Consider the following statements : 1. It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince. 2. It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus. 3. It was during the reign of Deva Raya II of Vijayanagara Empire that Vasco Da gama reached the Coast of Kerala. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1 only
Analyzing Historical Statements: Delhi Sultanate, Vijayanagara Empire, and Key Events
The question asks us to evaluate the accuracy of three statements concerning significant historical events during the reigns of specific rulers in India.
Let's break down each statement and examine its historical context.
Statement 1: Iltutmish and Chengiz Khan
The first statement claims that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus River in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince during the reign of Iltutmish.
- Iltutmish ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1211 CE to 1236 CE.
- Jalal-ud-din Mangburni, the Shah of Khwarezm, was pursued by Chengiz Khan's Mongol forces towards the Indus River around 1221 CE.
- Jalal-ud-din crossed the Indus into Punjab, seeking refuge and potentially an alliance from Iltutmish.
- Iltutmish, understanding the immense threat posed by the Mongols, wisely refused asylum and military aid to Jalal-ud-din, thereby preventing Chengiz Khan from invading the Delhi Sultanate directly in pursuit of the prince.
The event of Chengiz Khan reaching the vicinity of the Indus River while pursuing the Khwarezm prince indeed occurred around 1221 CE, which falls squarely within Iltutmish's reign (1211-1236 CE). Thus, the timing in this statement is correct.
Statement 1 is historically correct.
Statement 2: Muhammad bin Tughluq and Taimur's Invasion
The second statement asserts that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq.
- Muhammad bin Tughluq reigned over the Delhi Sultanate from 1324 CE to 1351 CE.
- Taimur (Timur) invaded India in 1398 CE.
- Taimur's invasion and capture of Delhi occurred during the reign of Sultan Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah Tughluq, who was the last ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty, not Muhammad bin Tughluq.
Taimur's invasion took place nearly 50 years after the end of Muhammad bin Tughluq's reign. The ruler at the time was Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah Tughluq.
Statement 2 is historically incorrect.
Statement 3: Deva Raya II and Vasco Da Gama
The third statement claims that Vasco Da Gama reached the Coast of Kerala during the reign of Deva Raya II of the Vijayanagara Empire.
- Deva Raya II reigned as the ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire from 1422 CE to 1446 CE.
- Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer, first reached the coast of Kerala (specifically Calicut) in 1498 CE.
- This event occurred more than 50 years after the reign of Deva Raya II had ended.
- At the time of Vasco da Gama's arrival in 1498, the Vijayanagara ruler was Immadi Narasimha Raya (of the Saluva dynasty).
Vasco da Gama's arrival in India happened long after Deva Raya II's period. The ruler of Vijayanagara in 1498 was Immadi Narasimha Raya.
Statement 3 is historically incorrect.
Summary of Statements
| Statement | Event | Ruler Mentioned | Actual Timing of Event | Actual Ruler during Event | Correctness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chengiz Khan near Indus (pursuing Khwarezm prince) | Iltutmish (1211-1236) | c. 1221 CE | Iltutmish | Correct |
| 2 | Taimur occupies Multan & crosses Indus | Muhammad bin Tughluq (1324-1351) | 1398 CE | Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah Tughluq | Incorrect |
| 3 | Vasco Da Gama reaches Kerala Coast | Deva Raya II (1422-1446) | 1498 CE | Immadi Narasimha Raya (Saluva Dynasty) | Incorrect |
Based on the historical analysis, only Statement 1 is correct.
Therefore, the correct option is the one that includes only Statement 1.
Revision Table: Key Historical Figures and Events
| Figure/Event | Associated Ruler/Period | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Iltutmish | Delhi Sultanate (1211-1236) | Consolidated Delhi Sultanate, faced threat from Mongols under Chengiz Khan. |
| Chengiz Khan | Mongol Empire | Founder of the Mongol Empire, pursued Khwarezm Shah's son to Indus. |
| Muhammad bin Tughluq | Delhi Sultanate (1324-1351) | Known for ambitious but often unsuccessful administrative experiments. |
| Taimur (Timur) | Timurid Empire | Invaded India in 1398, sacked Delhi. |
| Deva Raya II | Vijayanagara Empire (1422-1446) | Prominent ruler of the Sangama dynasty, known for expansion and administration. |
| Vasco da Gama | Portuguese Explorer | First European to reach India by sea (1498), opening sea route for trade. |
Additional Information: Understanding Medieval Indian History
Understanding the timelines of major dynasties and rulers is crucial for questions involving historical events. The Delhi Sultanate saw several dynasties (Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi), each with its own set of rulers and challenges, including external threats like the Mongols and Taimur. The Vijayanagara Empire in South India flourished concurrently with parts of the Delhi Sultanate and subsequent Sultanates, having its own distinct dynasties (Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, Aravidu). Knowing the approximate periods helps in correctly placing events and individuals.
- Delhi Sultanate: Roughly 1206 CE - 1526 CE.
- Vijayanagara Empire: Roughly 1336 CE - 1646 CE.
Specific events like invasions or arrivals of foreign visitors are often tied to the reign of the ruler at that particular time, making it important to match the event's date with the correct ruler's timeline.
Important Questions from Delhi Sultanate
During the reign of Sultan Iltutmish, which powerful Mongol leader's forces, in pursuit of Khwarezmian Prince Jalal-ud-din Mangabarni, advanced to the northwestern borders of the Delhi Sultanate, creating a grave geopolitical threat?
- Which of the following Sultans died while playing Polo or Chaugan?
In which of the following years did Razia become the Sultan of Delhi?
When did Ibrahim Lodhi become the Sultan of Delhi?
Which of the following dynasties ruled before the Tughluq Dynasty?
