1.  Which ruler first established his or her capital at Delhi.
Ans: The Tomara Rajputs were the first rulers who established their capital at Delhi.

2.  What was the language of administration under the Delhi sultanate.
Ans:
The language of administration under the Delhi sultanate was Persian.

3.  In whose reign did the Sultanate reach its farthest extent.
Ans:
The Sultanate reached its farthest extent during  the reign of Muhammad Tughluq.

4.  From which country did Ibn Battuta travel to India.
Ans:
Ibn Battuta travelled to India from Morocco, Africa.

5.  According to the ‘circle of justice’ why was it important for military commanders to keep the interests of the peasantry in mind.
Ans:
Peasantry was the backbone of the entire kingdom and was the source of revenue. The soldiers got their salaries from this revenue.  For this , the peasants had to kept happy . That is why the military commanders kept the interests of the peasantry in mind.

6.  What is meant by the ‘internal’ and ‘external’ frontiers of the Sultanate.
Ans: The ‘interior’ frontier means the hinterland of the garrison town. The ‘external’ frontier means the areas beyond the hinterland of the garrison town.

7.  What were the steps taken to ensure that muqtis performed their duties. Why do you think they may have wanted to defy the orders of the Sultans.
Ans:
The steps taken are:
i) Accountants were appointed by the state to check the amount of revenue collected by them.
ii) Care was taken that the muqti collected only the taxes prescribed by the state.
iii) The muqtis should keep only the required number of soldiers.
-The muqtis  appointment was not hereditary so they could defy the orders of the Sultans.  Their job was also transferable. The conditions of service was strictly imposed on them which they did not like.

8.  What was the impact of the Moghul invasions on the Delhi Sultanate.
Ans:

(i)The Delhi sultanate mobilized a large standing army in Delhi. It posed a big administrative challenge.
(ii) Alauddin Khilji constructed a garrison town called  Siri for his soldiers. He imposed taxes on land to feed the army. He began to pay the soldiers in cash.
(iii) Muhammad  Tughlaq shifted people from Delhi to Daulatabad  and converted Delhi into a garrison town.
(iv) He disbanded the army. He also paid the soldiers in cash.

9.  Do you think the authors of tawarikh would provide information about thelives of ordinary men and women.
Ans:
I don’t think so, because the authors of tawarikh lived in cities mainly Delhi. They were not in touch with village people. They wrote histories for the sultans in order to get rich rewards. Hence the authors of tawarikh would not be able to provide information about the lives of ordinary men and women.

10.  Raziya Sultan was unique in the history of the Delhi sultanate. Do you think women leaders are accepted more readily today.
Ans:
Today women leaders are accepted more readily. Because of education , the potential of women is realized and people have started accepting them as leaders, even in rural areas.

11.  Why were the Delhi sultans interested in cutting down forests. Does deforestation occur for the same reasons today.
Ans: The Delhi sultans cleared the forests and gave these lands to peasants to encourage agriculture. They built fortresses and towns here to promote trade and protect trade routes.
Deforestation today does not occur for the same reason today. Nowadays forests are cut down due to over population, urbanization and commercialism.

Complete the sentences:

1.  The great Emperor Akbar followed ———

2.  AlauddinKhilji constructed Siri which was —————–.

3.  Tughlaq used a token currency made of ————-.

4.  The chieftains lived in these forests which served them ——–.

5.  Raziya was Sultan —————- .

Answers:

1.  The great Emperor Akbar followed Sher Shah’s administration.

2.  Alauddin Khilji constructed Siri which was a new garrison town.

3.  Tughluq used a token currency made of cheap metal.

4.  The chieftains lived in these forests which served them as ramparts.

5.  Raziya was Sultan Iltutmish’s daughter.