31. Firuz Shah Tughlaq wrote an autobiography called _____.
Correct Answer: B. Futuhat-i-Firuz Shahi
Explanation: Firuz Shah Tughlaq wrote “Futuhat-i-Firuz Shahi” (Victories of Firuz Shah) – a brief autobiography listing his public works and welfare policies. It is a unique first-person account of a medieval sultan’s own conception of his reign and achievements.
32. Muhammad bin Tughlaq had a policy of welcoming foreigners. He appointed Ibn Battuta to go to China as _____.
Correct Answer: B. Ambassador to the Mongol (Yuan dynasty) emperor of China
Explanation: Muhammad bin Tughlaq sent Ibn Battuta to China as his ambassador to the Mongol (Yuan) emperor – a reflection of his cosmopolitan outlook and interest in foreign relations. The embassy was not commercially or diplomatically conclusive, but Ibn Battuta’s account remains historically invaluable.
33. The Tughlaq dynasty is ethnically _____.
Correct Answer: C. Turkic (with some Jat Indian blood in Ghiyasuddin’s case)
Explanation: The Tughlaqs were of Turkic origin – Ghazi Malik’s father was a Turkish slave-soldier. However, Ghazi Malik’s mother was said to be a Hindu Jat woman, making the dynasty part of the gradual Indianization of the Turkish ruling class in north India.
34. The Tughlaq architectural style is characterized by _____.
Correct Answer: B. Massive, sloping (battered) walls in plain grey stone/rubble limestone – severe and austere style
Explanation: Tughlaq architecture is known for its distinctly austere style – massive sloping (battered) walls in rubble limestone with minimal decorative ornamentation, reflecting the militant character of the dynasty. Tughlaqabad Fort is the best example.
35. The famous Begumpuri Mosque in Delhi was built during _____.
Correct Answer: B. Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign
Explanation: The Begumpuri Mosque in Delhi was built during Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign (approximately 1343 AD) at Jahanpanah (the fourth city of Delhi), near the route between Siri and Tughlaqabad.
36. Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced a new agricultural tax called _____ in the Doab.
Correct Answer: C. A one-fifth to one-half increase over the Alauddin rate (called “charai” and “ghari” taxes)
Explanation: Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced new taxes in addition to the existing land tax in the Doab – including “charai” (pasture tax on cattle) and “ghari” (house tax). These new taxes combined with drought created a catastrophic famine in the region.
37. Firuz Shah Tughlaq abolished which taxes that were considered un-Islamic?
Correct Answer: C. About 24 types of cesses (abwabs) and charges imposed under Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Explanation: Firuz Shah Tughlaq abolished about 24 unauthorized taxes (abwabs – forced exactions) that his predecessor Muhammad bin Tughlaq had imposed, replacing the entire system with only four taxes permitted by Islamic law: kharaj, khums, zakat, and jizya.
38. The loss of the Deccan from Delhi during Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign occurred in _____.
Correct Answer: C. 1347 (Bahmani Sultanate founded)
Explanation: The Deccan amirs revolted in 1347 AD and established the independent Bahmani Sultanate under Alauddin Bahman Shah (Zafar Khan). This permanently ended Delhi’s control over the Deccan.
39. The Khwaja Khizr canal (also Ulugh Khan canal) was built by Firuz Shah Tughlaq to irrigate which region?
Correct Answer: C. Haryana and Punjab
Explanation: Firuz Shah Tughlaq’s major canals, including the one from the Yamuna to Hissar and another from the Sutlej to Ghaggar, primarily irrigated the Haryana and Punjab regions, transforming vast agricultural lands and earning Firuz Shah the reputation of a great builder and agriculturalist sultan.
40. The Jahanpanah – “Sanctuary of the World” – was the fourth city of Delhi, built by _____.
Correct Answer: B. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Explanation: Muhammad bin Tughlaq built Jahanpanah (meaning “Sanctuary of the World”) as the fourth city of Delhi, enclosing the areas between Qila Rai Pithora/Mehrauli and Siri with a massive new wall, creating a vast urban area.
