History of the Delhi Sultanate: Sultanate Political Structures

Name the five major dynasties that ruled the Delhi Sultanate in chronological order.

Explain the significance of the Iqta system introduced during Iltutmish's reign.

List three major administrative reforms implemented by Alauddin Khalji and briefly explain their purpose.

Describe the circumstances that led to Raziya Sultana's ascension to power and the challenges she faced during her reign.

Answer explanation

Raziya became ruler because her father Iltutmish chose her over her brothers. She faced problems because she was a woman

Compare the military strategies employed by Alauddin Khalji in defending against Mongol invasions with those used by Babur at the First Battle of Panipat. How did technological differences influence their respective successes?

Answer explanation

Alauddin Khalji used traditional cavalry and infantry to fight the Mongols, while Babur used gunpowder weapons like cannons at Panipat. The technology helped Babur win because guns were more powerful than swords.

Analyze the reasons behind Muhammad bin Tughlaq's failed experiments with: a) The transfer of capital to Daulatabad b) The introduction of token currency What does this reveal about the relationship between ambitious reforms and practical governance?

Answer explanation

Muhammad bin Tughlaq moved the capital to Daulatabad because it was in the center, but people didn't like moving there. He made copper coins instead of silver coins, but people made fake coins. This shows that his ideas were too big and didn't work in reality.

Examine the impact of Timur's 1398 invasion on the Delhi Sultanate. How did this event contribute to the political fragmentation that characterized the 15th century?

Answer explanation

Timur invaded Delhi in 1398 and destroyed the city. This made the Delhi Sultanate weak and different regions became independent, causing political problems in the 15th century.

Assess the role of internal weaknesses versus external threats in the decline of the Delhi Sultanate. Which factor was more decisive in its eventual fall to the Mughals? Support your argument with specific examples from at least two different dynasties.

Answer explanation

Internal weaknesses were more important than external threats in the decline of the Delhi Sultanate. For example, Ibrahim Lodi had rebellions from his nobles, and Muhammad bin Tughlaq's bad policies caused problems. These internal issues made it easier for Babur to defeat them.

Design a hypothetical reform program that Ibrahim Lodi could have implemented to prevent the internal rebellions that weakened his position against Babur. Your program should address three key areas of governance and explain how each reform would have strengthened Lodi authority.

Answer explanation

Ibrahim Lodi could have given more power to Afghan nobles to keep them happy, improved the army with better weapons, and reduced taxes to make people support him. These changes would have stopped rebellions and made his rule stronger against Babur.

Read the following passage and answer questions 10-14:

"The Sultan's administrative innovations were revolutionary yet catastrophic. His attempt to centralize revenue collection by demanding cash payments instead of kind disrupted the traditional economic equilibrium. The introduction of token currency, while theoretically sound in an era of silver scarcity, failed spectacularly when 'every house became a mint.' His relocation project, intended to create a strategic administrative center, instead transformed a prosperous metropolis rivaling Baghdad into a ghost town. These experiments, though ambitious, revealed the dangerous gap between theoretical governance and practical implementation." The passage primarily discusses the reign of:

• Alauddin Khalji

• Muhammad bin Tughlaq

• Firoz Shah Tughlaq

• Ibrahim Lodi