NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History Chapter 3 The Delhi Sultans

NCERT Solutions for Class 7 History Chapter 3, The Delhi Sultans, help students understand how the Delhi Sultanate was established and how it became a powerful political centre in medieval India. This chapter explains the period from the thirteenth to the sixteenth century, when Delhi emerged as the capital of a large empire.

The chapter covers the five main dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate: the Mamluks (Slave Dynasty), Khaljis, Tughluqs, Sayyids, and Lodis. Students learn about important rulers such as Qutbuddin Aibak, Alauddin Khalji, Muhammad bin Tughluq, and Ibrahim Lodi. The chapter explains how these rulers governed their territories, introduced new administrative systems, and strengthened their armies.

Special attention is given to military reforms, taxation policies, and methods used to control large regions. The chapter also discusses major challenges faced by the Delhi Sultans, including repeated Mongol invasions, internal rebellions, and administrative failures. Some policies succeeded, while others caused unrest among the people.

Overall, The Delhi Sultans helps students understand how medieval rulers managed power, expanded their empires, and dealt with political challenges, shaping the course of Indian history.

Class 7 History Chapter 3 The Delhi Sultans Questions Answers

1. Which ruler first established his or her capital in Delhi? 

Ananga Pala (Tomaras) of the Rajput Dynasty first established his capital in Delhi.

2. What was the language of administration under the Delhi Sultans?

The language of administration under the Delhi Sultans was Persian.

3. In whose reign did the Sultanate reach its farthest extent?

During the reign of Muhammad Tughluq, the Sultanate reached its farthest extent and marched across a large part of the Indian subcontinent. They defeated the rival armies and seized several cities. The Sultanate also collected taxes from the peasantry and dispensed justice in its realm. 

4. From which country did Ibn Battuta travel to India?

 Ibn Battuta was a fourteenth-century traveller who came to India from Morocco, Africa.

 5. According to the “circle of justice”, why was it important for military commanders to keep the interests of the peasantry in mind?

According to the “circle of justice”, it was important for military commanders to keep the interests of the peasantry in mind because the salaries of the military commanders came from the revenue collected from peasants. However, the peasants were able to pay their revenue only when they were prosperous and happy. Thus, the military commanders promoted justice and honest governance. 

6. What is meant by the “internal” and “external” frontiers of the Sultanate?

The “internal” frontiers of the Sultanate means the consolidation of the hinterlands of the garrison towns. During these campaigns, forests were cleared in the Ganga-Yamuna doab, and hunter-gatherers and pastoralists were expelled from their habitat; these lands were handed over to the peasants. They also promoted regional trade through the establishment of New fortresses and garrison towns. The “external” frontiers of the Sultanate meant the military expeditions into southern parts of India, which started during the reign of Alauddin Khalji and ended with the reign of Muhammad Tughluq

7. What were the steps taken to ensure that muqtis performed their duties? Why do you think they may have wanted to defy the orders of the Sultans? 

The muqtis or iqtadar was a military commander appointed by the Khilji and Tughlaqs monarchs as governors of territories of varying sizes. These lands were called ‘Iqta’. The duties of the muqtis were as follows:

• To lead military campaigns and maintain law and order in their iqtas.
• The muqtis had to collect the revenues of their assignments as salary in exchange for their military services and had to pay their soldiers from these revenues.
• Control over muqtis was most effective if their office was not inheritable and if they were assigned iqtas for a short period of time before being shifted.
• Accountants were appointed by the state to check the amount of revenue collected by the muqtis. Care was taken that the muqti collected only the taxes prescribed by the state and that they kept the required number of soldiers.

8. What was the impact of the Mongol invasions on the Delhi Sultanate? Following were the impacts:

• Large standing armies against the Mongols were raised by Alauddin Khalji and Muhammad Tughlaq
• A new garrison town was constructed by Alauddin.
• Huge taxes were imposed on the farmers

9. Do you think the authors of tawarikh would provide information about the lives of ordinary men and women? 

The authors of tawarikh were men who were very learned. They were secretaries, administrators, poets and courtiers. They did not provide information about the lives ordinary men & women because:

• The authors of tawarikh used to live in cities (mainly Delhi) and not in villages
• Often they wrote histories for Sultans in the hope of getting rich rewards.
• They also advised rulers regarding their birthrights and gender distinctions.

