Medieval Indian History

Futuhat-i-Firoz Shahi is an account associated with Firoz Shah Tughlaq. Remember Tughlaq period sources by name.

The Sharqi dynasty was associated with the Jaunpur kingdom. The pair of regional kingdoms and dynasties is useful in exams.

Persian was the main language of administration and court in the Delhi Sultanate. Language based questions in medieval administration are directly asked.

Qutbuddin Aibak was Muhammad Ghori's general and later strengthened power in Delhi. Remember the link between Ghori and Aibak for exams.

Iltutmish followed a cautious policy against the Mongols. His diplomacy was important for the Sultanate's security.

Razia faced opposition from Turkish nobles. The nobles played a very influential role in Sultanate politics.

The correct answer is Balban. Nasiruddin Mahmud ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1246 to 1266, but he was regarded as a comparatively weak and religious-minded ruler. Ghiyasuddin Balban, who served as his naib, or deputy, gradually became the most powerful person in the administration and effectively controlled state affairs. Balban later succeeded Nasiruddin Mahmud as Sultan in 1266. Qutbuddin Aibak belonged to an earlier period, Razia ruled before Nasiruddin, and Alauddin Khalji belonged to the later Khalji dynasty. Therefore, option A correctly identifies the holder of real power.

The governing concept is the succession of dynasties in the Delhi Sultanate. Jalaluddin Khalji became the first ruler of the Khalji dynasty in 1290, after the decline of the Mamluk or Slave dynasty. His accession marked a change in the composition of the ruling nobility and began a new phase in Sultanate history. He ruled until 1296, when Alauddin Khalji succeeded him. The Tughlaq dynasty came after the Khaljis, while the Lodi dynasty ruled much later. The Slave dynasty preceded Jalaluddin’s accession and therefore cannot be the answer. Thus, option D is historically correct because Jalaluddin founded and inaugurated Khalji rule in Delhi.

The Mongol threat was serious during Alauddin Khalji's reign. Frontier security remained important in his military policy.

Siri city is associated with Alauddin Khalji. Remember medieval cities of Delhi with their rulers.

Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq founded the Tughlaq dynasty. The sequence of Delhi Sultanate dynasties is important in exams.

Firoz Shah Tughlaq brought Ashokan pillars to Delhi. This fact is linked with preservation of ancient monuments.

The muhtasib was an officer linked with market and moral supervision. Remember administrative posts with their functions.

The governing concept is medieval revenue administration. Kharaj was a land-revenue term used in the Islamic and Delhi Sultanate administrative context. It generally referred to a tax imposed on cultivated land or on the agricultural produce obtained from it. Revenue of this kind helped finance the army, court, public administration and other expenses of the state. The exact rate and method of collection could vary under different rulers and in different regions, but its standard school-level meaning is land tax or land revenue. A military rank is an official position, court music is a cultural activity, and shipbuilding is a craft; none explains kharaj. Therefore, option A is correct.

Amir-i-Koh was related to agricultural expansion and cultivation reform. Study it with Tughlaq period agricultural policy.

In the Battle of Chanderi Babur defeated Medini Rai. Remember Babur's battles with his opponents.

The direct answer is A: Humayun-nama. Gulbadan Begum, the daughter of Babur and sister of Humayun, wrote this important historical memoir in Persian. It contains information about Humayun’s life, the Mughal royal family, journeys, relationships, and court experiences. Option A is correct. Option B, Akbarnama, was written by Abul Fazl about Akbar’s reign. Option C, Padshahnama, is associated with accounts of Shah Jahan’s reign and different authors, not Gulbadan Begum. Option D, Maasir-i-Alamgiri, describes the reign of Aurangzeb and was written much later by another author. Memory cue: Gulbadan and Humayun belong together—Gulbadan wrote Humayun-nama.

Sher Shah built sarais along roads which helped travellers and the postal system. This is a good example of administrative reform.

Patta recorded the farmer's land and payable revenue. Remember revenue terms with their meanings.

Akbar formed marriage and political alliances with Rajputs. This was an important part of his imperial policy.

The governing concept is the role of intellectuals and cultural figures in Akbar’s court. Shaikh Abu al-Faiz, popularly known as Faizi, was a distinguished Persian poet, scholar and literary figure associated with the Mughal emperor Akbar. He was counted among the eminent personalities connected with Akbar’s court and is commonly included in the list of the Navratnas. His work included poetry and participation in literary and translation activities. He was not primarily a military trainer, naval engineer or fort-repair specialist. Those options describe unrelated occupations and do not fit his historical identity. Consequently, option C, literature and poetry, is the only suitable answer.

Raja Man Singh was a major Rajput commander of Akbar. Rajput cooperation was important in Akbar's administration.

The Ilahi era was a new calendar experiment introduced by Akbar. Link it with Akbar's administrative and ideological policies.

Nur Jahan's father Ghiyas Beg received the title Itmad-ud-Daulah. Remember Mughal titles with persons.

Aurangzeb won the struggle among Shah Jahan's sons. The Mughal war of succession is an important topic of medieval history.