UPSC Prelims 2004 Q18: Medieval History – Delhi Sultanate
Who was the last ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate?
- (a) Firoj Shah Tughlaq
- (b) Ghiyas - ud - din Tughlaq Shah II
- (c) Nasir - ud - din Mahmud
- (d) Nasrat Shah
Answer: (c) Nasir - ud - din Mahmud
Explanation
Last ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty
| Ruler | Position |
|---|---|
| Firoz Shah Tughlaq | Third ruler, died 1388 |
| Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq Shah II | Short reign, 1388-89 |
| Nasiruddin Mahmud | Last Tughlaq ruler; Timur sacked Delhi in 1398 |
| Nusrat Shah | Rival claimant |
Nasir-ud-din Mahmud was the last ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty; Timur invaded Delhi in his time (1398).
Answer: (c) Nasir-ud-din Mahmud.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Firoz Shah died in 1388, well before the dynasty ended.
- (b) Incorrect. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq II ruled only briefly.
- (c) CORRECT. Nasiruddin Mahmud was the last Tughlaq ruler.
- (d) Incorrect. Nusrat Shah was a rival claimant, not the last ruler.
Key point
Tughlaqs: Ghiyasuddin, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Firoz Shah, then weak rulers to Mahmud (1394-1413).
Remember
Nasiruddin Mahmud was the last Tughlaq ruler.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Firoz Shah as the last ruler.
- Mixing the last Tughlaq with the first Sayyid ruler Khizr Khan.
- Forgetting that Timur's 1398 raid came under Mahmud.
Exam tip
Dynasties of Delhi: Slave, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi.
Sources
- Satish Chandra — Medieval India
- NCERT Class VII History — Our Pasts II — The Delhi Sultans