Mahmud Ghaznavi’s repeated invasions of India were driven mainly by his ambition to build a strong empire in Central Asia. Ghazni lacked the wealth needed to support a powerful army, so he targeted India’s rich temples and thriving cities. The gold, jewels, and other treasures he carried back financRead more
Mahmud Ghaznavi’s repeated invasions of India were driven mainly by his ambition to build a strong empire in Central Asia. Ghazni lacked the wealth needed to support a powerful army, so he targeted India’s rich temples and thriving cities. The gold, jewels, and other treasures he carried back financed new buildings, improved administration, and strengthened his military. Mahmud focused on quick raids rather than ruling Indian territories permanently. His campaigns also helped him gain prestige in the Islamic world as a defender of the faith, though economic motives remained central. These invasions changed regional politics and weakened many North Indian kingdoms.
ANSWER:
(D) Obtaining funds to establish a large empire in Central Asia
Alberuni came to India during Mahmud Ghaznavi’s time and spent years studying Indian society with curiosity and respect. Unlike other medieval writers, he learned Sanskrit to understand Indian scientific and religious texts directly. His book Kitab-ul-Hind describes India’s geography, mathematics, aRead more
Alberuni came to India during Mahmud Ghaznavi’s time and spent years studying Indian society with curiosity and respect. Unlike other medieval writers, he learned Sanskrit to understand Indian scientific and religious texts directly. His book Kitab-ul-Hind describes India’s geography, mathematics, astronomy, social customs, caste system, and religious beliefs. Alberuni often compared Indian knowledge with Greek, Persian, and Islamic traditions, making his work highly analytical. He admired India’s intellectual achievements but also pointed out social issues like rigid caste divisions. His writing remains one of the most reliable historical sources for understanding early medieval India from an outsider’s perspective.
Persian became the court language of the Delhi Sultanate because the ruling elites, administrators, and scholars were trained in Persian traditions. This language brought with it a rich literary and cultural heritage from Iran and Central Asia. Persian was used in royal decrees, legal documents, hisRead more
Persian became the court language of the Delhi Sultanate because the ruling elites, administrators, and scholars were trained in Persian traditions. This language brought with it a rich literary and cultural heritage from Iran and Central Asia. Persian was used in royal decrees, legal documents, historical chronicles, and poetry. As Persian interacted with local Indian languages, especially Hindi and Prakrit dialects, it helped create early forms of Urdu. Many famous works, such as Tabaqat-i-Nasiri and Tarikh-i-Firozshahi, were written in Persian. The language also influenced architecture, music, clothing, and etiquette, shaping Indo-Persian culture that continued even after the Sultanate.
Sikandar Lodi founded Agra in 1504 because its location near the Yamuna River made it ideal for trade, agriculture, and military movement. He built forts, roads, gardens, and mosques that helped Agra grow into a major administrative centre. Sikandar shifted much of his court’s activities to Agra, inRead more
Sikandar Lodi founded Agra in 1504 because its location near the Yamuna River made it ideal for trade, agriculture, and military movement. He built forts, roads, gardens, and mosques that helped Agra grow into a major administrative centre. Sikandar shifted much of his court’s activities to Agra, increasing its population and importance. When the Mughals arrived, they immediately recognized Agra’s strategic value and expanded it further. Babur captured Agra in 1526 after the First Battle of Panipat, and his successors, especially Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan, transformed the city into one of the grandest capitals in medieval India.
Qutbuddin Aibak, founder of the Slave Dynasty, enjoyed sports such as Chaugan, a fast and dangerous form of polo. In 1210, while playing the game at Lahore, his horse suddenly fell, causing fatal injuries. Medieval chronicles mention that Aibak was known for his generosity, earning him the title “LaRead more
Qutbuddin Aibak, founder of the Slave Dynasty, enjoyed sports such as Chaugan, a fast and dangerous form of polo. In 1210, while playing the game at Lahore, his horse suddenly fell, causing fatal injuries. Medieval chronicles mention that Aibak was known for his generosity, earning him the title “Lakh-Baksh,” meaning giver of lakhs. His unexpected death created political instability because his son Aram Shah lacked leadership qualities. As a result, the nobles quickly supported Iltutmish, who later became one of the strongest rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. Aibak’s tomb in Lahore remains an important historical site related to early Sultanate history.
What was the purpose of Mahmud Ghaznavi’s invasion of India?
