FYUG Even Semester Exam, 2024
History of India (1206–1526)

Subject: History
Course No.: HISDSC-152T
Semester: 2nd Semester (FYUG)
Exam Year: 2024
Time: 3 Hours
Full Marks: 70

Section-A

(Answer any ten questions. Each question carries 2 marks.)

1. Who was the author of Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi and in which language was it written? [2 Marks]

2. Who started the construction of Qutb Minar and who completed it? [2 Marks]

3. Name two Slave rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. [2 Marks]

4. Name the first two Khilji rulers of India. [2 Marks]

5. Mention two important towns established by Firuz Shah Tughluq. [2 Marks]

6. Who renamed Devagiri to Daulatabad and when? [2 Marks]

7. Who was Timur? [2 Marks]

Timur (Tamerlane) was a Turko-Mongol conqueror and the founder of the Timurid Empire in Central Asia, who invaded India in 1398 AD.

8. Who founded the Sayyid dynasty and when? [2 Marks]

  • The Sayyid dynasty was founded by Khizr Khan.
  • It was founded in 1414 AD.

9. Between whom was the first Battle of Panipat fought? [2 Marks]

The first Battle of Panipat was fought between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi in 1526 AD.

10. Name two dynasties that ruled Vijayanagara kingdom. [2 Marks]

  • Sangama Dynasty.
  • Tuluva Dynasty (or Saluva/Aravidu).

11. Name two travellers who visited the Vijayanagara kingdom during the reign of Krishnadeva Raya. [2 Marks]

  • Domingo Paes.
  • Duarte Barbosa.

12. When and between whom was the Battle of Talikota fought? [2 Marks]

  • It was fought in 1565 AD.
  • It was fought between the Vijayanagara Empire and the Deccan Sultanates (Bijapur, Ahmednagar, Golconda, and Bidar).

13. What is the meaning of Bhakti? Name one Bhakti saint from Assam. [2 Marks]

  • Bhakti means devotion or selfless love towards a personal god as a means of salvation.
  • The famous Bhakti saint from Assam is Srimanta Sankardev.

14. Name two Sufi saints. [2 Marks]

  • Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
  • Nizamuddin Auliya.

15. What were the two chief Sufi orders in India? [2 Marks]

  • Chishti Order.
  • Suhrawardi Order.

Section-B

(Answer any five questions. Each question carries 10 marks.)

16. How did Iltutmish consolidate the power and position of the Delhi Sultanate? [10 Marks]

Iltutmish is regarded as the real founder of the Delhi Sultanate. He consolidated power through several strategic measures:

  • Suppression of Rivals: He defeated powerful rivals like Tajuddin Yildiz and Nasiruddin Qabacha to secure the western frontiers.
  • Organizing the Administration: He created the "Turkan-i-Chahalgani" (The Forty), a corps of highly loyal Turkish slave officers to assist in administration.
  • Iqta System: He institutionalized the Iqta system, dividing the empire into administrative units and assigning them to nobles for collection of revenue and maintenance of troops.
  • Currency Reform: He introduced the Silver Tanka and the Copper Jital, providing the Sultanate with a stable monetary system.
  • Caliph's Recognition: In 1229 AD, he received a 'Mansur' (letter of investiture) from the Abbasid Caliph, which gave legal and religious legitimacy to his rule.

17. Explain Ghiyas-ud-din Balban's theory of kingship. [10 Marks]

Balban's theory of kingship was centered on enhancing the prestige and absolute power of the Sultan to counter the influence of the Chahalgani.

  • Divine Right: He believed that the King was the "Shadow of God" (Zil-i-Illahi) and the "Recipient of Divine Grace" (Niyabat-i-Khudai).
  • Dignity of the Court: He maintained a rigorous court decorum. He introduced the practices of Sijda (prostration) and Paibos (kissing the Sultan's feet) to demonstrate the Sultan's superiority.
  • Blood and Iron Policy: He adopted a ruthless policy of 'Blood and Iron' to suppress internal rebellions (like those of the Mewatis) and protect the Sultanate from Mongol invasions.
  • Spy System: He established an efficient network of spies (Barids) to keep a close watch on the activities of the nobles.

