Consider the following statements regarding Alauddin Khalji:
He collected revenue by measuring the cultivated land.
He enforced revenue measures in his entire empire.
He abolished the powers of provincial Governors.
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
Correct Answer:
(D)
All of the above
Statement 1 is correct: Alauddin Khalji did implement a revenue system based on measuring cultivated land. He moved away from the traditional fixed revenue system and instead determined the revenue based on the area of land under cultivation and the produce per biswa (a unit of area). This change was significant because it meant that the revenue burden was more directly tied to the actual land being used for cultivation.
Statement 2 is correct: Alauddin Khalji did enforce revenue measures across his entire empire. He implemented land measurement, fixed state share, and increased the land revenue, which was then collected by appointed officials. He also controlled prices and markets to ensure affordable commodities and maintain a large military.
Statement 3 is correct: Alauddin Khilji significantly reduced the powers of provincial governors and nobles by abolishing the iqta system, which was a form of land assignment where governors had considerable authority. He centralized power by bringing these land assignments under direct control of the central government, limiting the autonomy of regional officials. Alauddin Khilji also established a spy network to monitor the governors and prevent potential revolts.
Ques:
22
Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq issued a new gold coin which was called Dinar by Ibn Battuta.
Reason (R) : Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq wanted to issue token currency in gold coins to promote trade with West Asian and North African countries.
Code:
Correct Answer:
(C)
‘A’ is true but ‘R’ is false.
;
Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq issued the new gold coins which was called ‘Dinar’ by Ibn Battuta. He issued the token currency in copper coins to promote his military power not for trade with the West Asian and the North African countries in token currency of gold. Thus, Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
Ques:
23
Who was the first Sultan of Delhi to participate in the public celebration of Holi ?
Correct Answer:
(B)
Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq
;
Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq was the first among all Sultans of Delhi who participated in public celebrations of Hindus, especially Holi. He also appointed non-Turks and Indian Muslims at higher posts of government due to which Barani harshly criticized him and called him ‘Gardener’, ‘Barber’, ‘Cook’ etc.
Ques:
24
With reference to a ruler of mediaeval India, consider the following statements:
He attempted to shift the capital from Delhi to Devagiri in Maharashtra, which he named Daulatabad.
He introduced Token Currency.
He established a separate department to take care of agriculture.
The above mentioned statements refer to which one of the following rulers?
Correct Answer:
(D)
Muhammad Bin Tughlaq
Muhammad Bin Tughlaq (1324-1351) was a learned, cultured and talented prince but gained a reputation of being merciless, cruel and unjust.
He attempted to shift the capital from Delhi to Devagiri in Maharashtra, which he named Daulatabad. This was after his realisation that it was difficult to rule south India from Delhi. However, the plan failed, and soon Muhammad realised that it was difficult to rule North India from Daulatabad.
The next important experiment of Muhammad was the introduction of token currency. This currency system had already been experimented in China and Iran. For India, this was new and much ahead of time. When Muhammad issued bronze coins, fake coins were minted, which could not be prevented by the government. Due to this the new coins were devalued to such an extent that the government had to withdraw the bronze coins and replace them with silver coins, which depended heavily on the resources of the empire.
The Sultan established a separate department called ‘Diwan-i-Amir Kohi’ to take care of agriculture.
Ques:
25
On the death of which Muslim ruler a historian said ‘the king was freed from his people and they from their king’?
Correct Answer:
(B)
Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq
;
When Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq was in Daulatabad, a revolt took place in Gujarat led by Taghi. Sultan dashed to Gujarat to quell the revolt. Taghi was defeated and fled to Sindh. After restoring peace in Gujarat, Sultan moved to Sindh to kill Taghi. Sultan fell sick on the way and died on March 20, 1351, near Thatta. On his death, Badayuni wrote, ‘’the king was freed from his people and they from their king’.
Ques:
26
Which Sultan introduced new Department “Aamir-e- Kohi”?
Correct Answer:
(C)
Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq
;
Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq had established a new department ‘Diwan-i-Amir-i-Kohil for the development of agriculture. A land of 60 square miles was selected for that purpose. The agrarian reforms had taken place on land, and various crops were cultivated with alteration according to crop rotation.
Ques:
27
Who was the first female ruler of India after the Gupta period?
Correct Answer:
(A)
Razia Sultana
The first female ruler of India after the Gupta period was Razia Sultan, who ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1236 to 1240. She was the only female ruler of Delhi and is considered the first female Muslim ruler of the Indian subcontinent.
Ques:
28
What was the name of the slave who served as the tutor and mentor of Razia Sultan?
Correct Answer:
(A)
Yaqut
Jamal-ud-din Yakut was an Abyssinian slave who rose to become a close confidant and influential figure at the court of Razia Sultan, the first and only female monarch of the Delhi Sultanate. He served as a tutor and mentor to Razia and was highly favored, leading to resentment among some nobles who were already wary of a female ruler. Yakut's influence and close relationship with Razia were a major source of controversy and contributed to the political turmoil that ultimately led to Razia's death.
Ques:
29
What was the name of the rebellion that was launched against Razia Sultana’s rule?
Correct Answer:
(A)
Lewaniya rebellion
The Lewaniya rebellion was a general uprising against the Mamluk dynasty, of which Razia Sultana was the ruler.
Ques:
30
Which author wrote that Razia Sultana's rule went against the ideal social order created by God in which women were supposed to be subordinate to men?
Correct Answer:
(D)
Minhaj-i-Siraj
In 1236 Sultan Iltutmish’s daughter, Raziyya, became Sultan. The chronicler of the age, Minhaj-i Siraj, recognised that she was more able and qualified than all her brothers. But he was not comfortable at having a queen as the ruler. Nor were the nobles happy at her attempts to rule independently. She was removed from the throne in 1240. Minhaj-i Siraj thought that the queen's rule went against the ideal social order created by God, in which women were supposed to be subordinate to men.