41. The Firuz Shah Tughlaq’s employment bureau “Diwan-i-Khairat” was set up to help _____.
Correct Answer: C. Provide financial assistance and marriage loans to orphans and widows
Explanation: Firuz Shah Tughlaq created the “Diwan-i-Khairat” (Department of Charity) specifically to provide marriage expenses for poor Muslim girls and orphans, and financial assistance to the needy – a unique social welfare department in medieval India.
42. How many times was Muhammad bin Tughlaq described as changing his currency policy?
Correct Answer: C. Multiple times – including gold/silver debasement and the token currency experiment (1327–1330)
Explanation: Muhammad bin Tughlaq experimented with currency multiple times – first issuing new gold and silver coins in new denominations, then the disastrous brass/copper token currency experiment (c. 1329–1330), which caused massive counterfeiting and financial chaos before he reversed it.
43. The tomb of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq is located in _____.
Correct Answer: A. Tughlaqabad (in the Tughlaqabad Fort complex, Delhi)
Explanation: Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq’s tomb stands within the now-desolate ruins of Tughlaqabad Fort in South Delhi. It is a striking fortress-like mausoleum with sloping walls of red sandstone, characteristic of Tughlaq architectural style.
44. The last effective ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty was _____.
Correct Answer: B. Firuz Shah Tughlaq
Explanation: Firuz Shah Tughlaq (r. 1351–1388) was the last effective ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty. After his death, a series of weak successors fought civil wars, and Timur’s invasion in 1398 AD finished off the dynasty’s power, though it nominally continued until 1414 AD.
45. Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign is often characterized as “a reign of contradictions” because _____.
Correct Answer: B. He was brilliant and well-intentioned but implemented policies so poorly that they caused disasters
Explanation: Muhammad bin Tughlaq represents one of history’s greatest paradoxes – he was intellectually gifted (philosophical, multi-lingual, well-read) but his ambitious schemes (capital transfer, token currency, failed expeditions) were all implemented without adequate planning and caused enormous harm.
46. Which important historical manuscript was deciphered by Firuz Shah Tughlaq who had it translated?
Correct Answer: C. Ashokan inscriptions (he tried to have them translated but couldn’t fully decipher them)
Explanation: Firuz Shah Tughlaq, fascinated by the Ashokan pillars he had moved to Delhi, tried to have the ancient Brahmi inscriptions on them translated. However, no one could read them at that time; they were only deciphered centuries later by James Prinsep in 1837 AD.
47. During the Tughlaq period, which Hindu kingdom was a major rival in the south?
Correct Answer: C. Vijayanagara Empire
Explanation: The Vijayanagara Empire, founded in 1336 AD during Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign, became a major Hindu kingdom in South India that rivaled and checked the advance of Muslim power in the Deccan and south.
48. Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s scheme to cultivate the agricultural land of the Doab during drought failed because _____.
Correct Answer: A. The plan was poorly implemented, much money was wasted on corrupt officials, and drought continued
Explanation: To compensate for the famine damage, Muhammad bin Tughlaq created a new agricultural department and distributed seed and money to farmers. However, corrupt officials stole the funds, the drought continued for years, and the recovery attempt was a costly failure.
49. Which two famous Tughlaq era scholars wrote books that are major historical sources?
Correct Answer: B. Ziauddin Barani and Isami
Explanation: Ziauddin Barani (“Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi”) and Isami (“Futuh-us-Salatin”) are the two major court historians of the Tughlaq period, providing detailed – if not always unbiased – accounts of the Delhi Sultanate’s history.
50. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq was known before his reign as a brave general. He reportedly won _____ victories against the Mongols.
Correct Answer: C. 29
Explanation: Ghazi Malik (Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq) served as the Warden of the Marches (commander of the northwest frontier) and reportedly won 29 victories against the Mongols before becoming sultan, earning him his epithet “Ghazi” (holy warrior).
