Frontier Policies under Delhi Sultanate and Mughals – UGC NET History – Practice Questions

The North West Frontier Policy during the Sultanate Period

1. The North-West Frontier of India was particularly vulnerable to invasions during:
A) Ancient and medieval periods
B) Colonial period only
C) Gupta period only
D) Post-independence era

2. During the Sultanate period, the North-West Frontier mainly comprised:
A) Vindhya mountains and Bengal
B) Hindu Kush Mountains along with Kabul, Gazni, and Gandhar
C) Aravalli hills and Rajasthan
D) Kashmir valley alone

3. Which Central Asian group created major challenges for Delhi Sultans?
A) Huns
B) Turks
C) Afghans
D) Mongols

4. The Mongol ruler who expanded from Japan to Central Asia was:
A) Timur
B) Halaku
C) Changzeb Khan (Genghis Khan)
D) Tarmashirin

5. Jalal-ud-Din, who sought refuge in India during Iltutmish’s reign, was the ruler of:
A) Persia
B) Khwarizm
C) Afghanistan
D) Samarkand

6. Sultan Iltutmish diplomatically avoided Mongol conflict by:
A) Arresting Jalal-ud-Din
B) Supporting Mongols militarily
C) Declaring war on Mongols
D) Sending Jalal-ud-Din back citing unsuitable climate

7. The first Mongol invasion of India during the Delhi Sultanate took place in:
A) 1221
B) 1236
C) 1241
D) 1290

8. During the first Mongol invasion, which city was plundered heavily?
A) Delhi
B) Agra
C) Lahore
D) Ajmer

9. Which Sultan failed to effectively resist the Mongol invasion of 1241?
A) Iltutmish
B) Nasir-ud-Din
C) Balban
D) Bahram Shah

10. Following the Mongol invasions during Bahram Shah’s reign, which provinces became independent?
A) Bengal and Bihar
B) Delhi and Lahore
C) Gujarat and Malwa
D) Sind and Multan

11. Match List I with List II regarding rulers and Mongol-related events.

A) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
B) A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
C) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
D) A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2

12. Assertion (A): Iltutmish openly welcomed Jalal-ud-Din into India.
Reason (R): He feared provoking Mongol hostility.

A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C) A is true but R is false
D) A is false but R is true

13. Assertion (A): Political developments in Central Asia helped India escape Mongol fury during Iltutmish’s reign.
Reason (R): Mongols withdrew from Indian frontiers due to political exigencies.

A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C) A is true but R is false
D) A is false but R is true

14. During Nasir-ud-Din’s reign, the Mongols besieged:
A) Delhi
B) Samana
C) Lahore
D) Multan

15. The governor of Multan paid war indemnity of:
A) Rs. 50,000
B) Rs. 75,000
C) Rs. 1 lakh
D) Rs. 2 lakh

16. Under Mongol control during Nasir-ud-Din’s reign came:
A) Bengal and Bihar
B) Gujarat and Rajasthan
C) Multan and Western Punjab
D) Delhi and Agra

17. Balban understood Mongol strength and therefore:
A) Ignored frontier policy
B) Shifted capital to Lahore
C) Maintained constant vigilance over the frontier
D) Allied with Mongols permanently

18. Balban avoided long military expeditions because:
A) He lacked resources
B) He wanted to secure Delhi against Mongol invasions
C) Nobles opposed expansion
D) He feared rebellions in Bengal only

19. For defensive purposes, Balban divided the North-West Frontier into:
A) One zone
B) Two parts
C) Four parts
D) Six parts

20. Which among the following became frontier provinces under Balban?
A) Delhi and Bengal
B) Gujarat and Malwa
C) Multan, Samana, and Dipalpur
D) Ajmer and Ranthambore

21. Match List I with List II regarding Balban’s frontier administration.

A) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
B) A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
C) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
D) A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2

22. Assertion (A): Balban appointed trusted relatives as governors of frontier provinces.
Reason (R): He feared Mongol invasions and wanted dependable defence.

A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C) A is true but R is false
D) A is false but R is true

23. Assertion (A): Balban neglected military preparedness in Delhi.
Reason (R): He maintained a large army in a state of readiness at Delhi.

A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C) A is false but R is true
D) A is true but R is false

24. Balban appointed his eldest son Muhammad as governor of:
A) Gujarat
B) Bengal
C) Sind, Multan, and Lahore
D) Ajmer and Ranthambore

25. Bughra Khan was appointed governor of:
A) Multan
B) Lahore
C) Dipalpur
D) Delhi

26. Sher Khan Shangar, Balban’s cousin, was appointed governor of:
A) Delhi
B) Multan
C) Bengal
D) Ajmer

27. One major military step taken by Balban was:
A) Abolition of forts
B) Peace treaty with Mongols
C) Construction of strong forts at strategic points
D) Withdrawal from frontier regions

28. Balban improved frontier defence by:
A) Removing military personnel from forts
B) Posting experienced and trained soldiers in forts
C) Destroying old forts
D) Reducing army expenditure

29. During the biggest Mongol invasion of Balban’s reign in 1285:
A) Delhi was captured
B) Balban surrendered
C) Muhammad Khan was killed
D) Mongols annexed Punjab permanently

30. Balban died mainly due to grief over the death of:
A) Bughra Khan
B) Sher Khan
C) Nasiruddin Mahmud
D) Muhammad Khan

31. Match List I with List II regarding Mongol invasions and rulers.

A) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
B) A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
C) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
D) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

32. Assertion (A): Jalal-ud-Din Khalji personally fought against Mongols near Samana.
Reason (R): He defeated the Mongols and killed many of them.

