Medieval Indian History

The Delhi Sultanate is generally considered to have begun in (1206) CE. For exams, connect it with Qutbuddin Aibak.

Qutbuddin Aibak is considered the first ruler of the Delhi Sultanate. For exams, remember him with the Slave dynasty.

Qutub Minar was started by Qutbuddin Aibak. For exams, also connect it with its completion by Iltutmish.

Iltutmish was a powerful ruler of the Slave dynasty. For exams, remember him as a ruler who strengthened the Delhi Sultanate.

Razia Sultan was the first woman Sultan of Delhi. For exams, remember her as the daughter of Iltutmish.

Balban emphasized the prestige of the Sultan and strict discipline. For exams, remember his policy of royal dignity.

Alauddin Khalji was a famous ruler of the Khalji dynasty. For exams, connect him with market control and southern campaigns.

Market control helped control the cost of maintaining the army. For exams, connect it with Alauddin's military policy.

Muhammad bin Tughlaq was a ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty. For exams, connect him with capital transfer and token currency.

Muhammad bin Tughlaq tried to shift the capital to Daulatabad. For exams, remember it among his famous experiments.

Firoz Shah Tughlaq focused on canals and public works. For exams, connect him with construction activities.

The Lodi dynasty was the fifth and final ruling dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. It was founded by Bahlul Lodi in 1451 and included important rulers such as Sikandar Lodi and Ibrahim Lodi. The dynasty ended when Ibrahim Lodi was defeated by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526. That defeat marked the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the beginning of Mughal rule in northern India. Therefore, option D, the Lodi dynasty, is correct. The Slave, Khalji, and Tughlaq dynasties were earlier ruling houses of the Sultanate. They cannot be the answer because each was replaced before the Lodis came to power.

Babur founded the Mughal Empire in India after defeating Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526. Babur was a Central Asian ruler descended from Timur on his father’s side and from Genghis Khan on his mother’s side. His victory gave him control over Delhi and Agra and created the foundation for a new imperial dynasty. Akbar later greatly expanded and consolidated the empire, but he was not its founder. Jahangir and Aurangzeb ruled in later generations. Therefore, option A is correct. The key chronological link is Babur—First Battle of Panipat—1526—beginning of Mughal rule in northern India.

The First Battle of Panipat was fought in (1526) CE. For exams, remember Babur and Ibrahim Lodi together.

Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat. For exams, connect this battle with the beginning of Mughal rule.

Baburnama is Babur's autobiography. For exams, remember it as an important work written in Turkish.

Sher Shah Suri gained power after defeating Humayun. For exams, remember the battles of Chausa and Kannauj.

Sher Shah tried to organize the land revenue system. For exams, also connect him with the rupee and road system.

Akbar was the son of Humayun, the second Mughal emperor. Humayun became emperor after Babur, who founded the Mughal Empire in India. Although Humayun faced defeat and spent years in exile, he recovered Delhi before his death. Akbar then succeeded him in 1556 and became one of the most important Mughal rulers. Therefore, option B is correct.

Babur was Akbar’s grandfather, not his father. Jahangir was Akbar’s son and succeeded him, while Shah Jahan was Akbar’s grandson through Jahangir. Remembering the simple family order—Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan—helps distinguish the options and understand the succession of Mughal rulers.

Bairam Khan played an important role in Akbar's early rule. For exams, connect him with the Second Battle of Panipat.

Sulh-i Kul means peace and tolerance with all. For exams, connect it with Akbar's religious policy.

The direct answer is B, Abul Fazl. Akbarnama is the historical account of Akbar’s reign written by Abul Fazl, one of Akbar’s prominent court scholars and advisers. The work describes Akbar’s ancestry, his rule, important events and the organisation of the empire. Its third part, the Ain-i-Akbari, gives detailed information about administration, revenue, society and the imperial system. A, Amir Khusrau, was a famous poet and historian associated mainly with the Delhi Sultanate, especially the Khalji period, not the author of Akbarnama. C, Badauni, was another historian of Akbar’s time, but he wrote Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh and was often critical of Akbar’s policies. D, Todar Mal, was a revenue administrator, not the author of this chronicle. B is therefore correct. Memory cue: Akbar’s official history—Abul Fazl; revenue reforms—Todar Mal.

Ain-i-Akbari is considered the third part of Akbarnama. For exams, treat it as a source of administrative information.

Raja Todar Mal was especially associated with the organisation of Akbar’s land-revenue administration. He helped develop the dahsala or zabt system, under which land was measured, the quality and productivity of soil were assessed, and the state demand was calculated using average produce and prices over a period of years. This aimed to make revenue collection more systematic and predictable, although its operation varied across regions. Option A is correct. Tansen was famous as a musician, Birbal was a court adviser and wit, and Faizi was a poet and scholar. Their important court roles were different from Todar Mal’s administrative responsibility.

Mughal emperor Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri in the 16th century and made it his capital for a short period. The site is also associated with the Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chishti. Shah Jahan built monuments such as the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort, so he is not the correct answer here. Exam tip: Remember Fatehpur Sikri, Buland Darwaza, and Akbar together.