UPSC Prelims Marathon 13 November - Lodi Dynasty and administration, economy, art, and literature of the Delhi Sultanate

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We are posting prelims marathon MCQs for today. In this initiative, you can attempt 10 subjectwise MCQs daily. Daily Quiz UPSC Prelims Marathon 13 November 2025. Lodi Dynasty and administration, economy, art, and literature of the Delhi Sultanate

For schedule, refer to the archive link given below. Best UPSC institute In Delhi,

For the Prelims Marathon archive – click here,

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Question No. 1

With reference to the nature of the monarchy and administration under the Lodi Dynasty, consider the following statements:
1.Sultan Bahlul Lodi fostered a concept of the Sultan as ‘first among equals’ by refusing to sit on the throne in the presence of his Afghan nobles, thereby maintaining a tribal confederacy structure.
2.Sikandar Lodi attempted to centralize the monarchy, compelling the nobles to submit statements of their accounts for state audit and enforcing formal respect for the Sultan’s Farmans (decrees).
3.The reign of Ibrahim Lodi witnessed the peak of Afghan tribal decentralization, as he never attempted to assert the Sultan’s absolute authority over the powerful regional chiefs.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

AOnly one

BOnly two

CAll three

DNone

Question No. 2

Which of the following statements correctly reflect the administrative and cultural achievements of Sultan Sikandar Lodi?
1.He founded the city of Agra and subsequently shifted the Sultanate’s capital there from Delhi to better control the strategic route to the eastern and southern domains.
2.He introduced the Gazz-i-Sikandari, a standardized unit of land measurement equivalent to 32 digits, which was used for land revenue assessment for nearly two centuries.
3.Under his patronage, the Sanskrit work on music, Rag Darpan, was translated into Persian, and he himself wrote Persian verses under the pen name Gul Rukhi.
Select the correct code:

A1 and 2 only

B2 and 3 only

C1 and 3 only

D1, 2 and 3

Question No. 3

With reference to the office of the Sultan and the Central Administration of the Delhi Sultanate, consider the following statements:
1.The Sultan was theoretically bound to rule according to the principles of Sharia (Islamic Law), but the most powerful Sultans often interpreted the law or relied on Zawabit (state laws) for secular governance.
2.The position of the Naib (Deputy Sultan) was initially subordinate to the Wazir but rose to prominence under Sultans like Balban, representing a check on the Sultan’s absolute authority.
3.The Sultan was considered a completely independent sovereign, entirely disconnected from the authority of the Abbasid Caliphate in Baghdad after the latter’s destruction by the Mongols.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

AOnly one

BOnly two

CAll three

DNone

Question No. 4

Match the following Central Administrative Officials of the Delhi Sultanate with their principal function:
OfficialFunction
I.Ariz-i-Mamalik1. Head of the Military Department
II.Mustaufi-i-Mamalik2. Auditor General (Central Accountant)
III.Amir-i-Akhur3. Officer-in-Charge of the Royal Stables
IV.Dabir-i-Khas4. Head of the Department of Royal Correspondence
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

AOnly two

BOnly three

COnly four

DOnly one

Question No. 5

Arrange the following administrative units of the Delhi Sultanate in the correct descending order of their size (from largest to smallest):
1.Shiq
2.Iqta / Suba
3.Pargana
4.Village (Gram)
Select the correct code:

A2 - 1 - 3 - 4

B1 - 2 - 3 - 4

C2 - 3 - 1 - 4

D1 - 3 - 2 - 4

Question No. 6

With reference to the economy and technology of the Delhi Sultanate, consider the following pairs:
TermContext / Meaning
1.KharajLand tax on non-Muslims, generally 1/5th to 1/2 of the produce.
2.RehantA new technological device used primarily for spinning cotton fibers.
3.TankaStandard copper coin issued by Iltutmish, replaced by the billon coin under later Sultans.
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

AOnly one

BOnly two

CAll three

DNone

Question No. 7

Which of the following features are characteristic of the Lodhi style of architecture (a subset of Indo-Islamic architecture)?
1.The introduction of the double dome system to provide strength to the structure and reduce the internal ceiling height.
2.The use of the True Arch (voussoir technique) as the primary method for constructing entrances and interior vaulting.
3.The use of buildings with an external appearance of two storeys but containing a single large hall inside, such as the Bara Gumbad.
Select the correct code:

A1 and 2 only

B2 and 3 only

C1 and 3 only

D1, 2 and 3

Question No. 8

With reference to the development of music during the Delhi Sultanate period, consider the following statements:
1.Amir Khusrau is credited with evolving the light musical style of Qawwali by synthesizing the Persian and Indian musical traditions.
2.New musical instruments such as the Sitar and Tabla were invented and popularized by the efforts of Amir Khusrau.
3.The Sanskrit treatise on music, Man Kautuhal, was composed during this period under the patronage of Raja Man Singh Tomar of Gwalior.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 only

B1 and 2 only

C1 and 3 only

D1, 2 and 3

Question No. 9

Consider the following works of history that flourished under the patronage of the Delhi Sultans:
1.Tabaqat-i-Nasiri: A detailed general history written by Minhaj-us-Siraj, dedicated to Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud.
2.Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi: Written by Ziauddin Barani, chronicling the history from the time of Balban up to the early years of Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s reign.
3.Tughlaq Nama: A historical mathnavi (epic poem) by Amir Khusrau, detailing the rise of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.
How many of the above statements are correct?

AOnly one

BOnly two

CAll three

DNone

Question No. 10

With reference to the literary and linguistic developments during the Sultanate period, consider the following:
1.The translation of Sanskrit works into Persian was actively patronized, most notably Tutinama (Tales of a Parrot), which was a Persian translation of a Sanskrit text by Zia Nakshabi.
2.Persian was the official language of the court and administration, prompting a significant number of Hindus to learn it and be inducted into the revenue administration.
3.The growth of regional languages, such as Bengali and Marathi, declined rapidly due to the overwhelming patronage given solely to Persian and Arabic literature by the Sultanate rulers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 and 2 only

B2 and 3 only

C1 only

D1, 2 and 3

Total Number of Questions :

Total Not Attempted Questions :

Total Correct :

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For schedule, refer to the archive link given below. Best UPSC institute In Delhi,

For the Prelims Marathon archive – click here,

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