1. Mahmud Ghaznavi issued silver coins with Sanskrit inscriptions to build legitimacy among the people of India after his invasions. Sanskrit was the dominant cultural and religious language of the region, so including it on coins helped connect with Hindu elites, traders and administrators. These coinRead more

    Mahmud Ghaznavi issued silver coins with Sanskrit inscriptions to build legitimacy among the people of India after his invasions. Sanskrit was the dominant cultural and religious language of the region, so including it on coins helped connect with Hindu elites, traders and administrators. These coins displayed his titles and sometimes blended Persian and Sanskrit features. The move demonstrated his attempt to adapt to Indian governance systems and foster economic stability through recognizable currency. This initiative also reflects early examples of cultural and administrative compromise by foreign rulers in India.

    ANSWER: (A) Mahmud Ghaznavi

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  2. During the Delhi Sultanate, a well-structured monetary system existed and Jetal and Tanka were two significant currencies. Jetal was mainly a copper coin used by common people for small and daily market transactions. Tanka, on the other hand, was a silver coin used for major commercial exchanges, miRead more

    During the Delhi Sultanate, a well-structured monetary system existed and Jetal and Tanka were two significant currencies. Jetal was mainly a copper coin used by common people for small and daily market transactions. Tanka, on the other hand, was a silver coin used for major commercial exchanges, military payments and administrative purposes. These coins helped unify the vast territories under the Sultanate and supported taxation, trade and financial administration. Their regular use helped strengthen governance, maintain revenue flow and promote economic development across different regions ruled by the Delhi Sultans.

    ANSWER: (D) 2 and 4

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  3. Timur’s invasion of India in 1398 occurred when the Tughlaq dynasty was in deep political and administrative decline. Although Nasiruddin Muhammad Tughlaq was the nominal ruler, effective power was exercised by his father, Mahmud Shah Tughlaq. The internal disintegration of the Sultanate made DelhiRead more

    Timur’s invasion of India in 1398 occurred when the Tughlaq dynasty was in deep political and administrative decline. Although Nasiruddin Muhammad Tughlaq was the nominal ruler, effective power was exercised by his father, Mahmud Shah Tughlaq. The internal disintegration of the Sultanate made Delhi vulnerable. Timur’s forces crossed the Indus, defeated the Tughlaq army near Delhi and committed mass killings. The capital was thoroughly plundered, its population massacred and its economy devastated. This invasion accelerated the collapse of the Tughlaq dynasty and paved the way for the emergence of the Sayyid dynasty. It remains one of the darkest episodes in Delhi’s history.

    ANSWER: (A) Nasruddin Muhammad Tughlaq

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  4. Amir Khusro, a celebrated poet, musician and scholar of the Delhi Sultanate, played a crucial role in developing Khariboli, the dialect that later evolved into Hindi and Urdu. His literary works, including riddles, verses and folk songs, blended Persian aesthetics with local spoken language, enrichiRead more

    Amir Khusro, a celebrated poet, musician and scholar of the Delhi Sultanate, played a crucial role in developing Khariboli, the dialect that later evolved into Hindi and Urdu. His literary works, including riddles, verses and folk songs, blended Persian aesthetics with local spoken language, enriching Khariboli’s vocabulary and structure. Khusro’s Hindavi compositions showcased a unique linguistic fusion that appealed to both elite and common audiences. By popularising the dialect through music and poetry, he helped establish a literary base for future North Indian languages. His contributions mark him as a key cultural architect of Indo-Persian linguistic tradition.

    ANSWER: (B) Khariboli

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  5. Muhammad bin Tughlaq was known for ambitious administrative experiments, one of which was the creation of 'Amir Kohi', a dedicated agricultural department. Its goal was to develop uncultivated lands, particularly those near Delhi and enhance agricultural productivity. The Sultan provided loans (taccRead more

    Muhammad bin Tughlaq was known for ambitious administrative experiments, one of which was the creation of ‘Amir Kohi’, a dedicated agricultural department. Its goal was to develop uncultivated lands, particularly those near Delhi and enhance agricultural productivity. The Sultan provided loans (taccavi) to farmers, seeds, cattle and irrigation support to encourage cultivation. However, the scheme suffered from corruption, poor management and unrealistic expectations. Drought and famine further weakened its effectiveness. Despite its failure, the initiative reflects Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s vision of strengthening the economic foundations of the Sultanate through expanded state-supported agriculture.

    ANSWER: (C) Muhammad bin Tughlaq

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