Question: What was the Persian term for slaves who were trained for military and administrative services?
Answer: Bandagan
Explanation: The early Delhi Sultans, including the Khaljis and Tughluqs, appointed bandagan (special slaves) to key political offices, as they were considered loyal and reliable.
Question: What was the term for land assignments given to military commanders?
Answer: Iqta
Explanation: The Sultans granted iqtas to military commanders, called muqtis, who were responsible for tax collection and maintaining law and order.
Question: What was the official designation for an iqta holder?
Answer: Muqti
Explanation: Muqtis were military officers who governed territories, collected revenue, and maintained soldiers for the Sultanate.
Question: What was the main tax imposed on peasants under the Delhi Sultans?
Answer: Kharaj
Explanation: Kharaj was a land tax imposed on peasants, usually amounting to about 50% of their produce.
Question: Which Khalji ruler centralized revenue collection and reduced the power of local chieftains?
Answer: Alauddin
Explanation: Alauddin Khalji took direct control of revenue collection by measuring land and canceling the taxation rights of local chieftains.
Question: What was the term used for noble families and high-ranking aristocrats who traditionally held power?
Answer: Samanta
Explanation: The samantas were aristocrats and landlords who had to accept the authority of the Delhi Sultans and pay taxes.
Question: What was the main reason for political instability in the administration of Khalji and Tughluq rulers?
Answer: Loyalty
Explanation: The appointment of slaves and low-born individuals to high positions created instability, as they were loyal only to the ruling Sultan and not his successors.
Question: Who among the Tughluq rulers promoted people from humble backgrounds to high administrative posts?
Answer: Muhammad
Explanation: Sultan Muhammad Tughluq appointed people of humble origins, such as barbers and cooks, to high administrative posts, which was criticized by chroniclers.
Question: What was the name of the chronicler who criticized Muhammad Tughluq’s administrative appointments?
Answer: Barani
Explanation: Ziyauddin Barani, a historian of the 14th century, criticized Muhammad Tughluq for appointing low-born individuals to important government positions.
Question: What kind of military force was created in Delhi to counter Mongol invasions?
Answer: Standing
Explanation: Both Alauddin Khalji and Muhammad Tughluq maintained a large standing army in Delhi to defend against Mongol invasions