10. Raziyya Sultan was unique in the history of the Delhi Sultanate. Do you think women leaders are accepted more readily today? 

Raziyya Sultan was unique in the history of the Delhi Sultanate because of her ability as an effective leader of the Sultanate. She was a woman ruler and thus wasn’t accepted at that time. Yes, women leaders are more readily accepted as a ruler today because of reducing gender stereotypes.

 11. Why were the Delhi Sultans interested in cutting down forests? Does deforestation occur for the same reasons today? 

In an attempt to encourage agriculture on the land, the Delhi Sultans were interested in cutting down forests. This would also help them in creating protected territories against enemies while promoting trade routes. There are a lot of similarities found between the past and present scenarios when it comes to deforestation. Even today, creation of roads, railways and promotion of industries are one of the major contributing factors to deforestation.

Mastering Class 7 History Chapter 3 Questions and Answers

Understanding the Delhi Sultanate is a vital part of grasping how North India's political landscape shifted during the medieval period. When you look into class 7 history chapter 3 questions and answers, you'll find that Delhi first became the capital of a kingdom under the Tomara Rajputs. However, it was under the Sultans that it became a powerful hub for trade and culture.

For those who prefer organized study, searching for a class 7 history chapter 3 questions and answers can provide a structured way to review the "Circle of Justice." This concept explains that a king cannot survive without soldiers, and soldiers need salaries funded by peasant revenue.

Finding Out About the Delhi Sultans

Historians rely on various sources like coins, inscriptions, and architecture to piece together this era. The most valuable sources are "Tawarikh" (singular: Tarikh), which are histories written in Persian, the official language of administration.

• The Authors: Tawarikh were written by learned men—secretaries, administrators, poets, and courtiers—who lived mostly in cities.

• The Advice: These authors often advised rulers on the need for "just governance" and preserving an "ideal" social order based on birthright and gender distinctions.

Expansion: From Garrison Towns to Empire

In the early 13th century, the control of the Delhi Sultans rarely went beyond heavily fortified towns occupied by garrisons. Controlling distant hinterlands in Bengal and Sind was extremely difficult.

1. Internal Frontier: These campaigns aimed at consolidating the hinterlands of the garrison towns. Forests were cleared in the Ganga-Yamuna doab, and pastoralists were expelled.

2. External Frontier: Military expeditions into southern India started during the reign of Alauddin Khalji and culminated with Muhammad Tughluq.

During these campaigns, Sultanate armies captured elephants, horses, and slaves and carried away precious metals, marking a massive shift in the empire's scale.

Administration and Consolidation under the Khaljis and Tughluqs

To manage such a vast empire, the Sultans needed reliable governors. Instead of appointing aristocrats, early Sultans like Iltutmish favored special slaves purchased for military service, called Bandagan.

• The Ipta System: The Sultans divided the empire into territories called Iqtas. The holders of these lands were called Iqtadars or Muqtis.

• The Muqti's Duty: Their job was to lead military campaigns and maintain law and order. In return, they collected the revenue of their assignments as salary.

The Masjid and Architecture

The Delhi Sultans built many mosques in cities all over the subcontinent. This helped them demonstrate their claims to be protectors of Islam and Muslims.

A mosque, or Masjid in Arabic, is a place where a Muslim prostrates in reverence to Allah. During prayers (Namaz), Muslims stand facing Mecca, a direction called the Qibla. In India, this is to the west.

The Sultanate in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries

After the Tughluqs, the Sayyid and Lodi dynasties ruled from Delhi and Agra until 1526. By then, independent states like Jaunpur, Bengal, Malwa, and Gujarat had flourished. This period also saw the rise of new ruling groups like the Afghans and the Rajputs. At the end of the day, the Sultanate's influence paved the way for the Mughal Empire, starting with the reign of Sher Shah Suri, whose administrative models were later followed by the great emperor Akbar.

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