History & Civics
With reference to the Delhi Sultanate, answer the following questions to understand its historical significance and contributions:
(a) How did disunity among Indian kings pave the way for the Turks to establish their rule?
(b) Why was the Delhi Sultanate significant in medieval Indian history?
(c) Name the five dynasties that ruled the Delhi Sultanate and their respective time periods.
Answer
(a) During the 10th and 11th centuries, North India saw the emergence of many small kingdom and due to the absence of a strong central government, these kingdoms were often in conflict with one another, leading to a lack of political unity. This disunity paved the way for the Turks to achieve swift victories during their conquests in the 11th and 12th centuries. By the 13th century CE, their empire was firmly established.
(b) The Delhi Sultanate ruled much of present-day India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh for over 300 years. The rulers of the five dynasties, known as Sultans, governed from Delhi, which served as their capital and gave this period its name. This perios saw the rise of many important reforms in most parts of India, that were united under the Delhi Sultanate.
(c) The Delhi Sultanate (1206—1526) was ruled by five successive dynasties :
- The Slave Dynasty (1206—1290)
- The Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320)
- The Tughlaq Dynasty (1320—1414)
- The Sayyid Dynasty (1414—1451)
- The Lodi Dynasty (1451—1526)
Related Questions
Describe the revenue reforms of Alauddin Khilji.
Read the following excerpt and answer the questions that follow:
"Since Alauddin wanted to maintain a large army, he therefore, lowered and fixed the price of the commodities of daily use. To control the prices, Alauddin set up three different markets for different commodities in Delhi. These markets were the grain market (Mandi), cloth market (Sarai Adl) and the market for horses, slaves, cattles, etc."
(Source: https://www.nios.ac.in/media/documents/SrSec315NEW/315HistoryEng/315HistoryEng_Lesson9.pdf)
(a) What measures did Alauddin Khalji take to control markets and prices?
(b) Why was the establishment of Shahana-i-Mandi significant for market regulation?
(c) How did Alauddin Khalji ensure the availability of essential commodities to the people?
With reference to Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq, answer the following:
(a) Give three reasons why Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq is known as the "Wise Fool".
(b) Why did the angry peasants refuse to obey on taxation in Doab?
(c) Why did the Sultan decide to transfer his capital from Delhi to Devagiri in the south?
Analyse the administrative structure of the Delhi Sultanate by addressing the following aspects:
(a) The role and powers of the Sultan in governance.
(b) The organisation and functions of the Central Government.
(c) Land Revenue System