Important Dates 

Rajput Dynasties	Early twelfth century –1165
Ananga Pala Chauhans Prithviraj Chauhan	1130–1145    1165 –1192  1175–1192
Early Turkish Rulers	1206 –1290
Qutbuddin AybakShamsuddin Iltutmish Raziyya Ghiyasuddin Balban	1206–12101210–12361236–12401266–1287
Khalji Dynasty	1290 –1320
Jalaluddin Khalji Alauddin Khalji	1290–12961296–1316
Tughlug Dynasty	1320 –1414
Ghiyasuddin Tughluq Muhammad Tughluq Firuz Shah Tughluq	1320–13241324–13511351–1388
Sayyid Dynasty	1414 –1451
Khizr Khan	1414–1421
Lodi Dynasty	1451–1526
Bahlul Lodi	1451–1489

Important Definitions 

1. Tarikh: Histories are known as Tarikh (singular)/tawarikh (plural) in the Persian language.
2. Birthright: Privileges claimed on account of birth. For example, people believed that nobles inherited their rights to govern because they were born into certain families.
3. Gender distinctions: Social and biological differences between women and men. Usually, these differences are used to argue that men are superior to women.
4. Client: Someone who is under the protection of another; a dependent or hanger-on.

Important Questions and Answers 

1. Which ruler first established his or her capital at Delhi? 

Ans: Ananga Pala (Tomaras) of the Rajput Dynasty first established his capital in Delhi.

2. What was the language of administration under the Delhi Sultans? 

Ans: Persian was the language of administration under the Delhi Sultans.

3. In whose reign did the Sultanate reach its farthest extent? 

Ans: During the reign of Muhammad Tughluq, the Sultanate reached its farthest extent and spread across a large part of the Indian subcontinent. They defeated the rival armies and conquered several cities.

4. From which country did Ibn Battuta travel to India?

Ans: Ibn Battuta came from Morocco, Africa to travel to India.

5. According to the “circle of justice”, why was it important for military commanders to keep the interests of the peasantry in mind? 

Ans: According to the “circle of justice,” it was important for military commanders to consider the interests of the peasantry because the well-being of the peasants was connected to the prosperity of the kingdom. If the peasants were unhappy or faced difficulties, it could lead to unrest and harm the stability of the kingdom.

6. What is meant by the “internal” and “external” frontiers of the Sultanate? 

Ans: The “internal” frontiers of the Sultanate means the joining of the hinterlands of the garrison towns. During these campaigns, forests were cleared in the Ganga-Yamuna doab, and hunter-gatherers and pastoralists were expelled from their habitat; these lands were handed over to the peasants. They also encouraged regional trade through the establishment of New fortresses and garrison towns. The “external” frontiers of the Sultanate meant the military expeditions into southern parts of India, which started during the reign of Alauddin Khalji and ended with the reign of Muhammad Tughluq.

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 duty of the muqtis was to lead military campaigns and maintain law and order in their iqtas. The following steps were taken to ensure muqtis performed their duties:

• In exchange for their military services, the muqtis collected the revenues of their assignments as salary. They also paid their soldiers from these revenues.
• Control over muqtis was most effective if their office was not inheritable and if they were assigned iqtas for a short period of time before being shifted.
• Accountants were appointed by the state to check the amount of revenue collected by the muqtis.
• Care was taken that the muqti collected only the taxes prescribed by the state and that he kept the required number of soldiers.