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Chapter: 04. The Turkish Invasion And The Establishment Of The Delhi Sultanate

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Exercises: Remembering and Understanding

A. Fill in the blanks.

Mahmud of Ghazni invaded India _______________ times in the course of _____________ years.
17, 25
Mahmud’s raids exposed the _____________ of the northern states and paved the way for the _____________ of India.
weaknesses, conquest
Qutbuddin Aibak took control of Muhammad Ghori’s _____________ possessions and laid the foundation of the _____________.
Indian, Delhi Sultanate
Iltutmish defeated the Rajput rulers of _____________, _____________, _____________, and _____________ and brought the whole of north India up to the river _____________ under his control.
Ujjain, Ranthambore, Malwa, Gwalior, Narmada
The _____________ recognized Iltutmish as the sovereign of India. He was succeeded by _____________.
Caliph of Baghdad, Prince Rukhnuddin Firoz Shah
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B. Match the following.

A
B
1. Mahmud of Ghazni
(a) general of Ghori
2. First Battle of Tarain
(b) Prithviraj was defeated by Muhammad Ghori.
3. Second Battle of Tarain
© Prithviraj defeated Muhammad Ghori.
4. Qutbuddin Aibak
(d) patron of art and learning
5. Muhammad bin Bakhtiar Khilji
(e) viceroy of Ghori
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1. Mahmud of Ghazni matches with (d) patron of art and learning
2. First Battle of Tarain matches with © Prithviraj defeated Muhammad Ghori.
3. Second Battle of Tarain matches with (b) Prithviraj was defeated by Muhammad Ghori.
4. Qutbuddin Aibak matches with (e) viceroy of Ghori
5. Muhammad bin Bakhtiar Khilji matches with (a) general of Ghori
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C. Choose the correct answer.

Mahmud of Ghazni was a powerful/weak/inefficient ruler.
powerful
Mahmud of Ghazni was interested in territorial expansion in South Asia/Central Asia/West Asia.
Central Asia
Firdausi was a great mathematician/historian/poet.
poet
Nasiruddin Mahmud was a weak and an inexperienced ruler and the affairs of the state during his reign were managed by Balban/Iltutmish/Razia Sultan on his behalf.
Balban
Iltutmish/Qutbuddin Aibak/Balban never smiled or allowed others to laugh in his court.
Balban
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D. State whether the following are true or false. Rewrite the false statements correctly.

The kingdoms of Ghazni and Ghor were established by the Abbasids.
False. The kingdoms of Ghazni and Ghor were established by the Turks who had earlier served in the armies of the Caliphs.
During Mahmud’s time, north India was divided and there was no unity among the rulers.
True.
Iltutmish failed to crush the power of the governor of Bengal.
False. Iltutmish crushed the revolt of the Khilji governor of Bengal.
Razia Sultan was brave, intelligent and just.
True.
Balban made the monarchy weak and dependent on the nobles.
False. Balban made the monarchy absolute and all-powerful, and he mercilessly suppressed the ambitious Turkish nobles.
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E. My mixed bag

Name the following.
(a) He is the founder of the Slave dynasty.
Qutbuddin Aibak
(b) He believed in the theory of divine kingship.
Ghiyasuddin Balban
© He was the youngest son of Iltutmish.
Nasiruddin Mahmud
(d) He never left his capital to conquer new territories.
Ghiyasuddin Balban
Arrange the names of the rulers in chronological order according to their reign: (a) Razia Sultan, (b) Qutbuddin Aibak, © Balban, (d) Iltutmish
(b) Qutbuddin Aibak (1206–1210 CE) -> (d) Iltutmish (1210–1236 CE) -> (a) Razia Sultan (1236–1239 CE) -> © Balban (1266–1286 CE)
Read the statements given below and choose the correct option. ​(A) Assertion: Muhammad Ghori routed the Rajput army led Prithviraj Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain ​(B) Reason: Raja Jaichandra of Kanuaj refused to help Prithviraj Chauhan. ​(a) (A) is true but (B) is false. ​(b) (A) is false but (B) is true. ​© (A) and (B) are both true. ​(d) (A) and (B) are both false.
© (A) and (B) are both true.
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F. Answer the following questions in one or two words/sentences.