A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C) A is true but R is false
D) A is false but R is true

33. Assertion (A): Jalal-ud-Din Khalji expelled all Mongols from India permanently.
Reason (R): Many Mongols embraced Islam and settled near Delhi.

A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C) A is false but R is true
D) A is true but R is false

34. Jalal-ud-Din Khalji allowed Mongols to settle:
A) In Bengal
B) Near Multan
C) Near the vicinity of Delhi
D) In Gujarat

35. Jalal-ud-Din strengthened relations with Mongols by:
A) Giving them governorships
B) Marrying his daughter to a Mongol officer
C) Granting military control of Punjab
D) Converting to Buddhism

36. Ala-ud-Din Khalji faced approximately:
A) Two invasions
B) Five invasions
C) More than a dozen Mongol invasions
D) Twenty-five invasions

37. Ala-ud-Din adopted which strategy against Mongols after some invasions?
A) Pure diplomacy
B) Defensive retreat only
C) Offensive warfare
D) Alliance with Timur

38. Zafar Khan, the famous general of Ala-ud-Din, was also called:
A) Ghazi Malik
B) Rustam-a-Hind
C) Sher Khan
D) Tughlaq Shah

39. The Mongol soldiers mocked their horses asking whether they had seen:
A) Ala-ud-Din Khalji
B) Balban
C) Changzeb Khan
D) Zafar Khan

40. Ala-ud-Din repaired old forts and:
A) Reduced frontier troops
B) Posted seasoned officers and soldiers there
C) Abandoned Dipalpur
D) Relocated the capital to Lahore

41. Match List I with List II regarding Ala-ud-Din Khalji’s frontier measures.

A) A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
B) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
C) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
D) A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4

42. Assertion (A): Ala-ud-Din Khalji created a permanent army for frontier defence.
Reason (R): Frequent Mongol invasions posed a major threat to Delhi Sultanate.

A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C) A is true but R is false
D) A is false but R is true

43. Assertion (A): Ala-ud-Din ignored military manufacturing.
Reason (R): He established armament factories under skilled engineers.

A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C) A is false but R is true
D) A is true but R is false

44. Ala-ud-Din appointed a special governor for:
A) Bengal
B) Gujarat
C) Deccan
D) North-West Frontier

45. Which frontier areas received strong military deployments under Ala-ud-Din?
A) Agra, Delhi, Bengal
B) Gujarat, Malwa, Ajmer
C) Dipalpur, Samana, and Multan
D) Kashmir, Lahore, Kabul

46. Which generals were entrusted with defence of the frontier under Ala-ud-Din?
A) Bughra Khan and Sher Khan
B) Malik Kafur and Nusrat Khan
C) Balban and Muhammad Khan
D) Zafar Khan and Ghazi Malik

47. Siri Fort was mainly constructed to:
A) Expand trade routes
B) House Mongol refugees
C) Protect Delhi from Mongol invasions
D) Replace old forts in Punjab

48. Ala-ud-Din’s market reforms aimed to:
A) Encourage trade with Mongols
B) Promote luxury goods
C) Increase noble incomes
D) Provide cheap essentials to army personnel

49. According to Barani and Ferishta, after Ala-ud-Din’s success:
A) Mongols conquered Delhi repeatedly
B) Sultanate paid tribute to Mongols
C) Mongols became defensive against Ala-ud-Din’s troops
D) Mongol invasions increased sharply

50. Which able general of Ala-ud-Din died during Mongol invasions?
A) Ghazi Malik
B) Malik Kafur
C) Zafar Khan
D) Nusrat Khan

51. Match List I with List II regarding Sultanate rulers and Mongol response.

A) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
B) A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
C) A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
D) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2

52. Assertion (A): Ala-ud-Din Khalji completely failed in his frontier policy.
Reason (R): Mongol aggression almost disappeared due to his measures.

A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C) A is true but R is false
D) A is false but R is true

53. Assertion (A): Zafar Khan’s bravery inspired fear among Mongol soldiers.
Reason (R): Mongol soldiers jokingly frightened horses using his name.

