UPSC Prelims 2006 Q20: Medieval History – Delhi Sultanate
Assertion (A): Muhammad bin Tughlaq issued a new gold coin which was called Dinar by Ibn
Batutah.
Reason (R): Muhammad bin Tughlaq wanted to issue token currency in gold coins to promote
trade with West Asian and North African countries.
- (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- (b) Both A and R are true but R is not a correct explanation of A
- (c) A is true but R is false
- (d) A is false but R is true
Answer: (c) A is true but R is false
Explanation
Muhammad bin Tughlaq's coinage
| Part | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| Assertion (A): He issued a new gold coin called Dinar by Ibn Batutah | True: Ibn Battuta used 'dinar' for the Sultan's gold coin |
| Reason (R): He wanted token currency in gold coins to promote trade with West Asia and North Africa | False: his famous token currency (1329-30) used copper and brass coins valued at silver tankas, not gold |
So A is true but R is false.
Answer: (c) A is true but R is false.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. R is false; his token currency was copper or brass, not gold.
- (b) Incorrect. R is false, so it cannot even be a true but unrelated reason.
- (c) CORRECT. Ibn Battuta did call the gold coin a dinar, but the token currency was not made of gold.
- (d) Incorrect. A is true, since the gold dinar is attested by Ibn Battuta.
Key point
The gold dinar is attested by Ibn Battuta, but Muhammad bin Tughlaq's token currency was made of copper and brass, not gold.
Remember
Tughlaq's token currency was copper/brass, not gold.
Common mistakes
- Assuming his token currency was gold.
- Forgetting that it was introduced to cover the shortage of silver.
- Mixing Ibn Battuta's account with the later forging of the tokens.
Exam tip
Token currency = copper/brass coins at silver value; gold coins were the dinar.
Sources
- NCERT Class VII History — Our Pasts II — The Delhi Sultans
- Ibn Battuta — The Rihla (Travels of Ibn Battuta, translated by H. A. R. Gibb)
- Satish Chandra — Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals, Part One (Delhi Sultanate, 1206–1526)