Static Quiz 13 May 2026 (Medieval History)

Q1. Consider the following pairs of administrative terms and their meanings during the Delhi Sultanate:

Term	Meaning
1. Amir-i-Koh	Officer in charge of agriculture
2. Barid	Intelligence officer/Spy
3. Wazir	Head of the military department
4. Mushrif-i-Mamalik	Accountant General

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 1, 2 and 4 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q1. Answer: B

Explanation:

• Amir-i-Koh: A department created by Muhammad bin Tughlaq to improve cultivation and provide loans to farmers.
• Barid-i-Mumalik: The head of the state news agency and intelligence.
• Wazir: The Prime Minister and head of the Finance Department (Diwan-i-Wizarat). The head of the military department was the Ariz-i-Mumalik.
• Mushrif-i-Mamalik: Responsible for maintaining accounts and state expenditure.

Q2. With reference to the ‘Iqta System’ under the Delhi Sultanate, consider the following statements:

1. It was a formal grant of land revenue from a territory in lieu of salary for military service.
2. The Iqtadar (holder of the land) had hereditary rights over the land from the beginning of the Slave Dynasty.
3. Balban introduced the practice of auditing the accounts of the Iqtadars to check corruption.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 1 and 3 only

C) 2 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Answer: B

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Correct: The Iqta was a revenue assignment given to officers (Muqtis or Walis) for their services.
• Statement 2 – Incorrect: Initially, Iqtas were not hereditary and were transferable. It was Firoz Shah Tughlaq who later made the Iqta system hereditary, which weakened central control.
• Statement 3 – Correct: Balban appointed a Khwaja (accountant) to each Iqta to monitor the income and prevent Muqtis from embezzling state funds.

Q3. The ‘Token Currency’ experiment, which involved the introduction of bronze/copper coins to be treated at par with silver coins (Tanka), was the initiative of:

A) Alauddin Khalji

B) Iltutmish

C) Muhammad bin Tughlaq

D) Sikandar Lodi

Q3. Answer: C

Explanation:

• Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced token currency in 1329-30 CE.
• Due to a global shortage of silver, he issued copper and brass coins, decreeing they had the same value as silver Tankas.
• The experiment failed because the state could not prevent forgery, leading to every house becoming a “mint” and a subsequent collapse of trade.

Q4. Which of the following architectural features were introduced or popularized in India by the Delhi Sultanate?

1. The use of true arch and dome.
2. The use of lime mortar as a cementing agent.
3. The Pietra Dura technique of stone inlay.
4. Slab and Beam (Trabeate) method of construction.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 1, 2 and 3 only

C) 2 and 4 only

D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. Answer: A

Explanation:

• 1 & 2 – Correct: The Sultanate introduced the Arcuate style (true arch and dome) and the widespread use of superior lime mortar, which allowed for larger spans and taller buildings.
• 3 – Incorrect: Pietra Dura (inlaying semi-precious stones in marble) became prominent much later during the Mughal period (e.g., Taj Mahal).
• 4 – Incorrect: The Trabeate (Slab and Beam) method was the traditional Indian style used before the Sultanate. The Sultanate period is marked by the transition from Trabeate to Arcuate styles.

Q5. Regarding the ‘Market Control Policy’ of Alauddin Khalji, consider the following statements:

1. He fixed the prices of all essential commodities, from food grains to slaves and horses.
2. Three separate markets were set up in Delhi: one for food grains, one for costly cloth, and one for horses/cattle.
3. The policy was driven primarily by a desire to provide cheap goods to the general peasantry of the empire.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 only

C) 1 and 3 only

D) 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Answer: A

Explanation:

• Statement 1 & 2 – Correct: Alauddin established strict price controls and specialized markets (the Shahna-i-Mandi oversaw the grain market) to ensure economic stability.
• Statement 3 – Incorrect: The primary motive was military. He needed to maintain a large standing army to defend against Mongol invasions. Since he couldn’t increase their salaries significantly, he lowered the cost of living so soldiers could survive on lower pay. The policy was largely restricted to Delhi and its surrounding areas.

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