Correct Option
(C) During the reign of Iltutmish (1211–1236 CE), the Mongols, led by Chengiz Khan, appeared on the northwestern borders of India. This occurred in 1221 CE when Chengiz Khan pursued the Khwarizm Shah Jalaluddin Mangubarni, who had been defeated by the Mongols and sought refuge in India. Iltutmish, demonstrating strategic foresight, refused asylum to Jalaluddin. This diplomatic decision prevented a direct Mongol invasion into the Delhi Sultanate's territory at that critical juncture, thereby safeguarding the nascent Sultanate from an immediate and formidable threat.
Incorrect Options
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(A) Balban (1266–1287 CE): Chengiz Khan had died in 1227 CE, long before Balban ascended the throne. While Balban faced significant Mongol incursions and implemented robust defensive measures to protect the Sultanate, these were from later Mongol leaders, not Chengiz Khan.
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(B) Firoz Tughlaq (1351–1388 CE): By Firoz Tughlaq's reign, Chengiz Khan had been dead for over a century. The Mongol Empire had fragmented, and the direct threat from the original Mongol hordes had diminished. Later invasions, such as that of Timur, originated from different Central Asian powers.
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(D) Muhammad Bin Tughlaq (1325–1351 CE): Chengiz Khan was not alive during Muhammad Bin Tughlaq's rule. Although Muhammad Bin Tughlaq did face Mongol invasions, notably under Tarmashirin Khan, these were repelled and were not led by Chengiz Khan himself.