Delhi Sultanate: Miscellaneous Archives

1. Which traveller described the postal system prevalent in India in the

Which traveller described the postal system prevalent in India in the medieval period in detail ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Abdur Razzaq” option2=”Ibn Battuta” option3=”Pelsaert” option4=”Bernier” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020

Ibn Battuta, in his travelogue Rihla, provided a detailed description of the postal system prevalent in India during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq.

He described two types of postal systems: the horse post (uluq) which was faster and used horses stationed at intervals, and the foot post (dawa) which used runners.

While other travelers like Abdur Razzaq, Pelsaert (Dutch, Mughal period), and Bernier (French, Mughal period) also wrote about India, Ibn Battuta’s account is particularly renowned for its detailed description of the Sultanate’s administrative systems, including the postal network.

2. Who wrote the book of travels called Rihla ?

Who wrote the book of travels called Rihla ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Ibn Battuta” option2=”Al-Biruni” option3=”Shaikh Ali Hazin” option4=”Abdur Razzaq” correct=”option1″]

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UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020

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The book of travels known as Rihla was written by Ibn Battuta. Ibn Battuta was a Moroccan traveler who visited India during the reign of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq in the 14th century.

Rihla, meaning “The Journey,” is a detailed account of Ibn Battuta’s extensive travels covering much of the Islamic world, including his significant stay in the Delhi Sultanate.

Al-Biruni wrote Kitab-ul-Hind. Shaikh Ali Hazin was a later period Persian poet and traveler. Abdur Razzaq visited the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century and wrote Matla’ al-sa’dayn wa majma’ al-bahrayn, which contains his observations.

3. With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as “

With reference to Indian history, who of the following were known as “Kulah-Daran” ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Arab merchants” option2=”Qalandars” option3=”Persian calligraphists” option4=”Sayyids” correct=”option4″]

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UPSC IAS – 2022

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The correct option is D. The term “Kulah-Daran” was used to refer to the Sayyids.

“Kulah-Daran” literally means “Cap-wearers”. This term was applied to the Sayyids during the Delhi Sultanate period because they wore a distinctive high, pointed cap as a symbol of their lineage. They claimed descent from Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and Ali.

The Sayyids held positions of influence during the Delhi Sultanate, and a specific dynasty, the Sayyid dynasty (1414-1451), ruled Delhi for a period. Their distinctive attire helped distinguish them.

4. With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements :

With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements :

1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
2. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
3. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2″ option2=”2 only” option3=”1 and 3″ option4=”3 only” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2022

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The correct option is B, as only statement 2 is correct.

Statement 1 is incorrect. The first significant Mongol invasion of India occurred during the reign of Iltutmish when Jalal-ud-din Mangburni of Khwarazm sought refuge in India, leading to Mongol forces under Genghis Khan appearing on the Indus. The Khalji dynasty came later.
Statement 2 is correct. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, the Delhi Sultanate faced multiple Mongol invasions. A notable invasion led by Targhi in 1303 reached the gates of Delhi and besieged the city, forcing Ala-ud-din to take refuge in the Siri fort.
Statement 3 is incorrect. While Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq did face Mongol invasions (e.g., by Tarmashirin), historical accounts suggest he often adopted policies like paying tribute or using diplomacy to repel them, rather than permanently losing significant portions of his core kingdom in the north-west *to* the Mongols as a result of these invasions. Control over frontier regions was often contested, but a sustained loss of territory to the Mongols during his reign is not a commonly accepted historical fact in the way implied by the statement.

The Mongol threat was a major challenge for the Delhi Sultanate rulers, particularly the Mamluks, Khaljis, and Tughlaqs. Ala-ud-din Khalji implemented extensive military and administrative reforms to counter the Mongol invasions effectively.

5. Consider the following statements : 1. It was during the reign of I

Consider the following statements :

1. It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chenghiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince.
2. It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus.
3. It was during the reign of Deva Raya II of Vijayanagara Empire that Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1 and 2″ option3=”3 only” option4=”2 and 3″ correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2021

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Only statement 1 is correct.

