[Topic wise IAS Medieval Indian History Question Bank (1979-2015)]: (4) The Fourteenth Century

“The Khalji Revolution” – Alauddin Khalji: Conquests and territorial expansion, agrarian and economic measures
Muhammad Tughluq: Major projects, agrarian measures, bureaucracy of Muhammad Tughluq
Firuz Tughluq: Agrarian measures, achievements in civil engineering and public works, decline of the Sultanate
Foreign contacts and Ibn Battuta’s account
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“The Khalji Revolution” – Alauddin Khalji: Conquests and territorial expansion, agrarian and economic measures

1. Bring out the essential features of the administration of Ala-ud-din Khalji. [1979, 60m]

2. What were the aims of Alauddin Khalji behind his market regulations, and how far were they achieved? [1981, 60m]

3. Critically examine the views of Balban, Ala-ud-din Khalji and the Tughluq on the nature of Kingship under the Delhi Sultanate. [1982, 60m]

4. Critically examine the economic regulations of Ala-ud-din Khalji. [1983, 60m]

5. Critically examine the price control measures of Alauddin Khilji. What was the main objective behind them and how for was he able to put them into effecter? [1987, 60m]

6. Write a short essay on: “The significance of Alauddin Khilji economic regulations for his imperialism.” [1989, 20m]

7. What, in your opinion, was the significance of the extensive military expeditions undertaken during the time of Alauddin Khalji? Do you think his reign is considered significant in terms of such expeditions alone? [1991, 60m]

8. Examine the significance of Alauddin Khalji’s administrative reforms. Was he really successful in implementing these measures? [1993, 60m]

9. Discuss the implications of Khilji imperialism with reference to administration and economic regulations on the State and peopIe of India. [1997, 60m]

10. Write a short essay on: “Alauddin Khilji was a typical despot” [1999, 20m]

11. Assess the impact of the market reforms of Alauddin Khilji on contemporary economy and society. [2001, 60m]

12. Discuss Balban’s concept of kingship. How was it modified by Alauddin Khalji? [2002, 60m]

13. Write a short essay on: “The Khalji Revolution” [2006, 20m]

14. Examine critically the agrarian and economic reforms of Alauddin Khalji. How did it strengthen the Sultanate? [2011, 20m]

15. Analyse the ordinances mentioned by Barani which Alauddin Khalji promulgated for market control. [2014, 10m]

Muhammad Tughluq: Major projects, agrarian measures, bureaucracy of Muhammad Tughluq

1. Do you agree with the view that Muhammad Tughluq was ‘transcendent failure’? Why did he fail to achieve the ideals he had set for himself? [1984, 60m]

2. Was the state in the Sultanate period a theocracy? Discuss the new orientation of state policies and administrative principles under Muhammad bin Tughluq. [1988, 60m]

3. Muhammad Bin Tughlaq’s contradictory qualities were beyond the grasp knowledge and commonsense. Evaluate the significance of his administrative measures and policies in the light of this statement. [1992, 60m]

4. Write a short essay on: “Experiments of Muhammad Tughluq”. [2003, 20m]

5. Write a short essay on: “The Token Currency System introduced by Muhammad Tughluq.” [2004, 20m]

6. Write a short essay on: “Muhammad Tughluq as an agrarian innovator.” [2009, 20m]

Firuz Tughluq: Agrarian measures, achievements in civil engineering and public works, decline of the Sultanate

1. Why was Firuz Tughluq regarded as an ideal Muslim king of medieval times? [1983, 20m]

2. Examine the responsibility of Firuz Tughluq for the fall of his dynasty. [1985, 20m]

3. “Firuz Tughluq has been overshadowed by Muhammad Tughluq.” In the light of this statement evaluate the significance of the policies and actions of Firuz Tughluq. [1990, 60m]

4. Form an estimate of the personality of Firoz Shah Tughlaq with special reference to his religious policy and public works. [2000, 60m]

5. Evaluating the theory of kingship of the Sultanate, discuss the deviations seen in the reigns of different Sultans. [2014, 20m]

Foreign contacts and Ibn Battuta’s account

1. What is your assessment of Ibn Batutah’s Rehla as an important source of Indian history. [2011, 20m]