Medieval and Islamic History

The Sultan was the supreme authority in the Delhi Sultanate, holding absolute power over military, civil, judicial, and religious matters. While the Wazir was the most important administrative official, all authority derived from the Sultan who could appoint or dismiss anyone.

Alauddin Khilji adopted the title 'Nasir-i-Amir ul Mominin' (Helper of the Commander of the Faithful), positioning himself as a defender and supporter of the Islamic Caliphate while maintaining practical independence. This title enhanced his religious legitimacy.

Ibn Batuta, the Moroccan traveler who visited India during Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq's reign, famously wrote about the forced migration to Daulatabad. He described how people were compelled to move, including the disabled and disadvantaged, highlighting the human suffering caused by this policy.

Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq belonged to the Turkish ethnic origin, which was the ruling elite of the Delhi Sultanate during most of its history. The Tughlaq dynasty was of Turkish descent, continuing the pattern of Turkic rule in medieval India.

The Lodhi dynasty was of Afghan origin, marking a shift from the previous Turkish-dominated rule of the Delhi Sultanate. The Lodhis were Pathans (Afghans) who established the last dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate before the Mughal conquest.

The revolt of Tughril Khan, the governor of Bengal, occurred during Sultan Balban's reign (1266-1287 CE). Balban personally led a military campaign to suppress this rebellion and reassert Delhi's control over Bengal.

During Muhammad bin Tughlaq's reign (1325-1351), there were Mongol invasions from the Trans-Oxiana region. The Chagatai Mongols launched attacks on the northwestern frontier of the Delhi Sultanate during this period.

Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388 CE) introduced several administrative and economic reforms, including the issuance of two new copper currencies called Addha (half jital) and Bhikh (one-quarter jital) to facilitate small-scale transactions and trade.

Diwan-i-Rasalat was the department of religious affairs and charity in the Delhi Sultanate's administrative structure. It was responsible for managing endowments (waqf), charitable works, and religious matters, serving as an important interface between the state and religious institutions.

Khalisa lands were crown territories directly administered by the Sultan, not assigned as iqta (land grants) to nobles. The Amil, as the Pargana officer, had the authority to collect land revenue from these Khalisa lands within his jurisdiction, ensuring direct flow of revenue to the royal treasury.

According to the 14th-century historian Al Umari, who wrote about the Delhi Sultanate, the Khan (the highest military officer) received a salary of two lakh tankas annually. This was a substantial sum reflecting the importance of the military command. The annual nature of the payment is well-documented in contemporary accounts.

Alauddin Khilji (1296-1316) introduced the cattle tax as part of his comprehensive market and price control reforms. He was known for his innovative though often harsh taxation policies to maximize revenue and control the economy. Other rulers listed did not impose this specific tax, making option B the correct answer.

Iltutmish was the first Muslim ruler to formally declare his kingdom as Darul Islam (abode of Islam), establishing Islamic legal and political structures. He saw the Sultanate as part of the Islamic world, not just a conquered territory.

Feroz Shah Tughlaq made army services hereditary to ensure loyalty and stability. Soldiers' sons would automatically inherit positions, creating a dedicated military class. This was different from earlier recruitment practices.

The Diwan-i-Insha was the minister responsible for drafting and managing all royal correspondence during the Delhi Sultanate period. This department handled official letters, documents, and communications sent on behalf of the Sultan. The Wazir was the prime minister, Mir-i-Bakashi handled military payrolls, and Qazi was the judicial officer.