A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C) A is true but R is false
D) A is false but R is true

54. During Ghiyas-ud-Din Tughlaq’s reign:
A) Mongols conquered Delhi
B) No invasion occurred
C) One Mongol invasion took place but was defeated
D) Frontier forts collapsed

55. The Mongols invaded during Muhammad Tughlaq’s reign under:
A) Timur
B) Halaku
C) Changzeb Khan
D) Tarmashirin

56. Historians differ regarding Muhammad Tughlaq because:
A) He abdicated the throne
B) Some claim he defeated Mongols while others say he bribed them
C) He surrendered Delhi permanently
D) He allied with Timur

57. Timur’s invasion proved destructive mainly because:
A) He established permanent rule immediately
B) He massacred Delhi’s population for several days
C) He destroyed Punjab only
D) He converted Delhi into a Mongol capital

58. Timur’s invasion ultimately paved the way for:
A) Khalji dynasty
B) Slave dynasty revival
C) Babur’s invasion and Mughal rule
D) Rajput supremacy

59. A major financial consequence of Mongol invasions was:
A) Increase in maritime trade
B) Heavy expenditure on maintaining a large army
C) Reduction in taxes
D) Elimination of frontier forts

60. Ala-ud-Din Khalji reportedly increased land revenue up to:
A) One-fourth of produce
B) One-third of produce
C) 50% of produce
D) 75% of produce

61. Match List I with List II regarding Tughlaq rulers and Mongol invasions.

A) A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3
B) A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2
C) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
D) A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4

62. Assertion (A): Muhammad Tughlaq’s policy toward Mongols is unanimously accepted by historians.
Reason (R): Historians differ on whether he defeated or bribed the Mongols.

A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C) A is true but R is false
D) A is false but R is true

63. Assertion (A): Timur’s invasion had long-term consequences for Indian history.
Reason (R): It facilitated the later invasion of Babur.

A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C) A is true but R is false
D) A is false but R is true

64. Increased military expenditure due to Mongol invasions negatively affected:
A) Trade guilds only
B) Religious institutions only
C) Financial resources of the Delhi Sultanate
D) European trade

65. The increased land revenue under Ala-ud-Din adversely affected:
A) Nobles alone
B) Urban merchants only
C) Foreign traders only
D) Agriculture and peasants

66. Balban’s grief over the death of Muhammad Khan contributed to:
A) Rise of Tughlaqs
B) Expansion of Delhi Sultanate
C) Decline of the Slave Dynasty
D) End of Mongol invasions

67. Which military commander of Ala-ud-Din was lost during Mongol invasions?
A) Ghazi Malik
B) Nusrat Khan
C) Zafar Khan
D) Bughra Khan

68. The “new Muslims” who later troubled Ala-ud-Din were:
A) Rajputs converted to Islam
B) Turkish nobles
C) Mongols settled near Delhi during Jalal-ud-Din’s reign
D) Afghan soldiers

69. The strategic significance of the North-West Frontier lay in:
A) Maritime trade only
B) Agricultural productivity
C) Religious pilgrimages
D) Its vulnerability to repeated invasions

70. Which region historically formed part of India’s medieval North-West Frontier?
A) Bengal
B) Gujarat
C) Kabul
D) Tamil Nadu

71. Match List I with List II regarding effects of Mongol invasions.

A) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
B) A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
C) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
D) A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2

72. Assertion (A): The Mongol invasions strengthened agriculture in the Sultanate.
Reason (R): Higher taxation burden worsened peasant conditions.

A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C) A is true but R is false
D) A is false but R is true

73. Assertion (A): Jalal-ud-Din Khalji’s Mongol settlement policy had later consequences.
Reason (R): The converted Mongols created problems for Ala-ud-Din Khalji.

A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation
B) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation
C) A is true but R is false
D) A is false but R is true

74. Which Sultan is most associated with a systematic frontier defence policy?
A) Bahram Shah
B) Nasir-ud-Din
C) Balban
D) Qutb-ud-Din Aibak

75. Which Sultan shifted from defensive to offensive measures against Mongols?
A) Iltutmish
B) Balban
C) Firoz Tughlaq
D) Ala-ud-Din Khalji

76. The strongest fortification built around Delhi under Ala-ud-Din was:
A) Tughlaqabad
B) Purana Qila
C) Red Fort
D) Siri Fort wall

77. Which Sultan used market reforms partly to support military needs?
A) Balban
B) Muhammad Tughlaq
C) Ala-ud-Din Khalji
D) Ghiyas-ud-Din Tughlaq

78. The Mongols’ repeated invasions forced Delhi Sultans to prioritize:
A) Maritime expansion
B) Temple building
C) Cultural patronage
D) Military preparedness and frontier defence

79. Which among the following statements is most accurate regarding Mongol invasions in India?
A) They permanently ruled Delhi Sultanate
B) They had no impact on administration
C) They influenced military, fiscal, and frontier policies significantly
D) They only affected Punjab

80. The North-West Frontier Policy during the Sultanate period reflects:
A) Complete neglect of frontier security
B) Permanent peace with invaders
C) Exclusive reliance on diplomacy
D) Continuous adaptation of military and administrative strategies against invasions