Medieval and Islamic History

Emperor Jahangir installed the 'Zanjir-i-Adl' (Chain of Justice) at the Agra Fort to allow subjects to seek justice directly from the king. It was a golden chain with 60 bells that could be pulled by anyone seeking a royal hearing.

Ajmer was founded in the late 11th or early 12th century by Raja Ajaypal Chauhan (also known as Ajayadeva). The city served as a strategic capital for the Chauhan dynasty before the capital shifted to Delhi.

The Udaygiri and Khandagiri Caves in Odisha were carved out during the reign of King Kharavela (Karavelu) of the Mahameghavahana dynasty. These caves served as residential quarters for Jain monks and contain the famous Hathigumpha inscription.

Qutubuddin Aibak founded the Slave Dynasty (also known as the Mamluk Dynasty) in 1206. He was a general of Muhammad Ghori and became the first Sultan of Delhi. Iltutmish was his successor who consolidated the empire, but Aibak is credited with its establishment.

Islam was founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE in the Arabian Peninsula.

Abu Bakr was the first Caliph of Islam, succeeding the Prophet Muhammad as the leader of the Muslim community.

Muhammad bin Tughlaq earned the epithet 'wisest fool' due to his brilliant ideas that failed in execution. His schemes like shifting the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and introducing token currency showed vision but poor practical planning, causing immense suffering. The title reflects his reputation for being learned yet making disastrous administrative decisions.

Qutb-ud-din Aibek built the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque in Delhi to commemorate his victory over Prithviraj Chauhan and capture of Delhi. This mosque, begun in 1193, was the first Islamic monument in India and stands within the Qutub Minar complex. It symbolized the establishment of Muslim rule in northern India.

Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi was written by Ziauddin Barani, a 14th-century court historian during Muhammad bin Tughlaq's reign, though dedicated to Firoz Shah Tughlaq. It covers the history of the Delhi Sultanate from Balban to Firoz Shah Tughlaq and is a crucial primary source for medieval Indian history.

The Second Battle of Tarain (1192) between Muhammad Ghori and Prithviraj Chauhan was a decisive moment in Indian history. Ghori, having been defeated by Prithviraj in the First Battle of Tarain (1191), returned with a stronger army and cavalry tactics, defeating and killing Prithviraj. This victory opened northern India to Islamic conquest and established the Delhi Sultanate.

 Option (4) is correct.

Ibn Battuta visited India during Muhammad bin Tughlaq's reign (1325-1351), arriving in 1333. He spent about eight years in the subcontinent, serving as a qadi (judge) in the Sultanate court. His travelogue 'Rihla' provides valuable insights into 14th-century India under Tughlaq rule, describing administration, society, and the Sultan's ambitious schemes.

Option (3) is correct.

Jahangir ordered the execution of Guru Arjan Dev (not 'Singh') in 1606, making him the first Sikh martyr. The Guru was arrested for refusing to remove a verse from the Guru Granth Sahib that Jahangir found objectionable and for allegedly supporting Prince Khusrau's rebellion against Jahangir. He was tortured and made to sit on a hot iron plate, marking the beginning of Mughal-Sikh conflicts.

Qutubuddin Aibak started the construction of the Qutub Minar in 1193.