Medieval and Islamic History

Amil was the administrative head of a Paragana in the Delhi Sultanate. The Paragana was the basic fiscal and administrative unit, and the Amil was responsible for revenue collection and maintaining law and order in that jurisdiction. Shiqdar was the head of a Shiq (district), Barid was an intelligence officer, and Ariz was the head of the military department.

Bahadur Shah Zafar was the last Mughal emperor. Similarly, Ibrahim Lodi was the last ruler of the Lodi dynasty, who was defeated at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.

Muhammad bin Tughlaq was known for his contradictory and often impractical policies - he would conceive brilliant schemes but fail in implementation. He earned the nickname 'mixture of opposites' from historians like Barani and Ibn Battuta for actions like shifting the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and back, and introducing token currency without proper safeguards.

Mohammed-bin-Kasim invaded Sindh in 712 CE, making him the first Muslim invader of India. He was sent by the Umayyad Caliph Al-Hajjaj bin Yusuf to attack King Dahir of Sindh, marking the beginning of Islamic rule in the Indian subcontinent.

Babar wrote the Baburnama in Chagatai Turkic, his autobiography detailing his life, conquests, and observations of India. It is considered one of the finest autobiographies in the Islamic world and a valuable historical source.

The Ashta Pradhan (Council of Eight Ministers) was the administrative council of the Maratha Empire under Chhatrapati Shivaji. It included ministers like the Peshwa (Prime Minister), Senapati (Commander), and others, creating an efficient administrative system for governance.

Alauddin Khilji (1296-1316) implemented a strict market control system, including price controls on essential commodities and rationing. He established granaries to stabilize food prices and regulated market prices to ensure soldiers and citizens could afford basics. The system was administered by special officials called 'Shahna' and was remarkably effective during his reign.

Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan, known as Rahim, was one of the nine gems (Navaratnas) in Akbar's court and a renowned poet. Birbal was also a courtier but primarily known for his wit and wisdom. Tulsidas wrote Ramcharitmanas but lived later. Bairam Khan was Akbar's guardian and regent, not primarily known as a poet.

The Iqtadari system (also called Iqta system) was introduced by Iltutmish in the Delhi Sultanate. Under this system, land revenues from assigned territories were given to officials in lieu of salaries. Balban consolidated it, Aibak was the first Sultan, and Alauddin Khilji later reformed the system significantly.

Abu Bakr (573-634 CE) was the first Caliph, succeeding Prophet Muhammad as leader of the Muslim community in 632 CE. He ruled for two years until his death, establishing the Rashidun Caliphate.

Tulsidas composed the Ramcharitmanas between 1574 and 1576 CE. This corresponds to the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar (1556-1605 CE). The epic was written in Awadhi dialect.

Nadir Shah invaded Delhi in 1739 during the reign of Muhammad Shah (who ruled from 1719 to 1748). This invasion led to the famous Peacock Throne being taken to Persia and the massacre of Delhi's citizens. Muhammad Shah was known as 'Rangeela' (the Colorful One) and was the Mughal Emperor when this devastating invasion occurred.

Tipu Sultan (1750-1799), the ruler of Mysore, was called the "Tiger of Mysore" for his fierce resistance against British colonial expansion. He adopted the tiger as his personal emblem - his throne had tiger heads, and his soldiers wore uniforms with tiger stripes. Babar, Akbar, and Jehangir were Mughal emperors, not associated with this title or region.

Option (3) is correct.

Faizi (also known as Shaikh Abu'l-Faiz ibn Mubarak) was appointed as the malik-ush-shu'ara (king of poets) in Akbar's court and was one of the navratnas (nine jewels). He composed Persian poetry and also wrote the official history of Akbar's reign, the Tarikh-i-Faizi.