The correct answer is: c) Malerkotla.
Malerkotla was a Muslim-majority state in the Punjab region of British India. It was founded in 1480 by Sher Shah Suri, a Pashtun ruler who conquered much of northern India. The state was ruled by the Nawabs of Malerkotla until it was annexed by British India in 1809.
Kapurthala, Faridkot, and Bahawalpur were all Hindu-majority states in the Punjab region. Kapurthala was founded in 1753 by Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, a Sikh warrior. Faridkot was founded in 1763 by Pahar Singh Bhatti, a Sikh warrior. Bahawalpur was founded in 1747 by Bahawal Khan I, a Baloch ruler.
Malerkotla was unique among the feudatory states of the Punjab region in having a Muslim-majority population. This was due to the fact that it was founded by a Muslim ruler and that it was located in a region that was predominantly Muslim.