Delhi Sultanate MCQ: Slave Dynasty – Qutbuddin Aibak, Iltutmish & Balban

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

1. Q1.Who was the founder of the Slave dynasty?

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

   Explanation: Slave dynasty was the first of five unrelated dynasties to rule India during Sultanate period from 1206 to 1290. Qutbuddin Aibak ascended the throne of Delhi in 1206.

2. Q2.Which Sultan of Delhi Sultanate is known as 'Lakh Baksh'?

   • A.Iltutmish
   • B.Balban
   • C.Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq
   • D.Qutbuddin Aibak✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: Sultan Qutbuddin Aibak was known as 'Lakh Baksh' (giver of lakhs) for his generosity.

3. Q3.What is 'Adhai Din ka Jhonpra'?

   • A.Mosque✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Temple
   • C.Saint’s hut
   • D.Tower

   Explanation: Qutbuddin Aibak started the construction of Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque at Delhi and Adhai Din ka Jhopara (Mosque) at Ajmer.

4. Q4.Who among the following did not contribute to building the famous 'Qutb-Minar'?

   • A.Qutbuddin Aibak
   • B.Iltutmish
   • C.Ghiyasuddin Tughluq✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Firuz Shah Tughluq

   Explanation: Qutbuddin Aibak started its construction, Iltutmish added three storeys, and Firuz Shah Tughluq rebuilt the damaged top storey. Ghiyasuddin Tughluq contributed nothing.

5. Q5.The capital of Qutbuddin Aibak was:

   • A.Lahore✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Delhi
   • C.Ajmer
   • D.Lakhnauti

   Explanation: Qutbuddin ruled initially from Lahore. He moved his capital to Lahore to frustrate Yilduz’s ambition of annexing Punjab.

6. Q6.How did Sultan Qutbuddin Aibak die?

   • A.Stabbed by a noble
   • B.Killed in a battle with Yilduz
   • C.Injuries from Kalinjar siege
   • D.Fall from his horse while playing Chaugan✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: In 1210, Qutbuddin Aibak died in an accident while he was playing Chaugan (polo). He fell from a horse and was severely injured.

7. Q7.Who amongst the following Sultans was the first to shift his capital to Delhi?

   • A.Aram Shah
   • B.Balban
   • C.Iltutmish✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Qutbuddin Aibak

   Explanation: Iltutmish shifted his capital from Lahore to Delhi. He was the first Sultan of the Sultanate to shift his capital.

8. Q8.Who was the first Muslim ruler of Delhi?

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

   Explanation: Iltutmish was the first Sultan of Delhi who received the investiture from Khalifa in 1229 A.D., making him the first legally independent Sultan.

9. Q9.Who was called 'a slave of a slave'?

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

   Explanation: Iltutmish is called 'Slave of a Slave' because he was the slave of Qutbuddin Aibak, who himself was the slave of Mohd. Ghori.

10. Q10.Who of the following was the first woman ruler of medieval India?

    • A.Raziyya Sultan✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Chand Bibi
    • C.Durgavati
    • D.Noorjahan

    Explanation: Raziyya Sultan (1236-40 A.D.) had the unique distinction of being the only woman to occupy the throne of Delhi.

11. Q11.Which Sultan of Delhi was a contemporary of the Mongol Leader Genghis Khan?

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

    Explanation: Mongol invader Genghis Khan came through the northwest frontier of India during the reign of Iltutmish chasing Jalaluddin Mingburni.

12. Q12.The original name of Genghis Khan was:

    • A.Khasul Khan
    • B.Yesugai
    • C.Temuchin✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Ogadi

    Explanation: The original name of Genghis Khan was Temujin (or Temuchin).

13. Q13.Iltutmish appointed his first Subedar in Bihar to:

    • A.Aivaj
    • B.Nasiruddin Mahmud
    • C.Alimardan
    • D.Malik-Jani✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: In 1225 A.D., Iltutmish appointed Malik-Jani as the new Subedar of Bihar after defeating Hisamuddin Awaz.

14. Q14.Who was behind the dethroning of Raziyya Begum?

    • A.Afghans
    • B.Mongols
    • C.Turks✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Arabs

    Explanation: Turkish nobles were behind dethroning of Raziyya Begum. They revolted under the leadership of Malik Altunia.

15. Q15.The full name of Sultan of Delhi Balban was?

    • A.Jalaluddin
    • B.Iltutmish
    • C.Ghiyasuddin✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Qutbuddin

    Explanation: The full name of Balban was Ghiyasuddin Balban. He was the ninth Sultan of the Mamluk dynasty.

16. Q16.Which Sultan of Delhi is said to have followed the policy of 'blood and iron'?

    • A.Iltutmish
    • B.Balban✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Jalaluddin Firuz Khalji
    • D.Firuz Shah Tughluq

    Explanation: It is said that Balban had adopted the policy of 'blood and iron' to establish a powerful and autocratic state.

17. Q17.Who was the first Muslim ruler to formulate the 'theory of kingship' similar to the 'theory of divine right of the kings'?

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

    Explanation: Balban was the first ruler to propound the 'theory of Kingship'. He said, 'Sultan is representative of God on earth'.

18. Q18.After consolidating his power, Balban assumed the grand title of:

    • A.Tuti-e-Hind
    • B.Kaiser-e-Hind
    • C.Zil-e-Ilahi✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Din-e-Ilahi

    Explanation: The king is 'Zil-e-Ilahi' means 'Image of God' or 'Shadow of God'. Balban assumed this title.

19. Q19.Who among the following introduced the famous Persian festival 'Navroz' in India?

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

    Explanation: Balban introduced many Iranian traditions in his court, including the rituals to celebrate the Persian festival 'Navroz'.

20. Q20.Which of the following Sultans has called himself the 'Helper of a Caliph' in his inscription on the walls of the Mosque at Garhmukteshwar?

    • A.Balban✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Kaiqubad
    • C.Jalaluddin Khalji
    • D.None of the above

    Explanation: Balban has called himself the 'Helper of a Caliph' in his inscription on the walls of the Mosque at Garhmukteshwar.