Unit 2: The Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526): Forms of Political Legitimization and Control - Practice Quiz

1 Which Delhi Sultan is credited with institutionalizing the Iqta system as a form of administrative control in the century?

2 In the context of the Theory of Kingship, who adopted the title 'Zill-i-Ilahi' (Shadow of God) to emphasize the divine right of the king?

3 Which Persian term refers to the excess revenue collected by the Muqti from the Iqta, which was required to be remitted to the central treasury?

4 Which architectural feature, distinct to the Tughlaq style, involves sloping walls to provide stability and a massive appearance?

5 Under which Sultan did the ruling class witness the 'Khalji Revolution', signifying the end of the monopoly of the Ilbari Turks?

6 Which famous Sufi saint of the Chishti order refused to meet Sultan Alauddin Khilji, stating, 'My house has two doors; if the Sultan enters through one, I will leave through the other'?

7 The Alai Darwaza, built by Alauddin Khilji, is celebrated for being the first structure in India to employ true scientific construction of which feature?

8 Which literary work by Ziauddin Barani serves as a treatise on political theory and the art of governance for the Delhi Sultans?

9 Who introduced the Persian court etiquettes of Sijda (prostration) and Paibos (kissing the feet) to the Delhi Sultanate?

10 Which Sultan made the Iqta system hereditary, thereby weakening central control over the revenue assignments?

11 The group of powerful Turkish nobles known as Turkan-i-Chahalgani (The Forty) was created by which Sultan?

12 Which Sufi order (Silsila) traditionally accepted state patronage and held positions like Shaikh-ul-Islam within the Delhi Sultanate?

13 What was the 'Double Dome' architectural feature, introduced during the Lodi period, primarily designed to achieve?

14 Which Sultan declared, 'Kingship knows no kinship,' emphasizing that the state laws (Zawabit) supersede personal relations?

15 Which scholar is known as the 'Parrot of India' (Tuti-e-Hind) and contributed significantly to the development of Persian and Hindavi literature?

16 To keep a check on the accounts of the Muqtis, Balban appointed a central audit officer in the provinces known as:

17 The Lodi theory of kingship differed from the Turkish theory because it was based on:

18 Which historical text authored by Minhaj-i-Siraj is dedicated to Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud?

19 What was the Diwan-i-Bandagan established by Firoz Shah Tughlaq?

20 Which architectural ornamentation technique involves using Quranic inscriptions for decoration, widely used in the Delhi Sultanate?

21 Who was the first Sultan to request and receive a Manshur (Letter of Investiture) from the Caliph, thus legally legitimizing the Delhi Sultanate?

22 The Madrasa-i-Nasiri in Delhi was established by which chronicler/scholar during the reign of Iltutmish?

23 Which Sultan sought to curb the power of the Ulama by declaring that he would do 'what is of benefit to the state' regardless of Sharia?

24 The Moth ki Masjid, built during the Lodi era, is a prime example of:

25 What does the term 'Sama' refer to in the context of the relationship between Sufis and the Orthodox Ulama?

26 During the reign of Nasiruddin Mahmud, the rise of Imaduddin Raihan represented the emergence of which faction in the ruling class?

27 The Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque was constructed by Qutbuddin Aibak primarily using materials from:

28 Which text translated into Persian as 'Dalail-i-Firuz Shahi' dealt with philosophy and natural sciences?

29 Who were the 'Ulama-i-Akhirat' according to the Sufi and ethical literature of the period?

30 Which Sultanate ruler was known for his contradictory character and 'mad' projects, yet was a highly educated scholar of logic, philosophy, and mathematics?

31 The Qutub Minar was originally dedicated to which Sufi saint?

32 What was the primary function of the 'Barid-i-Mumalik' in the administrative control of the Sultanate?

33 The Octagonal Tomb style was a distinct feature of which period of the Delhi Sultanate?

34 Which Sultan abolished the Iqta system temporarily and paid soldiers in cash to maintain a standing army?

35 The introduction of the Arcuate style (arches and domes) symbolizes the influence of which culture on Indian architecture?

36 Who authored 'Khazain-ul-Futuh', which describes the campaigns of Alauddin Khilji?

37 Which class of people were known as 'Ahl-i-Qalam' in the Sultanate administrative structure?

38 Sultan Sikandar Lodi is known to have composed poetry under the pen name:

39 Which Sultanate monument contains the first example of a marble dome in India?

40 The Diwan-i-Arz (Military Department) was separated from the Finance Department by:

41 Which Sultan was criticized by Barani for appointing 'low-born' people (gardeners, cooks, vintners) to high administrative posts?

42 The Hauz Khas (Royal Tank) and the madrasa complex surrounding it were significantly developed by:

43 What was the significance of the 'Sursad' or 'Abwabs' in the context of the Iqta system?

44 Which Sufi saint is known as 'Chiragh-i-Dehlavi' (The Lamp of Delhi)?

45 The concept of 'Indo-Saracenic' or 'Indo-Islamic' architecture refers to the synthesis of:

46 Who was the author of 'Taj-ul-Maasir', the first official history of the Delhi Sultanate written in Delhi?

47 The 'Char-Bagh' style of gardening (gardens divided into four quarters) was formally introduced in India by the Mughals, but early precursors are found in the planning of:

48 Which Sultanate ruler was the first to assume the title of 'Ghazi' (Holy Warrior)?

49 The Sayyid dynasty claimed political legitimacy based on:

50 In the context of Education, what was a 'Khanqah'?