All questions carry equal marks.

Q1. Who was Firoz Tughlaq? Describe his ascension.

Answer; Firoz Shah Tughlaq: Life

Firoz Shah Tuglaq was a Turkish leader who was born in 1309. He ruled Delhi from 1351 to
1388. He was the son of a Hindu princess from Dipalpur and his father's name was Rajab.

Rajab was the younger sibling of Ghazi Malik who carried the title of Sipahsalar to the dynasty.
Take a look at the timeline of the rulers of the Tuglaq Dynasty.

The Tughlaq Dynasty

Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq 1320-24 AD
Muhammad Tughlaq 1324-51 AD
Firoz Shah Tughlaq 1351-88 AD
Mohammad Khan 1388 AD
Ghiyassuddin Tughlaq Shah II 1388 AD
Abu Baqr 1389-90 AD
Nasiruddin Muhammad 1390-94 AD
Humayun 1394-95 AD
Nasiruddin Mahmud 1395-1412 AD

Firoz Shah Tughlaq's tenure:

 He was the third ruler of Tughlaq dynasty after the death of Mohammad-bin Tughlaq.
 Mohammad-bin Tughlaq Son of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq ascended the throne in 1325.
 He passed away in Thatta while battling in Sindh against Taghi, a Turkish slave.
 After his demise the nobles and specialists at the court chose Muhammad's cousin Firoz
ShahTughlaq as the next Sultan, in 1351.

Q2. Describe Ala-ud-din Alam Shah in detail.

Answer; Ala-ud-din Shah (1445-1451 AD)

The fourth and last king of the Sayyid Dynasty was Ala-ud-din-Alam Shah. The name Alam Shah applied
to him, and he ruled from 1445 to 1451. Having inherited the Dynasty, he adopted the title of Alam Shah
despite being born Ala-ud-Din. Alam Shah was a poor executive and ruler, much like Muhammad Shah.
He loved Baduan as a tourist and lived there all his life.
The governor of Lahore and Sarhind, Bahlol Lodhi, was able to collect power and seize control of Delhi
because the Central Authority was weak and lacked control. Bahlul Lodhi removed Alam Shah from the
crown in 1451. Alam Shah reigned over Baduan until his death in 1478, ending the Sayyid dynasty.

Sayyid Dynasty Last Ruler

The fourth and final the ruler of the Sayyid Dynasty was Ala-ud-din-Alam Shah.

Sayyid Dynasty Administration

The Sayyid Dynasty had a highly controlled government and the Sultan had unrestricted power. The
Sayyid Dynasty had a well-organized administrative process that was carried out by various ministers
who were each given a particular task to complete. Sultan held unrestricted authority in all spheres of
state activity and served as the head of state. Naib held a status similar to that of the Sultan, while Wazir
served as state’s prime minister and was in charge of the finances.

Q3. Who was Ibrahim Lodi? Describe his battle with Rana Sanga. When and between whom did the first
battle of Panipat take place?

Answer; The Battle of Panipat - Background

 The first battle of Panipat took place on April 21, 1526, in Panipat, a level plain suitable
for cavalry movements about 50 miles (80 kilometres) north of Delhi.
 It was fought between the Mughal chief Babur (ruler of Kabul) and Sultan Ibrahim
Lodi of Delhi.
 During that time, North India was ruled by Ibrahim Lodi of the Lodi dynasty, but the
empire was crumbling and there were many defectors.
 Babur was invited by Daulat Khan Lodi, Governor of Punjab, and Ala-ud-Din,
Ibrahim's uncle.
 On receiving the invitation, Babur dispatched an ambassador to Ibrahim, claiming
himself to be the rightful heir to the country's throne, but the ambassador was detained
in Lahore and released months later.
 In 1524, Babur arrived in Lahore but was turned back by Lodi's troops. He attempted to
defeat Lodi once more with the assistance of another rebel chief but in vain.
 However, Babur was better prepared in 1526, thanks to an improved intelligence
network.
 This resulted in the first Battle of Panipat that took place in 1526, in Panipat, a level
plain suitable for cavalry movements about 50 miles (80 kilometres) north of Delhi

Q4. Examine the nature of state in early medieval India. Can it be termed 'feodal’?