What happened to the Abbasid Caliphate by the 9th century CE?
By the end of the 9th century CE, the political power of the Abbasid Caliphate declined, and the empire disintegrated into a number of independent states ruled by the Turks.
Name the author of the great epic Shahnama.
The Persian poet Firdausi.
What is the significance of the defeat of Prithviraj in the Second Battle of Tarain?
The defeat marked the end of Rajput rule in north India and passed the kingdom of Delhi into the hands of Muslim rulers.
Who did Muhammad Ghori appoint as his viceroy?
Qutbuddin Aibak.
For how many years did the sultans of Delhi rule the country?
The sultans ruled Delhi for 320 years (from 1206 to 1526 CE).
How did Iltutmish save India from the threat of a Mongol invasion?
He politely refused to give refuge to the Shah of Persia, who was fleeing towards India while being pursued by the Mongol chief, Chenghiz Khan.
Mention two important contributions of Balban to the Delhi Sultanate.
He reorganized the army (strengthening the infantry and cavalry while building strategic forts) and set up an elaborate spy system to ensure security and stability.
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G. Give reasons for the following.

Why did Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni want to build a large and well-equipped army?
He wanted to expand his kingdom and protect it from his enemies in Central Asia.
Why did Buddhism decline in India after the Turkish invasion?
Muhammad Ghori’s general, Muhammad bin Bakhtiar Khilji, wantonly destroyed many Buddhist monasteries and libraries across Bihar and Bengal, dealing a death blow to Buddhism in India.
Why is the dynasty founded by Qutbuddin Aibak called the Mamluk dynasty?
“Mamluk” means slave, and Qutbuddin Aibak was a former slave of Muhammad Ghori who rose to the rank of general through merit.
Why was Qutbuddhin known as ‘Lakhbaksh’?
He was known as ‘Lakhbaksh’ (giver of lakhs) because he was a just and highly generous ruler.
Why did Iltutmish nominate his daughter Razia as his successor?
He did so because his sons were pleasure-loving and worthless, whereas Razia was brave, intelligent, and possessed all the qualities of a great monarch.
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H. Answer the following questions briefly.

How did Sultan Mahmud transform his capital, Ghazni? How do we know he was a patron of art and learning?
Transformation of Ghazni: Mahmud drained India’s vast treasures to build splendid mosques, libraries, a museum, and a glittering court in Ghazni.
Patron of Art & Learning: He enjoyed the company of learned scholars and poets, and patronized eminent figures such as the Persian poet Firdausi (author of Shahnama) and the mathematician/historian Al Beruni.
Discuss the (a) causes and (b) results of the First and Second Battles of Tarain.
(a) Causes: Muhammad Ghori wanted to conquer India to enrich his kingdom and initiated an attack on Prithviraj Chauhan (the Rajput ruler of Delhi and Ajmer) in 1191 CE. The cause of the Second Battle in 1192 CE was Ghori’s return to avenge his initial humiliating defeat.
(b) Results: The First Battle of Tarain (1191 CE) resulted in a crushing defeat for Muhammad Ghori. The Second Battle of Tarain (1192 CE) resulted in the defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan, marking the end of Rajput rule in north India and laying the foundations of Muslim rule in Delhi.
Give any five reasons to prove that Iltutmish was a shrewd, clever and a capable ruler.
He successfully suppressed the Turkish nobles who challenged his claim to the throne.
He crushed the revolt of the Khilji governor of Bengal and defeated external rivals from Ghazni and Multan.
He saved India from a Mongol invasion by politely refusing shelter to the fleeing Shah of Persia.
He defeated the Rajput rulers of Ujjain, Ranthambore, Malwa, and Gwalior to bring north India up to the Narmada river under his control.
He systematically reorganized the finance and revenue departments, divided the empire into administrative iqtas, and was the first to mint gold and silver coins.
Discuss the important developments that took place during the reign of Razia Sultan.
Razia ascended the throne in 1236 CE after her worthless brother, Rukhnuddin, was deposed.
She broke gender norms by sitting in open durbar to conduct business, dressing like a man, riding horses, and leading armies into battle.
Provincial governors revolted against her rule, leading to her defeat and imprisonment.
She won over and married the rebel leader, Altunia, but their attempt to recover the throne failed, and both were killed in 1240 CE.
With reference to (a) ambitious nobles and (b) the Mongols, explain how Balban maintained security and stability in his kingdom.
(a) Ambitious Nobles: Balban established an absolute, all-powerful monarchy and ruthlessly suppressed the nobles. He forced them to kneel and touch their foreheads to the ground (Sajda). When the governor of Bengal, Tughril Khan, revolted, Balban personally marched to Bengal and killed him, his family, and all his supporters.
(b) The Mongols: Balban chose not to leave his capital to conquer new territories. Instead, he focused on defenses by appointing his sons as governors of frontier provinces, building and repairing strategic forts, and keeping his army in constant readiness.
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Skills: Applying and Analysing

