UPSC Prelims 2002 Q5: Medieval History – Delhi Sultanate
The historian Barani refused to consider the state in India under Delhi Sultans as truly Islamic
because
- (a) the majority of the population did not follow Islam
- (b) the Muslim theologists were often disregarded
- (c) the Sultan supplemented the Muslim law by framing his own regulations
- (d) religious freedom was accorded to non - Muslims
Answer: (c) the Sultan supplemented the Muslim law by framing his own regulations
Explanation
Why Barani refused to call the Sultanate state truly Islamic
| Idea | Barani's position |
|---|---|
| Shariat as the only law | A truly Islamic state rules only by the Quran, Hadith and Fiqh |
| Zawabit | Sultans such as Alauddin Khalji and Muhammad bin Tughlaq framed their own regulations (zawabit) above the Muslim law |
| Barani's work | Fatawa-i-Jahandari and Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi argue for a state serving the faith |
| Resulting view | Because the Sultan supplemented the Shariat with his own rules, the state was not fully Islamic |
The historian Ziauddin Barani held that a ruler must enforce Islamic law. He criticised the Sultans who issued secular decrees, zawabit, to deal with problems the Shariat did not cover. That is why he refused to treat the Delhi Sultanate as a truly Islamic state.
Answer: (c) the Sultan supplemented the Muslim law by framing his own regulations.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Barani did not argue from the population; he argued from law.
- (b) Incorrect. Theologians (ulama) were consulted, though not always followed; this was not his main objection.
- (c) CORRECT. The Sultans' own regulations, the zawabit, set aside the Shariat.
- (d) Incorrect. Barani opposed leniency to non-Muslims, so religious freedom was not the reason.
Key point
Zawabit = state regulations framed by the Sultan; Barani's ideal was a Shariat-bound Muslim ruler.
Remember
Barani: the Sultanate was not purely Islamic because Sultans framed zawabit.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the majority did not follow Islam, a demographic argument Barani did not make.
- Confusing Barani with Amir Khusrau or Ibn Battuta.
- Overlooking that the question asks for Barani's reason, not a general fact.
Exam tip
Link Barani to zawabit; the reason is always the Sultan's own law-making.
Sources
- Satish Chandra — Medieval India
- NCERT Class XI — Themes in Indian History