Class 7 History

Delhi Sultans

NCERT Solution

Question 1: Why were the Delhi Sultans interested in cutting down the forests? Does deforestation occur for the same reasons today?

Answer: The clearing of forests were done when the Delhi Sultans were consolidating the hinterlands of the garrison towns. It was intended to encourage agriculture.

Deforestation in the present times is done for a completely different reason. It is mainly done for setting up industries and also residential townships for the ever increasing population of the country.

Question 2: Which ruler first established his or her capital at Delhi?

Answer: Tomara Rajputs

Question 3: What was the language of administration under the Delhi Sultans?

Answer: Persian

Question 4: In whose reign did the Sultanate reach its farthest extent?

Answer: Muhammad Tughluq

Question 5: From which country did Ibn Battuta travel to India?

Answer: Morocco

Question 6: According to the ‘circle of justice’ why was it important for military commanders to keep the interests of the peasantry in mind?

Answer: Because revenue was collected from farmers and salaries for soldiers could not be possible without proper revenue collection.

Question 7: What is meant by ‘internal’ and ‘external’ frontiers of the Sultanate?

Answer: Internal frontiers included garrison towns and hinterland and the Ganga-Yamuna doab. External frontiers included areas from southern part of India.

Question 8: What were the steps taken to ensure that the muqtis performed their duties? Why do you think they may have wanted to defy the orders of the Sultans?

Answer: The performance of duties by muqti was ensured by keeping the post as inheritable and assigning the iqtas for a short period before being shifted. The stringent and harsh conditions of service could be a reason for provoking them to defy the Sultans’ orders.

Question 9: What was the impact of the Mongol invasions on the Delhi Sultanate?

Answer: The result of Mongol attacks was that the Delhi Sultans were forced to mobilize a large standing army in Delhi, which posed great administrative challenge.

Question 10: Do you think the authors of tawarikh would provide information about the lives of ordinary men and women?

Answer: No. The authors of tawarikh were learned and elite men who lived in cities and hardly in villages. They served the Sultans and wrote histories for them, expecting rich rewards.

Question 11: Raziyya Sultan was unique in the history of the Delhi Sultanate? Do you think women leaders are accepted more readily today?

Answer: Definitely yes. Women are increasingly gaining acceptance as leaders. We have a lot of women leaders today. For example; Indira Gandhi became the Prime Minister of country and the 1960s. Many women have held top political posts in the country, e.g. Pratibha Patil, Sushma Swaraj, Meira Kumar, Mayawati, Jayalalita, etc.