Mahmud Ghaznavi’s repeated invasions of India were driven mainly by his ambition to build a strong empire in Central Asia. Ghazni lacked the wealth needed to support a powerful army, so he targeted India’s rich temples and thriving cities. The gold, jewels, and other treasures he carried back financRead more
Mahmud Ghaznavi’s repeated invasions of India were driven mainly by his ambition to build a strong empire in Central Asia. Ghazni lacked the wealth needed to support a powerful army, so he targeted India’s rich temples and thriving cities. The gold, jewels, and other treasures he carried back financed new buildings, improved administration, and strengthened his military. Mahmud focused on quick raids rather than ruling Indian territories permanently. His campaigns also helped him gain prestige in the Islamic world as a defender of the faith, though economic motives remained central. These invasions changed regional politics and weakened many North Indian kingdoms.
ANSWER:
(D) Obtaining funds to establish a large empire in Central Asia
See lessThe scholar Alberuni, who came to India during Mahmud Ghaznavi’s invasion of India, wrote which important text?
Alberuni came to India during Mahmud Ghaznavi’s time and spent years studying Indian society with curiosity and respect. Unlike other medieval writers, he learned Sanskrit to understand Indian scientific and religious texts directly. His book Kitab-ul-Hind describes India’s geography, mathematics, aRead more
Alberuni came to India during Mahmud Ghaznavi’s time and spent years studying Indian society with curiosity and respect. Unlike other medieval writers, he learned Sanskrit to understand Indian scientific and religious texts directly. His book Kitab-ul-Hind describes India’s geography, mathematics, astronomy, social customs, caste system, and religious beliefs. Alberuni often compared Indian knowledge with Greek, Persian, and Islamic traditions, making his work highly analytical. He admired India’s intellectual achievements but also pointed out social issues like rigid caste divisions. His writing remains one of the most reliable historical sources for understanding early medieval India from an outsider’s perspective.
See lessWhat was the court language of the Sultanate?
Persian became the court language of the Delhi Sultanate because the ruling elites, administrators, and scholars were trained in Persian traditions. This language brought with it a rich literary and cultural heritage from Iran and Central Asia. Persian was used in royal decrees, legal documents, hisRead more
Persian became the court language of the Delhi Sultanate because the ruling elites, administrators, and scholars were trained in Persian traditions. This language brought with it a rich literary and cultural heritage from Iran and Central Asia. Persian was used in royal decrees, legal documents, historical chronicles, and poetry. As Persian interacted with local Indian languages, especially Hindi and Prakrit dialects, it helped create early forms of Urdu. Many famous works, such as Tabaqat-i-Nasiri and Tarikh-i-Firozshahi, were written in Persian. The language also influenced architecture, music, clothing, and etiquette, shaping Indo-Persian culture that continued even after the Sultanate.
See lessWho founded the city of Agra?
Sikandar Lodi founded Agra in 1504 because its location near the Yamuna River made it ideal for trade, agriculture, and military movement. He built forts, roads, gardens, and mosques that helped Agra grow into a major administrative centre. Sikandar shifted much of his court’s activities to Agra, inRead more
Sikandar Lodi founded Agra in 1504 because its location near the Yamuna River made it ideal for trade, agriculture, and military movement. He built forts, roads, gardens, and mosques that helped Agra grow into a major administrative centre. Sikandar shifted much of his court’s activities to Agra, increasing its population and importance. When the Mughals arrived, they immediately recognized Agra’s strategic value and expanded it further. Babur captured Agra in 1526 after the First Battle of Panipat, and his successors, especially Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan, transformed the city into one of the grandest capitals in medieval India.
See lessWhich of the following was the Sultan of Delhi who died while playing “Chaugan” (polo)?
Qutbuddin Aibak, founder of the Slave Dynasty, enjoyed sports such as Chaugan, a fast and dangerous form of polo. In 1210, while playing the game at Lahore, his horse suddenly fell, causing fatal injuries. Medieval chronicles mention that Aibak was known for his generosity, earning him the title “LaRead more
Qutbuddin Aibak, founder of the Slave Dynasty, enjoyed sports such as Chaugan, a fast and dangerous form of polo. In 1210, while playing the game at Lahore, his horse suddenly fell, causing fatal injuries. Medieval chronicles mention that Aibak was known for his generosity, earning him the title “Lakh-Baksh,” meaning giver of lakhs. His unexpected death created political instability because his son Aram Shah lacked leadership qualities. As a result, the nobles quickly supported Iltutmish, who later became one of the strongest rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. Aibak’s tomb in Lahore remains an important historical site related to early Sultanate history.
See less