Which of the following Delhi Sultans accepted the suzerainty of the Timurid ruler Mirza Shahrukh?
Khizr Khan, founder of the Sayyid Dynasty, accepted the nominal suzerainty of the Timurid ruler Mirza Shahrukh. After Timur’s invasion, Khizr Khan was appointed governor of Delhi and later established his rule but continued to acknowledge the Timurid overlordship. He did not assume the title of Sultan and ruled as a vassal of the Timurids. ANSWER: (C) Khizr Khan Syed
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Khizr Khan Syed, founder of the Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451), came to power after Timur’s devastating invasion of India. Timur appointed him as the governor of Multan and later allowed him to extend his authority over Delhi. Even after establishing his dynasty, Khizr Khan continued to acknowledge the suzerainty of Timur’s successor, Mirza Shahrukh, as a gesture of legitimacy. He refrained from using the royal title “Sultan” and instead ruled as a vassal, sending regular tributes to the Timurid court. His reign marks a period when Delhi’s authority was weak and heavily dependent on external political recognition.