UPSC Prelims 2021 Q38: Medieval History – Delhi Sultanate
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 only
Explanation
Medieval India: Timing of Foreign Interventions
| Statement | Claim | Verdict | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chengiz Khan reached Indus during Iltutmish's reign | TRUE | Iltutmish (r. 1210-1236) was Delhi Sultan when Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in 1221 chasing Khwarezm prince Jalal-ud-din. Iltutmish wisely avoided provoking the Mongols by refusing asylum to Jalal-ud-din. |
| 2 | Taimur crossed Indus under Muhammad bin Tughluq | FALSE | Taimur invaded India in 1398 during Nasiruddin Mahmud Tughluq's reign (last Tughluq), NOT during Muhammad bin Tughluq (r. 1325-51). |
| 3 | Vasco da Gama arrived during Deva Raya II | FALSE | Vasco da Gama reached Calicut on 20 May 1498 during the reign of Immadi Narasimha Raya of Vijayanagara and Zamorin Manavikraman of Calicut. Deva Raya II ruled 1424-1446 (much earlier). |
Only statement 1 is correct. Answer: (a).
Answer: (a) 1 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Only statement 1 is correct - Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in 1221 during Iltutmish's Delhi Sultanate reign (1210-1236).
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 2 is wrong - Taimur invaded in 1398, not during Muhammad bin Tughluq.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 3 is wrong - Vasco da Gama reached India in 1498, not during Deva Raya II (1424-46).
- (d) Incorrect. Both statements 2 and 3 are chronologically wrong.
Key point
Chengiz Khan at Indus = 1221 (Iltutmish). Taimur invades India = 1398 (Nasiruddin Mahmud Tughluq, not Muhammad bin Tughluq). Vasco da Gama at Calicut = 1498 (post-Deva Raya II era). Only statement 1 is correct.
Remember
Statement 1 is correct: Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in 1221 during Iltutmish's reign (1210-36), pursuing Khwarezm prince Jalal-ud-din. Statement 2 is wrong (Taimur invaded in 1398, not under Muhammad bin Tughluq). Statement 3 is wrong (Vasco da Gama came in 1498, not during Deva Raya II). Answer: (a).
Common mistakes
- Confusing Muhammad bin Tughluq (1325-51) with Nasiruddin Mahmud Tughluq (1394-1412, during whose reign Taimur invaded).
- Not knowing Iltutmish's diplomatic wisdom in refusing asylum to Jalal-ud-din - which saved Delhi from Mongol invasion.
- Confusing Vasco da Gama's arrival (1498) with earlier Portuguese arrivals or Deva Raya II's era (1424-46).
Exam tip
Key medieval dates: Chengiz Khan at Indus (1221, Iltutmish), Taimur invades (1398, Nasiruddin Mahmud Tughluq, Sack of Delhi), Babur First Battle of Panipat (1526), Vasco da Gama at Calicut (1498). Match invader to Delhi Sultan carefully.
Sources
- Satish Chandra - Medieval India (Vol I): From Sultanate to Mughals
- R.S. Sharma - India's Ancient Past; K.A. Nilakanta Sastri - A History of South India