18. Discuss the economic policy of Alauddin Khilji. [10 Marks]

Alauddin Khilji introduced radical economic and market reforms primarily to maintain a large standing army at low costs.

  • Market Control: He fixed the prices of all essential commodities, from food grains to cloth and cattle.
  • Separate Markets: He established different markets (Mandis) for grains, cloth (Sarai-i-Adl), and slaves/cattle.
  • Market Officers: Markets were strictly regulated by officials like the Shahna-i-Mandi and spies called Munhiyans.
  • Land Revenue Reforms: He was the first Sultan to insist on the measurement of land (Biswa) for revenue assessment. He abolished intermediaries (Khotas and Muqaddams) to ensure direct state control over peasants.
  • Increased Taxation: He increased the land revenue (Kharaj) to 50% of the produce and introduced new taxes like Ghari (house tax) and Chari (pasture tax).

19. Discuss the various reforms introduced by Muhammad bin-Tughluq. [10 Marks]

Muhammad bin Tughluq was a visionary ruler whose reforms often failed due to poor execution and lack of public support.

  • Transfer of Capital (1327): He moved the capital from Delhi to Devagiri (renamed Daulatabad) to centrally manage the Deccan. However, the move caused immense hardship and was eventually reversed.
  • Token Currency (1329): He introduced bronze/copper coins as token currency to be equivalent in value to silver tankas. Widespread counterfeiting by the public led to economic chaos, forcing him to withdraw the scheme.
  • Agricultural Reform: He established a separate department for agriculture called Diwan-i-Amir-Kohi. He provided 'Sondhar' (agricultural loans) to farmers to bring more land under cultivation.
  • Taxation in Doab: He increased taxes in the fertile Doab region. Unfortunately, this coincided with a severe famine, leading to a massive peasant revolt.

22. State briefly the achievements of Krishnadeva Raya. [10 Marks]

Krishnadeva Raya (1509–1529) was the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire.

  • Military Victories: He defeated the Gajapatis of Odisha and the Adil Shahi Sultans of Bijapur (capturing Raichur Doab).
  • Art and Architecture: He built the famous Vitthala and Virupaksha temples at Hampi and the city of Nagalapuram.
  • Literature: A great scholar himself, he wrote Amuktamalyada in Telugu. His court was graced by eight great poets known as the Ashtadiggajas, including Tenali Rama.
  • Foreign Trade: He maintained friendly relations with the Portuguese and encouraged trade through ports like Goa and Bhatkal.

25. Analyse the causes behind the downfall of the Delhi Sultanate. [10 Marks]

The decline of the Delhi Sultanate was a gradual process caused by several internal and external factors:

  • Weak Successors: After the death of Firuz Shah Tughluq, the Sultanate was ruled by weak monarchs who could not control the vast empire.
  • Nature of Government: The Sultanate was a military-centric state based on force; it failed to win the permanent loyalty of the local subjects.
  • Rise of Regional Kingdoms: The Deccan campaigns and administrative failures led to the emergence of independent states like Vijayanagara, Bahmani, Bengal, and Gujarat.
  • Foreign Invasions: Timur’s invasion in 1398 AD shattered the economy and prestige of the Sultanate.
  • Defective Military: The nobility became too powerful and often engaged in civil wars. The Sultans also failed to modernize their military technology.
  • Invasion of Babur: The final blow was delivered by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat (1526), which replaced the Sultanate with the Mughal Empire.

Exam Focus Enhancements

  • Exam Tips: When discussing Muhammad bin Tughluq, highlight the "intention vs. outcome" of his reforms.
  • Common Mistakes: Do not confuse the First Battle of Panipat (1526) with the Second (1556) or Third (1761).
  • Diagram Placeholder:
  • Answer Presentation: For questions on Bhakti/Sufi saints, use a table to list the saints and their respective regions or orders.