I. Source-based question

Identify the person in the picture. Why did he invade India?
The person is Muhammad Ghori. He invaded India to conquer territories and enrich his kingdom with India’s wealth.
The Battles of Tarain laid the foundation of the Turkish rule in north India. Do you agree? Why?
Yes, because the defeat of Prithviraj Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192 CE) marked the end of Rajput rule in north India, transferring the control of Delhi to Muslim rulers until 1858.
Explain the causes of the success of the Turkish invaders against the Rajputs.
The success of the Turkish invaders was due to a complete lack of unity among the Rajput kingdoms, who were deeply absorbed in mutual rivalries (e.g., Raja Jaichandra of Kanauj refusing to help Prithviraj Chauhan), and their inability to recognize the gravity of foreign invasions.
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J. Map work

On an outline map of the Indian Subcontinent:
(a) Extent of Mahmud of Ghazni’s empire: Locate and color the northwestern region including parts of modern-day Pakistan, Afghanistan (Ghazni, Kabul), and Punjab (Lahore).
(b) Areas overrun by him: Draw routes/arrows extending from Ghazni into north-western and western India, specifically targeting Somnath (Kathiawar), Kanauj, and Delhi.
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Do and Learn

A. Use your imagination

Royal Official’s Account of Balban’s Court: “As an official in Sultan Balban’s court, my daily experience is filled with absolute silence and gravity. The Sultan never smiles, and any form of laughter or lighthearted joking is strictly forbidden. When the Sultan enters, every noble must kneel and touch their forehead to the ground in total submission to show respect. The atmosphere is tense but highly organized, controlled by the watchful eyes of the state spies who report any sign of rebellion directly to the throne.”

B. Project Work

Prithviraj Chauhan’s Speech to the Rajput Army: “Brave warriors of Aryavarta! Today, we stand on the plains of Tarain not just to fight, but to defend our motherland, our sacred temples, and our heritage. The invader, Muhammad Ghori, returns to seek revenge. Let us show him that Rajput courage cannot be broken. Stand united, strike with the strength of your ancestors, and let our swords defend our freedom. To victory!”
Achievements and Contributions of Firdausi and Al Beruni:
Firdausi: A legendary Persian poet who composed the Shahnama (Book of Kings), a massive Persian epic poem that serves as a masterpiece of Persian literature and chronicles the history of Persian rulers.
Al Beruni: A brilliant Persian polymath, mathematician, and historian who accompanied Mahmud of Ghazni to India. He wrote Kitab-ul-Hind, a detailed and invaluable scientific and cultural account of Indian society, science, and religion during the 11th century.
Mamluk Dynasty Picture Album Outline:
Qutbuddin Aibak (1206–1210 CE): Generous ruler called ‘Lakhbaksh’; built the first mosques in Delhi and Ajmer.
Iltutmish (1210–1236 CE): Consolidated the empire, introduced the iqta system, and completed the Qutb Minar.
Razia Sultan (1236–1240 CE): The only female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate who challenged social norms to lead her armies directly into battle.
Nasiruddin Mahmud (1246–1266 CE): A simple and pious ruler whose administration was managed by Balban.
Ghiyasuddin Balban (1266–1286 CE): Established an absolute monarchy and defended the borders against Mongol threats.
Selected Sultan: Razia Sultan, because she was a highly progressive leader who defied the deep-seated gender prejudices of the medieval nobility to rule purely on the basis of merit and capability.
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