Statement 1 is correct: Chenghiz Khan did reach the banks of the Indus River in 1221 AD while pursuing the Khwarezmian prince Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu. This event occurred during the reign of Iltutmish (1211-1236 AD) in the Delhi Sultanate.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Timur invaded India and sacked Delhi in 1398 AD. At that time, the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate was Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah Tughluq (1394-1413 AD), the last ruler of the Tughluq dynasty, not Muhammad bin Tughluq (1324-1351 AD).
Statement 3 is incorrect: Vasco da Gama reached Calicut, on the coast of Kerala, in 1498 AD. Deva Raya II reigned the Vijayanagara Empire from 1422 to 1446 AD. The ruler of Vijayanagara around 1498 AD was Immadi Narasimha Nayaka or Vira Narasimha Raya.

Iltutmish’s decision to refuse asylum to Jalal ad-Din is considered a wise diplomatic move that saved the nascent Delhi Sultanate from a potential Mongol invasion. Timur’s invasion marked the end of the Tughluq dynasty’s effective rule over northern India. Vasco da Gama’s arrival marked the beginning of European sea trade with India and paved the way for colonial rule.

6. With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/are the es

With reference to Indian history, which of the following is/are the essential element/elements of the feudal system?

1. A very strong centralized political authority and a very weak provincial or local political authority
2. Emergence of administrative structure based on control and possession of land
3. Creation of lord-vassal relationship between the feudal lord and his overlord

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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Statement 1 is incorrect. Feudalism, whether in the European context or as applied to Indian history (the concept of ‘Indian feudalism’ is debated but used by many historians), is characterized by political decentralization and a *weak* central authority, with power dispersed among regional lords. A very strong centralized authority is antithetical to the concept of feudalism.
Statement 2 is correct. A core element of feudalism is the intertwining of administrative power and landholding. Power structures emerge based on the control and possession of land, often granted by rulers in exchange for service (military, administrative).
Statement 3 is correct. The creation of a hierarchical relationship between a feudal lord and his vassal (or between different levels of lords, including an overlord) is a defining feature of the feudal system. This relationship involves mutual obligations, often centered around land grants and military service.
Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are considered essential elements of the feudal system as debated and described in the context of Indian history by scholars like R.S. Sharma.

– Feudalism involves political decentralization and weak central power.
– Control over land forms the basis of political and administrative power.
– Hierarchical relationships (lord-vassal) based on grants and obligations are characteristic.

The concept of ‘Indian Feudalism’ was prominently put forward by historian R.S. Sharma, who argued for the emergence of this system from the Gupta period onwards, marked by land grants to Brahmins, temples, and later to officials and military personnel, leading to the rise of intermediaries and decentralized polities. Other historians have debated the applicability of the term ‘feudalism’ to the Indian context, suggesting terms like ‘segmentary state’ or ‘integrated polity’.

7. Which one of the following texts is a commentary written by Chakrapani

Which one of the following texts is a commentary written by Chakrapanidatta (11 Century CE from Bengal) on the Sushrut Samhita ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Sabdachandrika” option2=”Bhanumati” option3=”Nitiratnakara” option4=”Lohasarvasava” correct=”option2″]

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UPSC NDA-1 – 2024

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Chakrapanidatta was a prominent physician and scholar from Bengal in the 11th century CE. He is known for his significant contributions to Ayurveda through commentaries and independent works. He wrote a commentary on the Charaka Samhita titled ‘Ayur-veda-dipika’ and a commentary on the Sushruta Samhita titled ‘Bhanumati’. He also authored the ‘Chakradatta’ (or Chikitsa-Samgraha), a comprehensive work on therapeutics.

– Chakrapanidatta was an 11th-century physician from Bengal.
– He wrote commentaries on key Ayurvedic texts.
– His commentary on Sushruta Samhita is called Bhanumati.
– His commentary on Charaka Samhita is called Ayur-veda-dipika.

