valuable primary source for the period, including early Mongol incursions.
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Question 32 of 50
Qutb-ud-din Aibak was popularly known by which title, reflecting his reputation for generosity?
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Question 33 of 50
Which celebrated Persian poet was closely associated with the court of Balban's son Prince Muhammad at Multan, and was present (narrowly escaping capture) during the Mongol attack in which the prince was killed?
ExplanationAmir Khusrau, later famed as the 'Parrot of India' and court poet under the Khilji and early Tughlaq Sultans, began his career under the patronage of Balban's son Prince Muhammad.
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Question 34 of 50
Raziyya Sultana, who reigned from 1236 to 1240, holds which distinction in the history of the subcontinent?
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Question 35 of 50
Overall, historians regard the Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty's chief historical significance as:
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Question 36 of 50
The Slave Dynasty is also commonly referred to by historians by which alternative name, reflecting the Central Asian Turkish tribal origin of several of its key rulers (including Iltutmish)?
ExplanationIltutmish and several other prominent rulers/nobles of this dynasty belonged to the Ilbari Turkish tribe, giving rise to the alternative name 'Ilbari Dynasty'; 'Mamluk' (meaning 'owned'/'slave') reflects that several rulers, including Aibak and Iltutmish, began as slaves.
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Question 37 of 50
Which standardized coinage did Iltutmish introduce, forming the basis of Delhi Sultanate currency for a long period?
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Question 38 of 50
Which title best describes Balban's approach to court discipline, in contrast to the informality of some earlier Turkish rulers?
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Question 39 of 50
Iltutmish organized a powerful group of about forty loyal Turkish nobles/slaves who came to dominate Sultanate politics for decades. This group is known as:
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Question 40 of 50
Which ruler is generally regarded by historians as the true consolidator/founder of a stable Delhi Sultanate, firmly establishing Delhi as its capital?
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Question 41 of 50
Kaiqubad built a new palace/city near the Yamuna river as a pleasure retreat, reflecting the decline of the strict discipline Balban had earlier imposed. This was known as:
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Question 42 of 50
Since Bughra Khan preferred to remain in Bengal, Balban ultimately designated which relative as his successor?
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Question 43 of 50
Raziyya Sultana faced significant opposition from the Turkish nobility (Chahalgani) partly because she:
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Question 44 of 50
Iltutmish nominated which child as his successor, bypassing his surviving sons on grounds of competence?
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Question 45 of 50
Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud (reigned c. 1246-1266), during whose reign Balban rose to power as regent, was noted by contemporary chroniclers for his:
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Question 46 of 50
The Sultan Ghari, generally regarded as the earliest Islamic mausoleum built in Delhi, was constructed by Iltutmish in memory of:
ExplanationThis Nasiruddin Mahmud (Iltutmish's son) should not be confused with the later, weaker Sultan of the same name who reigned in the 1240s-60s.
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Question 47 of 50
Ghiyas-ud-din Balban formally ascended the throne of Delhi as Sultan in:
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Question 48 of 50
Raziyya Sultana's ability to govern was reportedly first demonstrated to her father Iltutmish when she competently managed state affairs during:
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Question 49 of 50
Kaiqubad, who succeeded Balban as Sultan, is chiefly remembered in Sultanate history for:
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Question 50 of 50
To reinforce the dignity and authority of the throne, Balban introduced Persian royal court ceremonials, including:
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