Arab and Turkish Invasions MCQ: Balban's Chalisa, Mongol Invasions & the Slave Dynasty's Decline

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Which group was destroyed by Balban to consolidate his power?

   • A.The Mongols
   • B.Turkan-i-Chahalgani✓ Correct Answer
   • C.The Khokhars
   • D.The Rajputs

   Explanation: Balban destroyed 'Turkan-i-Chahalgani' (The Group of Forty), a powerful group of Turkish nobles created by Iltutmish.

2. Q2.Which Sultan took the title of 'Zil-i-Ilahi' (Shadow of God) on Earth?

   • A.Iltutmish
   • B.Balban✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Alauddin Khalji
   • D.Muhammad Tughluq

   Explanation: Balban took the title of 'Zil-i-Ilahi' to emphasize the divine right of kingship.

3. Q3.Which Abyssinian slave was appointed as 'Amir-e-Akhur' by Raziyya Sultan?

   • A.Malik Kafur
   • B.Jamaluddin Yaqut✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Malik Altunia
   • D.Bakhtiyar Kaki

   Explanation: Raziyya appointed an Abyssinian slave, Jamaluddin Yaqut, to the high post of 'Amir-e-Akhur' (Master of Horses).

4. Q4.Who was the first Sultan to issue coins with the name of the Khalifa?

   • A.Qutbuddin Aibak
   • B.Iltutmish✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Balban
   • D.Muhammad Ghori

   Explanation: Iltutmish was the first Sultan who issued coins bearing the name of the Khalifa of Baghdad.

5. Q5.Which Chandela ruler was defeated by Qutbuddin Aibak in 1202 AD?

   • A.Vidyadhar
   • B.Paramardidev✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Yashovarman
   • D.Kirtivarman

   Explanation: In 1202 AD, Qutbuddin Aibak attacked Kalinjar and defeated the Chandela ruler Paramardidev.

6. Q6.What was the original function of the building 'Adhai Din Ka Jhopra'?

   • A.A Palace
   • B.A Sanskrit School✓ Correct Answer
   • C.A Temple
   • D.A Buddhist Monastery

   Explanation: Before being converted into a mosque by Aibak, 'Adhai Din Ka Jhopra' was a Sanskrit school (Saraswati Kanthabharana).

7. Q7.Who was the author of 'Tajul-Maasir'?

   • A.Minhaj-us-Siraj
   • B.Hasan Nizami✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Alberuni
   • D.Utbi

   Explanation: Hasan Nizami was the author of 'Tajul-Maasir', a history of Qutbuddin Aibak's reign.

8. Q8.Where did Raziyya Sultan die?

   • A.Delhi
   • B.Kaithal✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Lahore
   • D.Bhatinda

   Explanation: Raziyya was killed by robbers near Kaithal in 1240 AD.

9. Q9.Who saved the Delhi Sultanate from the Mongol invasion by refusing shelter to Jalaluddin Mingburni?

   • A.Qutbuddin Aibak
   • B.Iltutmish✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Balban
   • D.Nasiruddin Mahmud

   Explanation: Iltutmish saved his empire from the Mongol wrath by refusing to give shelter to the Khwarizm Prince Jalaluddin.

10. Q10.Who established the 'Diwan-e-Arz' separate from the 'Diwan-e-Wizarat'?

    • A.Iltutmish
    • B.Balban✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Alauddin Khalji
    • D.Firoz Shah Tughluq

    Explanation: Balban separated the military department (Diwan-e-Arz) from the finance department (Diwan-e-Wizarat) to strengthen the army.

11. Q11.Which tribe did the Khokhars belong to, who killed Muhammad Ghori?

    • A.Rajput
    • B.Jat
    • C.Afghan
    • D.Local tribe of Punjab✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: While returning to Ghazni, Muhammad Ghori was killed by Khokhars (a fierce tribe of Punjab) at Damyak in 1206 AD.

12. Q12.Who was the last ruler of the Slave Dynasty?

    • A.Balban
    • B.Kaiqubad
    • C.Shamsuddin Kayumars✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Nasiruddin Mahmud

    Explanation: The last ruler of the Slave Dynasty was the infant Shamsuddin Kayumars.

13. Q13.During which campaign did Qutbuddin Aibak acquire the famous Sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki's reverence?

    • A.Campaign of Ajmer
    • B.Campaign of Gujarat
    • C.While in Delhi✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Campaign of Bengal

    Explanation: Aibak showed great respect to Sufi saints. He started the Qutub Minar in Delhi in memory of Bakhtiyar Kaki.

14. Q14.Who built the 'Palace of Red Stone' (Kushk-i-Lal) in Delhi?

    • A.Iltutmish
    • B.Balban✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Alauddin Khalji
    • D.Akbar

    Explanation: Balban built the 'Kushk-i-Lal' (Red Palace) in Delhi.

15. Q15.Which ruler is credited with consolidating the Delhi Sultanate after the initial chaos?

    • A.Aibak
    • B.Iltutmish✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Ruknuddin Firuz
    • D.Raziyya

    Explanation: Iltutmish is regarded as the real consolidator of the Delhi Sultanate as he secured it from internal and external threats.

16. Q16.Which Caliph recognized Iltutmish as the legal sovereign of India?

    • A.Al-Mustansir✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Al-Qadir
    • C.Al-Mamun
    • D.Al-Mansur

    Explanation: In 1229 AD, the Caliph of Baghdad, Al-Mustansir Billah, sent a robe of honour and recognized Iltutmish's rule.

17. Q17.Which invader destroyed the University of Vikramshila?

    • A.Mahmud Ghaznavi
    • B.Muhammad Ghori
    • C.Bakhtiyar Khalji✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Qutbuddin Aibak

    Explanation: Bakhtiyar Khalji destroyed the Vikramshila University during his conquest of Bihar and Bengal.

18. Q18.What was the relation between Qutbuddin Aibak and Iltutmish?

    • A.Brothers
    • B.Father and Son
    • C.Master and Slave/Son-in-law✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Friends

    Explanation: Iltutmish was the slave and also the son-in-law of Qutbuddin Aibak.

19. Q19.According to the text, who was the first Muslim to study Puranas?

    • A.Abul Fazl
    • B.Badauni
    • C.Alberuni✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Dara Shikoh

    Explanation: Alberuni was the first Muslim who studied the Puranas and Sanskrit literature.

20. Q20.Who introduced the famous Persian festival 'Navroz' in India?

    • A.Iltutmish
    • B.Balban✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Alauddin Khalji
    • D.Akbar

    Explanation: Balban introduced the famous Persian festival 'Navroz' in his court to display the grandeur of kingship.