Other options are either unrelated or associated with different authors/subjects. Sabdachandrika is a Sanskrit dictionary by Varadaraja. Nitiratnakara is a text on polity/ethics. Lohasarvasava is a medicinal preparation (Arishta/Asava) mentioned in Ayurvedic texts, not a commentary title.

8. The 13th Century text Lekhapaddhati gives us information on which one

The 13th Century text Lekhapaddhati gives us information on which one of the following topics?

[amp_mcq option1=”Art of writing” option2=”Essay writing” option3=”Legal document” option4=”Epigraphic style” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC NDA-1 – 2022

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The 13th Century text Lekhapaddhati gives us information on Legal documents.

Lekhapaddhati is a medieval Sanskrit and Prakrit text originating from Gujarat. It is a collection of model documents, including various types of legal deeds, administrative orders, land grants, agreements, and private letters. It served as a practical guide for drafting documents and provides valuable insights into the administrative, legal, and socio-economic conditions of the period.

The text is a unique source for understanding the formulation and structure of official and private documents in medieval Western India. Its content covers practical aspects of daily life, governance, and transactions, offering more than just information on the ‘art of writing’ or ‘epigraphic style’. It’s fundamentally a manual for legal and administrative drafting.

9. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List I (Traveller)
P. Seydi Ali Reis
Q. Ibn Battuta
R. Peter Mundy
S. Duarte Barbosa

List II (Country)
1. Morocco
2. Turkey
3. Portugal
4. England

Code :

	P	Q	R	S
(a)	2	1	4	3
(b)	3	4	1	2
(c)	3	1	4	2
(d)	2	4	1	3

[amp_mcq option1=”(a) 2 1 4 3″ option2=”(b) 3 4 1 2″ option3=”(c) 3 1 4 2″ option4=”(d) 2 4 1 3″ correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2024

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Correct Answer: A

– Seydi Ali Reis was an Ottoman Turkish admiral and traveler known for his travelogue “Mirat ul Memalik” (The Mirror of Countries), which includes descriptions of his journeys through India in the 16th century.
– Ibn Battuta was a famous Moroccan traveler who visited many parts of the world in the 14th century, including India during the Delhi Sultanate period under Muhammad bin Tughluq.
– Peter Mundy was an English traveler and merchant who visited India during the reign of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century.
– Duarte Barbosa was a Portuguese writer and explorer who travelled in South Asia in the early 16th century and wrote about his observations in the Book of Duarte Barbosa.

These travelers provide valuable historical accounts of the regions and periods they visited, offering insights into societies, cultures, trade, and political conditions from an external perspective. Their writings are significant primary sources for historical studies.

10. Consider the following statements about cavalry warfare in India : 1

Consider the following statements about cavalry warfare in India :

1. The iron stirrup made it possible for the armoured warrior to sit firmly on a horse without falling off.
2. The iron stirrup also allowed a cavalry charge with lances held tightly to the body, without the rider being thrown off by the shock of impact.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CDS-2 – 2022

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Both statements are correct regarding the impact of the iron stirrup on cavalry warfare. The introduction of the iron stirrup provided unprecedented stability to the rider, allowing them to sit firmly on the horse even during rapid movements or impacts. It enabled riders to use weapons like lances much more effectively, transferring the force of the blow through the rider’s legs braced in the stirrups, thus delivering a powerful impact without being dislodged.

– The stirrup fundamentally changed cavalry tactics, allowing for shock combat by enabling riders to withstand the impact of charges.
– Before the stirrup, cavalry primarily relied on javelins, bows, or swords used in skirmishing or slashing attacks, as delivering a powerful thrust with a lance was difficult without being unseated.

The development and spread of the stirrup is considered one of the most significant technological advancements in the history of warfare, particularly influencing the rise of heavy cavalry and feudal societies in medieval Europe and contributing to the success of various steppe empires. The exact origin of the stirrup is debated, but it is believed to have originated in Asia.