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Question

Who founded the Sayyid dynasty?

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2018 (Tier 2) Statistics Previous Year Paper (22-feb-2018)
The correct answer is

Khizr Khan

The question asks about the founder of the Sayyid dynasty, which was one of the ruling dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate in India.

Understanding the Sayyid Dynasty

The Sayyid dynasty ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1414 to 1451. This period came after the Tughlaq dynasty and was marked by instability and a significantly reduced territory compared to previous Sultanates. The Sayyids claimed descent from Prophet Muhammad.

Khizr Khan: Founder of the Sayyid Dynasty

The founder of the Sayyid dynasty was Khizr Khan. He had been appointed governor of Multan by Firuz Shah Tughlaq. After Timur's invasion in 1398, which severely weakened the Delhi Sultanate, Khizr Khan took advantage of the prevailing chaos. In 1414, he captured Delhi and established the Sayyid rule. He did not take on the title of Sultan, but initially ruled as a viceroy of Timur, and later of Timur's son, Shah Rukh.

Khizr Khan's rule laid the foundation for the Sayyid dynasty, although it was a period of limited power for the Delhi Sultanate.

Examining Other Options

  • Nizam Shah: Nizam Shah was a ruler of the Ahmednagar Sultanate in the Deccan region, much later than the founding of the Sayyid dynasty. He is not associated with the Delhi Sultanate dynasties discussed here.
  • Bahlul Khan: Bahlul Khan Lodi was the founder of the Lodi dynasty, which succeeded the Sayyid dynasty in the Delhi Sultanate in 1451. He was not the founder of the Sayyid dynasty.
  • Muhammad-bin-Farid: While there was a ruler named Muhammad Shah Sayyid (son of Farid Khan, grandson of Khizr Khan), he was the third ruler of the Sayyid dynasty, not its founder. The name given in the option does not precisely match any prominent figure associated with founding the dynasty.

Founders of Delhi Sultanate Dynasties

To better understand the context, here is a table showing the major dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate and their founders:

Dynasty Period Founder
Slave Dynasty (or Mamluk Dynasty) 1206 - 1290 Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Khilji Dynasty 1290 - 1320 Jalal-ud-din Firoz Khilji
Tughlaq Dynasty 1320 - 1414 Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq
Sayyid Dynasty 1414 - 1451 Khizr Khan
Lodi Dynasty 1451 - 1526 Bahlul Khan Lodi

Based on historical records, Khizr Khan is recognized as the founder of the Sayyid dynasty.

Revision Table: Key Points on Sayyid Dynasty Founder

Here are some key points to remember about the founder of the Sayyid dynasty:

  • Founder: Khizr Khan
  • Dynasty: Sayyid Dynasty
  • Period of foundation: 1414 CE
  • Location: Delhi Sultanate
  • Previous Role: Governor of Multan under Tughlaqs
  • Claim: Descendant of Prophet Muhammad

Additional Information on Sayyid Dynasty

The Sayyid dynasty's rule was relatively short and marked by a decline in the Sultanate's power and territory following Timur's invasion. The rulers struggled with internal rebellions and external threats. Notable rulers after Khizr Khan included Mubarak Shah and Muhammad Shah. The last ruler, Ala-ud-din Alam Shah, voluntarily abdicated in favor of Bahlul Khan Lodi, leading to the establishment of the Lodi dynasty and the end of the Sayyid rule.

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