UPSC Prelims 2001 Q98: Medieval History – Delhi Sultanate
Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
- (a) Dewan - i - bandagani … Tughlaq
- (b) Dewan - i - Mustakhraj … Balban
- (c) Dewan - i - Kohi … Alauddin Khilji
- (d) Dewan - i - Arz … Muhammad Tughlaq
Answer: (a) Dewan - i - bandagani … Tughlaq
Explanation
Correctly matched Sultanate department and ruler
| Department | Ruler who created it |
|---|---|
| Diwan-i-Bandagan (department of slaves) | Firoz Shah Tughlaq — correct as 'Tughlaq' |
| Diwan-i-Mustakhraj (arrears of revenue) | Alauddin Khalji, not Balban |
| Diwan-i-Kohi (agriculture) | Muhammad bin Tughlaq, not Alauddin |
| Diwan-i-Arz (military) | Balban, not Muhammad bin Tughlaq |
Only the first pair is right: Firoz Shah Tughlaq set up the Diwan-i-Bandagan to look after his very large number of slaves (about 1,80,000). The other three departments are linked to the wrong rulers.
Answer: (a) Dewan - i - bandagani … Tughlaq.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Firoz Shah Tughlaq created the Diwan-i-Bandagan.
- (b) Incorrect. Diwan-i-Mustakhraj was created by Alauddin Khalji.
- (c) Incorrect. Diwan-i-Kohi was created by Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
- (d) Incorrect. Diwan-i-Arz was set up by Balban.
Key point
Firoz Tughlaq also set up Diwan-i-Khairat (charity) and Diwan-i-Istihqaq (pensions).
Remember
Bandagan–Firoz; Mustakhraj–Alauddin; Kohi–Muhammad bin Tughlaq; Arz–Balban.
Common mistakes
- Giving Diwan-i-Kohi to Alauddin because of his agrarian reforms.
- Giving Diwan-i-Arz to Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
- Not knowing 'Tughlaq' here means Firoz Shah.
Exam tip
Learn Sultanate departments in a table: department, purpose, ruler.
Sources
- Satish Chandra — Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals, Part I, chapters on the Khaljis and Tughlaqs
- NCERT Class VII — Our Pasts II, chapter 'The Delhi Sultans'