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Mughal Era Delhi Sultanate MCQs
High-yield multiple choice questions asked in previous years (UPSC, SSC CGL, JKSSB, RRB & State PSCs).
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The Delhi Sultanate (1206 - 1526 CE)
- • Five Dynasties in Chronological Order: (1) Slave / Mamluk (1206-1290 - Qutb-ud-din Aibak, Iltutmish, Razia Sultan, Balban), (2) Khalji (1290-1320 - Jalaluddin, Alauddin Khalji), (3) Tughlaq (1320-1414 - Ghiyasuddin, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Firoz Shah Tughlaq), (4) Sayyid (1414-1451 - Khizr Khan), (5) Lodi (1451-1526 - Bahlul, Sikandar, Ibrahim Lodi).
- • Key Administrative Reforms: Iltutmish introduced the Silver Tanka and Copper Jital, established the Turkan-i-Chahalgani (Group of 40), and organized the Iqta system. Alauddin Khalji introduced market control regulations, price fixing, Daag (branding horses) and Chehra (descriptive rolls).
- • Muhammad bin Tughlaq's Projects: Capital transfer to Daulatabad (1327), Token currency of bronze/copper coins, Khurasan expedition, and Qarachil expedition.
The Mughal Empire (1526 - 1857 CE)
- • Founding & Early Battles: First Battle of Panipat (April 21, 1526 - Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi using Tulughma tactics and artillery); Battle of Khanwa (1527 - Babur defeated Rana Sanga).
- • Akbar the Great (1556-1605): Second Battle of Panipat (1556 - Bairam Khan defeated Hemu); Mansabdari System (Zat ranking personal status, Sawar ranking military cavalry obligation); Dahsala / Bandobast revenue system engineered by Raja Todar Mal; Sulh-i-Kul (universal peace) and Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri; Din-i-Ilahi (1582).
- • Later Mughals & Architecture: Jahangir (patron of naturalistic painting, chain of justice - Zanjir-i-Adl); Shah Jahan (Golden age of Mughal architecture - Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Jama Masjid); Aurangzeb (re-imposed Jizya in 1679, annexed Bijapur 1686 and Golconda 1687).
| Ruler / Era | Key Battle / Year | Major System / Landmark | Historical Title / Concept |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babur | 1st Battle of Panipat (1526) | Introduced field artillery to India | Padshah / Tuzuk-i-Baburi |
| Alauddin Khalji | Conquest of Chittor (1303) | Market control, Daag & Chehra | Sikandar-i-Sani (Second Alexander) |
| Akbar | 2nd Battle of Panipat (1556) | Mansabdari & Dahsala (Todar Mal) | Sulh-i-Kul, Din-i-Ilahi |
| Shah Jahan | Reign (1628 - 1658) | Taj Mahal, Red Fort (Delhi), Moti Masjid | Prince Khurram / Engineering Emperor |
| Muhammad bin Tughlaq | Reign (1325 - 1351) | Token currency, Daulatabad capital shift | Man of Ideas / Diwan-i-Kohi (Agri) |
Showing 15 Practice Questions
Q1SSC CGL 2023Easy
The First Battle of Panipat (1526), which laid the foundation of the Mughal Empire in India, was fought between Babur and:
Q2UPSC CSE PrelimsEasy
The revenue settlement system known as 'Zabti' or 'Dahsala system' was formulated for Emperor Akbar by his finance minister:
Q3CDS 2022Easy
Which Sultan of Delhi introduced strict market control regulations, fixed prices for commodities, and the branding of cavalry horses (Daag)?
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Q4JKSSB FAA 2022Easy
The only woman monarch to ascend the throne of the Delhi Sultanate, reigning from 1236 to 1240 CE, was:
Q5JKSSB VLW 2023Easy
Which Sultan of Delhi transferred his royal capital from Delhi to Devagiri (renamed Daulatabad) in 1327 and introduced token bronze/copper currency?
Q6SSC CGL Tier-1Easy
The Mansabdari administrative system, where ranks were defined by 'Zat' (personal status) and 'Sawar' (cavalry troop requirement), was introduced by:
Q7JKPSC KAS PrelimsEasy
Who laid the architectural foundation of the Qutub Minar in Delhi, which was later completed by his successor Shams-ud-din Iltutmish?
Q8NDA 2022Easy
In which historical battle in 1576 did the Mughal army commanded by Raja Man Singh defeat Maharana Pratap of Mewar?
Q9SSC CHSLMedium
Which Mughal Emperor constructed the famous Pearl Mosque (Moti Masjid) inside the Agra Fort complex?
Q10UPSC CSE PrelimsMedium
The silver coin 'Rupiya' and the copper 'Dam', which laid the foundation for the modern Indian currency system, were first introduced by:
Q11JKSSB Sub-InspectorEasy
The traveler and scholar Ibn Battuta, who authored the famous travelogue 'Rihla', visited India during the reign of which Delhi Sultan?
Q12JKSSB Patwari 2024Easy
Which Mughal Emperor re-imposed the discriminatory Jizya tax on non-Muslim subjects in 1679, which had earlier been abolished by Akbar?
Q13CDS 2021Easy
The Grand Trunk Road (Sadak-e-Azam), stretching from Chittagong (Bengal) to Kabul (Afghanistan), was comprehensively renovated and paved by:
Q14SSC CGLMedium
Amir Khusrau, known as 'Tuti-e-Hind' (Parrot of India) and credited with inventing the Sitar and Qawwali, was a court poet to which Sultan?
Q15UPSC CSE PrelimsMedium
The 'Ibadat Khana' (House of Worship), built by Emperor Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri in 1575, was established to:
Frequently Asked Questions (Mughal Era Delhi Sultanate)
Q: What military tactics did Babur use to win the First Battle of Panipat in 1526?
Babur utilized the Ottoman 'Rumi' device (tying wooden carts together with rawhide ropes to protect gunpowder matchlock musketeers) combined with the 'Tulughma' tactical flanking maneuver, dividing his army into forward, left, right, and center divisions to encircle and annihilate Ibrahim Lodi's forces.
Q: What was the Mansabdari system introduced by Mughal Emperor Akbar?
The Mansabdari system was a unified civil-cum-military administrative hierarchy established by Akbar in 1571. Every officer held a dual rank: 'Zat' (determining personal status, protocol rank, and salary) and 'Sawar' (specifying the exact number of cavalry horsemen the officer was required to maintain for imperial service).
Q: Who was the only female sovereign monarch to rule the Delhi Sultanate?
Razia Sultan, the daughter of Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, ruled as the Sultan of Delhi from 1236 to 1240 CE, defying conservative orthodox clergy by appearing unveiled in royal durbar and leading troops into battle.
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