📘 Class 7 History – Chapter 3
The Delhi Sultans (दिल्ली सल्तान)
❓ Question 1.
Who was the founder of the Delhi Sultanate?
✅ Answer:
- The Delhi Sultanate was founded by Qutb-ud-din Aibak in 1206 CE.
- He was a former slave of Muhammad Ghori and became the first ruler of the Slave (Mamluk) dynasty.
❓ Question 2.
Name the five dynasties that ruled under the Delhi Sultanate.
✅ Answer:
- Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty – 1206 to 1290 CE
- Khilji Dynasty – 1290 to 1320 CE
- Tughlaq Dynasty – 1320 to 1414 CE
- Sayyid Dynasty – 1414 to 1451 CE
- Lodi Dynasty – 1451 to 1526 CE
❓ Question 3.
Why was Delhi important for the Sultans?
✅ Answer:
- Delhi was the capital city and a political centre.
- It had strong forts and strategic location.
- Controlled trade routes of North India.
❓ Question 4.
What measures did the early Sultans take to consolidate their power?
✅ Answer:
- Built forts and garrisons.
- Appointed trusted nobles and governors.
- Collected land revenue through local officials.
- Controlled rebellions of samantas and chiefs.
❓ Question 5.
What was the Iqta system?
✅ Answer:
- Introduced by Iltutmish.
- Empire was divided into Iqtas (provinces).
- Iqta was given to a noble (iqtadar) to collect revenue.
- Part of revenue was kept by noble, rest sent to Sultan.
❓ Question 6.
Who was Razia Sultan? Why is she important?
✅ Answer:
- Razia Sultan (1236–1240 CE) was the first woman ruler of Delhi.
- Known for her ability, justice and bravery.
- Faced opposition from nobles because she was a woman.
❓ Question 7.
What challenges did the Delhi Sultans face from Mongols?
✅ Answer:
- Mongols under Genghis Khan and successors repeatedly invaded India.
- Created fear of destruction in North India.
- Sultans had to strengthen forts and armies for defence.
❓ Question 8.
Explain the contribution of Alauddin Khalji to strengthen the Sultanate.
✅ Answer:
- Built a strong army with fixed salaries.
- Introduced market control system (regulated prices of goods).
- Expanded territory to Deccan region.
- Defended India from Mongol invasions.
❓ Question 9.
What steps did Muhammad bin Tughlaq take to improve administration?
✅ Answer:
- Introduced token currency (failed).
- Shifted capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (unsuccessful).
- Increased taxes in Doab region (caused discontent).
- Despite failures, he was considered very ambitious and innovative.
❓ Question 10.
Why did the Delhi Sultanate decline in the 14th–15th century?
✅ Answer:
- Weak successors and internal conflicts.
- Continuous Mongol and Timur’s invasions.
- Rise of powerful regional kingdoms.
Corruption and loss of control over provinces.