Answer; The nature of state during Medieval India was diverse and complex, varying across regions
and ruling dynasties. It witnessed the emergence of powerful empires and kingdoms. The state was
generally characterized by a centralized and hierarchical structure, where the ruler held ultimate
authority. The state relied on a complex bureaucracy to manage its affairs, and law and order were
enforced through a system of courts and police. Religion played a significant role in the functioning
of the state, with rulers often patronizing different religious communities.

Nature Of State Under Delhi Sultanate

The Delhi Sultanate was a period of Islamic rule in India that lasted from the 13th to the 16th century.
During this time, the nature of state underwent significant changes. The Delhi Sultanate was founded
by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in 1206. It was initially a military state with a centralized government. Aibak
was succeeded by a series of other sultans who continued to expand the empire through conquest.

 The nature of state changed over time. The early sultans focused on consolidating power,
while later, sultans worked to establish a stable administration. This included creating a
complex bureaucracy and developing a legal system.
 The Delhi Sultanate was an Islamic state. It was ruled by Muslim sultans who saw themselves
as defenders of Islam. They imposed a tax on non-Muslims called the jizya, which helped
fund their military campaigns.
 The Sultans were absolute rulers. They had complete control over the state and its citizens.
They were advised by a council of ministers but ultimately made all decisions themselves.
 The state was organized into provinces called Iqtas. Each Iqta was ruled by a governor who
was appointed by the sultan. The governor had a lot of power and was responsible for
collecting taxes, maintaining law and order, and protecting the province from invasion.

Q5. Critically analyze salient features of the Chola state.

Answer; The Cholas possessed an efficient army and navy. The army was made of 70 regiments. Chola
kings imported highly efficient Arabian horses at a very high price. The Chola king acted as the chief
justice, as the trial in major cases were conducted by the king himself.

The administration was headed by the king. The Chola kingship was hereditary in nature. As per the
Chola royal family tradition, the eldest son succeeded the king to the Chola throne. The heir apparent was
called Yuvaraja. The tiger was the royal emblem of Chola kings. The king was assisted in his work by a
council of ministers. The lower officials were called Siruntaram while higher officials were called
Peruntaram.

The whole Empire had been divided into nine provinces called mandalams. Each province was headed by
a viceroy who received orders from the king.

Each Mandalam was divided into number of Kottams or Valanadus which was further sub-divided into
Nadu. Each Nadu was further divided into villages called Urs.

Chola government depended mainly on the land revenue as the main source of income. 1/6 of the land
produce was collected as tax. Besides land revenue, customs and tolls were the other source of income for
the empire. Moreover, taxes on ports, forests and mines contributed to the treasure of the king.
The Cholas possessed an efficient army and navy. The army was made of 70 regiments. Chola kings
imported highly efficient Arabian horses at a very high price.

The Chola king acted as the chief justice, as the trial in major cases were conducted by the king himself.
The minor disputes at the village level were heard by the village assembly.

One of the most important administrative units of the Cholas was Nadu. Each Nadu was headed by a
Nattar while the council of Nadu was named Nattavai. The responsibility of the village administration
was entrusted to the village assembly called Grama Sabha, the lowest unit of the Chola administration. It
was involved in the maintenance of roads, tanks, temples and public ponds. The village assembly was
also in charge of payment of taxes due from the villages to the King’s treasure.

The village administration was carried on effectively by Variyams who used to be the male members of
the society. There were types of Variams. For example the justice was administered by Niyaya Variyam
while temples were looked after by the Dharma variyan. The control of the finance was given to the Pon
Variyam.

Chola Architecture

The architecture in Chola Empire flourished and reached its culmination post 850 AD. The most
sophisticated buildings in the form of temples were built during this era.

The main features of the Chola architecture are as following:-

• The Shiva Temple of Thanjore/Thanjavur, the largest and tallest of all Indian temples was built during
Chola period.

• The Chola Temples had the Dvarapalas or guardian figures at the entrance to the Mandapa (hall).

• The temples had fully developed Dravidian Style.

• Ganas were the most memorable figures made in the temples.