Delhi Sultanate MCQ & Notes — Dynasties, Rulers and Administration

Delhi Sultanate MCQ & Notes — Dynasties, Rulers and Administration

Delhi Sultanate MCQ questions appear regularly in UPSC Prelims, SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, Railways and State PSC exams as part of Medieval Indian History. The Sultanate ruled large parts of the Indian subcontinent from 1206 to 1526 CE across five dynasties. This guide covers all five dynasties, key rulers, administrative institutions and architecture in exam-ready notes, followed by 10 practice MCQs with answers.

What Was the Delhi Sultanate?

The Delhi Sultanate refers to the series of Muslim dynasties that ruled from Delhi after Qutb-ud-din Aibak, a former general of Muhammad of Ghor, established an independent kingdom in 1206 CE. It lasted until 1526 CE, when Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat and founded the Mughal Empire. Over three centuries, five dynasties held the Delhi throne in succession.

The Five Dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate

1. Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty (1206–1290)

Founded by Qutb-ud-din Aibak. Iltutmish consolidated the Sultanate, introduced the silver tanka and copper jital, and organised the Iqta system. Razia Sultan (1236–1240) was the only woman to rule the Delhi Sultanate. Ghiyasuddin Balban strengthened royal authority through the theory of kingship and crushed the nobility (the "Forty" or Chalisa).

2. Khilji Dynasty (1290–1320)

Founded by Jalaluddin Khilji. Alauddin Khilji was the most powerful ruler — he expanded into the Deccan (defeating Devagiri, Warangal, and Dwarasamudra), introduced market control regulations (Diwan-i-Riyasat), and successfully repelled repeated Mongol invasions.

3. Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414)

Founded by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq. Muhammad bin Tughlaq is remembered for ambitious but poorly executed projects: shifting the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad, and introducing token currency (copper coins). Firoz Shah Tughlaq built canals, cities (Firozabad, Hisar) and reduced harsh punishments.

4. Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451)

Founded by Khizr Khan, who ruled as a nominal representative of Timur. This was a period of weak, declining central authority.

5. Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526)

Founded by Bahlul Lodi, the first Afghan dynasty to rule the Sultanate. Sikandar Lodi founded Agra. Ibrahim Lodi, the last ruler, was defeated by Babur at the First Battle of Panipat (1526), ending the Delhi Sultanate.

Administrative System of the Delhi Sultanate

Department/Term	Function
Diwan-i-Wizarat	Finance department, headed by the Wazir
Diwan-i-Arz	Military department, headed by Ariz-i-Mumalik
Diwan-i-Insha	State correspondence and records
Diwan-i-Risalat	Religious affairs and appeals
Iqta	Land revenue assignment given to nobles in lieu of salary
Kharaj	Land tax on cultivators
Tanka / Jital	Silver and copper coins introduced by Iltutmish

Architecture and Culture Under the Delhi Sultanate

• Qutub Minar — begun by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, completed by Iltutmish.
• Alai Darwaza — built by Alauddin Khilji, an early example of true arch-and-dome construction in India.
• Growth of the Indo-Islamic architectural style, blending Persian and indigenous techniques.
• Development of Sufism (Chishti and Suhrawardi orders) alongside the Bhakti movement, fostering syncretic religious traditions.

Why Is the Delhi Sultanate Important for Competitive Exams?

The period marks the transition from ancient to medieval Indian polity — the introduction of centralised administration, a monetised economy, new architectural forms, and cultural synthesis — making it a high-yield topic across UPSC, SSC, Railways and State PSC history sections.

Delhi Sultanate MCQ — Practice Questions

Q1. Who founded the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Muhammad Ghori B. Qutb-ud-din Aibak C. Iltutmish D. Balban
Answer: B. Qutb-ud-din Aibak

Q2. Who was the only woman ruler of the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Chand Bibi B. Razia Sultan C. Begum Hazrat Mahal D. Nur Jahan
Answer: B. Razia Sultan

Q3. Which ruler introduced the silver tanka and copper jital?
A. Qutb-ud-din Aibak B. Iltutmish C. Alauddin Khilji D. Balban
Answer: B. Iltutmish

Q4. Alauddin Khilji's market control regulations were aimed primarily at:
A. Controlling prices for his army and administration B. Promoting foreign trade C. Taxing Hindu merchants D. Abolishing the Iqta system
Answer: A. Controlling prices for his army and administration

Q5. Who shifted the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad?
A. Firoz Shah Tughlaq B. Muhammad bin Tughlaq C. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq D. Alauddin Khilji
Answer: B. Muhammad bin Tughlaq

Q6. The Delhi Sultanate ended after which battle?
A. Battle of Talikota B. First Battle of Panipat C. Battle of Khanwa D. Second Battle of Tarain
Answer: B. First Battle of Panipat

Q7. Which dynasty was the first Afghan dynasty to rule the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Khilji B. Tughlaq C. Sayyid D. Lodi
Answer: D. Lodi

Q8. The Diwan-i-Arz was the department of:
A. Finance B. Military affairs C. Religious affairs D. Correspondence
Answer: B. Military affairs

Q9. The Qutub Minar was completed by:
A. Qutb-ud-din Aibak B. Iltutmish C. Alauddin Khilji D. Balban
Answer: B. Iltutmish

Q10. Who was the last ruler of the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Sikandar Lodi B. Bahlul Lodi C. Ibrahim Lodi D. Khizr Khan
Answer: C. Ibrahim Lodi

Practice More on Delhi Sultanate

Test your understanding with the free Delhi Sultanate quiz on FreePrep, covering all five dynasties, rulers and administration in exam format. Also try today's free daily quiz for a mix of current affairs and history questions.