Delhi Sultanate, Vijayanagar and Bahamani Kingdom
Short Questions
1. Who founded the Slave Dynasty in Delhi?
Answer: Qutubuddin Aibak founded the Slave Dynasty.
2. What was the primary occupation during the Sultanate period?
Answer: Agriculture was the primary occupation.
3. Which Sultan was the first to issue copper coins?
Answer: Muhammad-bin-Tughluq was the first to issue copper coins.
4. Who established the Vijayanagar Empire?
Answer: Harihara and Bukka established the Vijayanagar Empire.
5. What was the capital of the Bahamani Kingdom under Hasan Gangu?
Answer: Gulbarga was the capital of the Bahamani Kingdom.
6. Which pass was crucial for invasions into India?
Answer: The Khyber Pass was crucial for invasions.
7. Who was the first female Sultan of Delhi?
Answer: Razia Sultan was the first female Sultan.
8. What architectural style emerged during the Sultanate period?
Answer: Indo-Islamic architecture emerged during the Sultanate period.
9. Which Sultan built the city of Siri?
Answer: Alauddin Khalji built the city of Siri.
10. What new language emerged in South India during the Sultanate period?
Answer: Urdu emerged in South India.
11. Who defeated Prithviraj Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain?
Answer: Muhammad Ghuri defeated Prithviraj Chauhan.
12. Which industry flourished in centers like Dhaka and Ahmedabad?
Answer: The textile dyeing industry flourished in these centers.
13. Who was the prominent poet in Balban’s court?
Answer: Amir Khusrow was the prominent poet in Balban’s court.
14. What was the standard unit for coin weight during the Sultanate period?
Answer: Tola was the standard unit for coin weight.
15. Which battle marked the end of the Vijayanagar Empire?
Answer: The Battle of Talikota marked the end of the Vijayanagar Empire.
Long Questions
1. Why did the Arab rule fail to expand in India?
Answer: After Muhammad bin Qasim’s conquest of Sindh and Multan in 712 C.E., Arab rule became unstable due to weak centralized control. The lack of sustained political and military support limited their expansion. Subsequent Turkish invasions overshadowed Arab efforts, establishing Islamic rule more effectively.
2. How did the lack of unity among Indian rulers contribute to Turkish success?
Answer: Indian rulers, such as the Chauhans, Pratiharas, and Chandellas, were divided and engaged in constant power struggles. This lack of unity and centralized authority prevented a collective resistance against Turkish invaders. The aggressive war strategies of the Turks further capitalized on this disunity, leading to their victories.
3. What were the reasons behind Alauddin Khalji’s invasions of Devgiri?
Answer: Alauddin Khalji invaded Devgiri in 1296 C.E. to amass wealth and in 1312 C.E. to subdue the Yadavas for stopping tribute payments. The need to fund his large standing army and offset financial strain from market reforms drove these campaigns. Political control over the South was also a key objective.
4. How did the textile industry flourish during the Sultanate period?
Answer: The textile industry thrived in centers like Delhi, Agra, and Banaras, with exports of cotton, muslin, and jari cloth to Iran and China. The growth of dyeing in places like Dhaka and weekly markets boosted internal trade. Amir Khusrow’s description of Dhaka’s fine muslin highlights the industry’s advanced craftsmanship.
5. What was the significance of the Khyber Pass in Indian history?
Answer: The Khyber Pass was a vital trade and invasion route connecting Afghanistan and Pakistan. Invaders like Mahmud Ghazni, Babur, and Alexander used it to enter India, impacting its history. The British later built a railway line to Jamrud, reinforcing its strategic importance.
6. How did Muhammad-bin-Tughluq’s policies lead to his failure?
Answer: Muhammad-bin-Tughluq’s decision to shift the capital to Devgiri and back to Delhi caused logistical issues and unrest. His introduction of copper coins disrupted trade due to poor implementation. These missteps, ignoring ground realities, diminished his prestige and weakened the Sultanate.
7. What contributions did Mahmud Gawan make to the Bahamani Kingdom?
Answer: Mahmud Gawan, as Prime Minister, strengthened the Bahamani Kingdom by paying soldiers fixed salaries and fixing land revenue based on measurement. He established a Madarasa in Bidar, promoting education. His scholarly interest in mathematics and medicine set him apart.
8. How did Indo-Islamic architecture develop during the Sultanate period?
Answer: Indo-Islamic architecture, blending Iranian and Indian styles, began with Qutubuddin Aibak’s Quwwat-i-Islam mosque and Qutub Minar. Alauddin Khalji added structures like Alai Darwaza, while Firoz Shah Tughluq built simpler yet grand forts and canals. This style reflected cultural synthesis and royal patronage.
9. Why did the Vijayanagar Empire pose a challenge to the Delhi Sultanate?
Answer: Founded by Harihara and Bukka, the Vijayanagar Empire expanded significantly under Krishnadevaraya, covering vast southern territories. Its economic prosperity and military strength, as noted by travellers like Nicolo Conti, rivaled the Sultanate’s influence. This posed a political and cultural challenge to Delhi’s dominance.
10. What factors led to the decline of the Bahamani Kingdom?
Answer: After Mahmud Gawan’s death, internal factionalism weakened the Bahamani Kingdom’s unity. Conflicts with Vijayanagar drained its political strength, while provincial governors gained independence. This led to the kingdom’s division into five ruling houses, culminating in its disintegration.
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