UPSC CSE Prelims
Question 49
With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements :
- The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
- During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
- Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
View correct answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Correct Option: B (2 only)
Explanation: Mongols reached India well before the Khaljis; they besieged Delhi during Alauddin Khalji’s reign, while the attribution to Muhammad bin Tughlaq is not accepted here.
Statement / Pair / Item-wise Analysis:
1. False / does not qualify - Mongol forces reached the Indus frontier in 1221 under Chinggis Khan, during the Delhi Sultanate’s early period.
2. True / qualifies - A large Mongol attack advanced to and besieged Delhi in 1303 under Alauddin Khalji.
3. False / does not qualify - The claim that Muhammad bin Tughlaq temporarily lost north-west portions specifically to Mongols is not the accepted historical event.
Option-wise Analysis:
A. Incorrect-includes 1 even though Mongol forces reached the Indus frontier in 1221 under Chinggis Khan, during the Delhi Sultanate’s early period.
B. Correct-selects exactly the correct statements/items identified above.
C. Incorrect-includes 1 even though Mongol forces reached the Indus frontier in 1221 under Chinggis Khan, during the Delhi Sultanate’s early period.; includes 3 even though The claim that Muhammad bin Tughlaq temporarily lost north-west portions specifically to Mongols is not the accepted historical event.; omits 2 even though A large Mongol attack advanced to and besieged Delhi in 1303 under Alauddin Khalji.
D. Incorrect-includes 3 even though The claim that Muhammad bin Tughlaq temporarily lost north-west portions specifically to Mongols is not the accepted historical event.; omits 2 even though A large Mongol attack advanced to and besieged Delhi in 1303 under Alauddin Khalji.