Q. Consider the following statements regarding the Sayyid rulers and their relationship with the Timurid Empire:
1.Khizr Khan, the founder of the dynasty, never assumed the title of Sultan, preferring to use the title of Rayat-i-Ala (Exalted Standard) and ruling in the name of the Timurids.
2.The dynasty maintained a stable and continuous tradition of coinage, minting gold and silver currency under the full sovereign title of Sultan of Delhi.
3.The reign of Mubarak Shah was marked by the peaceful assimilation of Afghan nobles, which strengthened the Sultanate’s central control.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: A
Notes:
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct. Khizr Khan formally accepted the overlordship of the Timurid ruler Shah Rukh (Timur’s son) and chose the lesser title of Rayat-i-Ala, ruling as a Timurid deputy rather than an independent Sultan.
- Statement 2: Incorrect. Due to the weak economic and political state, the Sayyids issued few coins, and the currency often bore the names of the previous Tughlaq rulers or the Sayyid ruler in his capacity as a Timurid vassal, reflecting a lack of full sovereignty.
- Statement 3: Incorrect. Mubarak Shah’s reign was marked by significant internal conflicts with various nobles and the rising power of Afghan factions (like the Lodis), which eventually led to the Sayyids’ downfall.
