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The Khalji dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate was founded in 1290 by:
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Answer: Option B — Jalaluddin Firuz Khalji
Detailed Solution
The Khalji dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate was founded in 1290 by Jalaluddin Firuz Khalji.
How he came to power:
- After Balban's death in 1287, his grandson Kaiqubad became Sultan, but he was weak and pleasure-loving.
- The court was divided between the Turkish nobles and other groups.
- Jalaluddin, an experienced noble who was in charge of the army (Ariz-i-Mumalik), took power.
- Kaiqubad was killed, and his infant son Kayumars was briefly placed on the throne and then removed.
- Jalaluddin became Sultan in June 1290, at the age of about 70.
The "Khalji revolution":
- The rise of the Khaljis is often called the "Khalji revolution", because it ended the monopoly of the old Turkish nobility over high offices.
- The Khaljis were of Turkish origin but had lived for a long time in Afghanistan, and were regarded by the old Turkish nobles as of lower status.
- After this, people of non-Turkish and humble origins could rise to high positions, based on ability.
His reign:
- He ruled from 1290 to 1296.
- He made Kilokhri (near Delhi) his capital, as he was not welcome in the city of Delhi at first.
- He was known for his mild, kind and tolerant policies, and tried to rule with generosity rather than force.
- He pardoned many rebels, including a nephew of Balban who had rebelled.
- His leniency was criticised by the nobles, who considered him weak.
- He repulsed a Mongol invasion, and allowed some Mongols who had accepted Islam to settle near Delhi (the "new Muslims").
His death:
In 1296, he was murdered at Kara (near Allahabad) by his nephew and son-in-law, who then became Sultan.
The Khalji dynasty:
- Jalaluddin Firuz Khalji (1290-1296).
- Alauddin Khalji (1296-1316).
- Shihabuddin Umar and Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah.
- The dynasty ended when Mubarak Shah was murdered by his favourite, a converted noble.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Alauddin Khalji was the greatest ruler of the dynasty.
- ✗Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah was a later ruler.
- ✗Ghiyasuddin Khalji ruled Malwa.
Quick tip
Remember: Khalji dynasty founded by Jalaluddin Firuz Khalji (1290; capital Kilokhri; "Khalji revolution"); murdered by his nephew at Kara (1296).
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Delhi Sultanate — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Delhi Sultanate, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
The Delhi Sultanate ruled much of northern India from 1206 to 1526 under five dynasties: the Slave (Mamluk), Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodi dynasties. This topic covers its rulers, administration, market and revenue reforms, architecture and the foreign invasions of the period. Typical questions cover the founder of each dynasty, Alauddin Khalji's market reforms, Muhammad bin Tughlaq's token currency and transfer of the capital, and Firoz Shah Tughlaq's public works. The First Battle of Panipat (1526), in which Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi, ended the Sultanate. Keep the five dynasties in order with their founders. Practise the Delhi Sultanate questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.