51. Firuz Shah Tughlaq expanded use of _____ (hereditary slavery) to build his vast administrative system.
Correct Answer: C. Slave system (he maintained 180,000 slaves as a self-sufficient labor force)
Explanation: Firuz Shah Tughlaq maintained an extraordinary slave force of approximately 180,000 slaves organized into their own administrative department (“Diwan-i-Bandagan”). These slaves worked as craftsmen, soldiers, artisans, and servants, forming a large self-sufficient workforce.
52. The Tughlaq dynasty’s most significant contribution to Delhi’s geography was _____.
Correct Answer: B. Building three new cities of Delhi (Tughlaqabad, Jahanpanah, Firozabad)
Explanation: Three of Delhi’s “seven historic cities” were built during the Tughlaq period: Tughlaqabad (by Ghiyasuddin), Jahanpanah (by Muhammad bin Tughlaq), and Firozabad/Firuz Shah Kotla (by Firuz Shah Tughlaq) – a remarkable urban legacy.
53. Muhammad bin Tughlaq died in _____.
Correct Answer: C. 1351
Explanation: Muhammad bin Tughlaq died on 20 March 1351 AD while on campaign to suppress a rebellion in Sindh near Sondha (Thatta). The historian Barani wrote the famous line “the sultan was freed from his people, and the people were freed from their sultan.”
54. The Tughlaq period saw which important development in Indian literature and music?
Correct Answer: C. Development of regional languages (Hindi/Braj Bhasha/Maithili) and continuation of Amir Khusrow’s literary tradition
Explanation: The Tughlaq period saw the growth of regional Indian languages such as early forms of Hindi, Braj Bhasha, and Maithili, as well as the continuation of Persian court poetry. This period represents the early development of vernacular literatures that would flourish in subsequent centuries.
55. Firuz Shah Tughlaq’s succession problem occurred when _____.
Correct Answer: B. His old age weakened his control; after his death his nobles fought over succession
Explanation: Firuz Shah Tughlaq’s latter years saw palace intrigues as his son and grandson competed for power. After his death in 1388, rival nobles and princes fought civil wars over the sultanate, rapidly destroying what remained of Tughlaq power – leaving the empire helpless before Timur’s invasion in 1398.
56. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq’s tomb is often cited as the first Tughlaq structure and features _____.
Correct Answer: C. Red sandstone with marble trimmings and characteristic sloping (battered) walls
Explanation: Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq’s tomb at Tughlaqabad is built of red sandstone with white marble trimmings and has distinctly sloping (battered) walls – a fortress-like appearance that became the hallmark of Tughlaq architectural style.
57. Which was the only Tughlaq ruler who went on significant campaigns to the south?
Correct Answer: B. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Explanation: Muhammad bin Tughlaq extended Delhi Sultanate control deeper into the south than any sultan before (building on Alauddin Khalji’s campaigns). His capital transfer to Daulatabad was partly to better control the south – the Deccan was lost during his reign despite his attempts.
58. The capital of the Tughlaq dynasty was primarily _____.
Correct Answer: C. Delhi (Tughlaqabad, then Jahanpanah, then Firozabad)
Explanation: The Tughlaq dynasty’s main capital was always in Delhi, though three different “cities” within the Delhi region served as capitals: Tughlaqabad under Ghiyasuddin, Jahanpanah under Muhammad bin Tughlaq (except the brief Daulatabad experiment), and Firozabad under Firuz Shah.
59. When Timur invaded India in 1398 AD, where did Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud Tughlaq flee?
Correct Answer: C. Gujarat and Malwa
Explanation: As Timur’s forces swept through Punjab toward Delhi, the last Tughlaq sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud fled first to Gujarat and then to Malwa, abandoning Delhi entirely. He returned after Timur left to find his capital devastated.
60. The decline of the Tughlaq dynasty can be attributed to all of the following EXCEPT _____.
Correct Answer: D. British colonial pressure
Explanation: The Tughlaq dynasty (1320–1414) declined long before the British arrived in India in significant numbers (late 16th–17th century). The decline of the Tughlaqs was caused by Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s failed policies, the loss of the Deccan, Timur’s invasion, weak successors, and the fragmentation of the empire into independent regional states.