Consider the following statements regarding Sultan Raziyya: 1. She was the daughter of Sultan Balban. 2. She was removed from the throne in 1240. 3. The chronicler Minhaj-us-Siraj acknowledged that she was more able and qualified than all her brothers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only. Explanation Raziyya Sultan (reigned 1236–1240 CE) was a prominent ruler of the Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. She holds the distinction of being the first and only female Muslim ruler of medieval India, nominated to the throne by her father, Sultan Iltutmish. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Incorrect. Raziyya was the daughter of Sultan Iltutmish, not Sultan Balban. Iltutmish broke tradition by nominating his daughter as his successor, believing her to be more capable than his sons. Ghiyasuddin Balban was a later ruler who ascended the throne in 1266 CE. - Statement 2 is Correct. Raziyya ascended the throne in 1236 CE. Her reign was short-lived due to opposition from the Turkish nobility (the Chahalgani), who resented being ruled by a woman and her attempts to concentrate power. She was deposed and eventually killed in 1240 CE. - Statement 3 is Correct. The contemporary chronicler Minhaj-us-Siraj, in his work Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, explicitly stated that Raziyya was more able and qualified than all her brothers. However, he also reflected the social prejudices of the time, questioning the utility of her virtues since she was not born a man. Key Takeaway: Raziyya Sultan was the daughter of Iltutmish and ruled from 1236 to 1240 CE. While contemporary historians acknowledged her superior administrative and military skills compared to her brothers, her gender and attempts to curb the power of the Turkish nobles led to her removal.

NCERT Class 7 History — Chapter 3: Delhi: 12th to 15th Century

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Consider the following statements regarding Sultan Raziyya:

She was the daughter of Sultan Balban.
She was removed from the throne in 1240.
The chronicler Minhaj-us-Siraj acknowledged that she was more able and qualified than all her brothers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only.

Explanation

Raziyya Sultan (reigned 1236–1240 CE) was a prominent ruler of the Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. She holds the distinction of being the first and only female Muslim ruler of medieval India, nominated to the throne by her father, Sultan Iltutmish.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect. Raziyya was the daughter of Sultan Iltutmish, not Sultan Balban. Iltutmish broke tradition by nominating his daughter as his successor, believing her to be more capable than his sons. Ghiyasuddin Balban was a later ruler who ascended the throne in 1266 CE.
Statement 2 is Correct. Raziyya ascended the throne in 1236 CE. Her reign was short-lived due to opposition from the Turkish nobility (the Chahalgani), who resented being ruled by a woman and her attempts to concentrate power. She was deposed and eventually killed in 1240 CE.
Statement 3 is Correct. The contemporary chronicler Minhaj-us-Siraj, in his work Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, explicitly stated that Raziyya was more able and qualified than all her brothers. However, he also reflected the social prejudices of the time, questioning the utility of her virtues since she was not born a man.

Key Takeaway:
Raziyya Sultan was the daughter of Iltutmish and ruled from 1236 to 1240 CE. While contemporary historians acknowledged her superior administrative and military skills compared to her brothers, her gender and attempts to curb the power of the Turkish nobles led to her removal.

Your note

More from Chapter 3: Delhi: 12th to 15th Century

With reference to the history of Delhi as an urban centre, consider the following statements: 1. Delhi first became the capital of a kingdom under the Tomara Rajputs. 2. It became an important commercial centre only after the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate in the thirteenth century. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to the "Circle of Justice" described by Fakhr-i Mudabbir, consider the following statements: 1. It emphasized that the king's survival was independent of the peasantry's prosperity. 2. It implied that soldiers' salaries come from the revenue collected from peasants. 3. It suggested that justice and honest governance were essential for revenue collection. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Consider the following statements regarding the institution of bandagan under the early Delhi Sultans: 1. They were special slaves purchased specifically for military service. 2. Sultan Iltutmish removed them from all important political offices. 3. Unlike sons, they were considered less reliable because they lacked royal blood. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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With reference to the administrative system of the Delhi Sultanate, consider the following statements regarding iqtas and muqtis: 1. The iqta was a territorial assignment given to military commanders. 2. The office of the muqti was made hereditary to ensure stability in the provinces. 3. The muqtis were solely responsible for revenue collection and had no military or administrative duties. 4. Accountants were appointed by the state to check the revenue collected by the muqtis. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

hard

Consider the following statements regarding the taxation system under the Delhi Sultanate: 1. Kharaj was a tax on cultivation amounting to about 50 per cent of the peasant’s produce. 2. Zakat was a tax levied exclusively on non-Muslim subjects. 3. Taxes were also levied on cattle and houses. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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The correct option is (c) 2 and 3 only.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect. Raziyya was the daughter of Sultan Iltutmish, not Sultan Balban. Iltutmish broke tradition by nominating his daughter as his successor, believing her to be more capable than his sons. Ghiyasuddin Balban was a later ruler who ascended the throne in 1266 CE.
Statement 2 is Correct. Raziyya ascended the throne in 1236 CE. Her reign was short-lived due to opposition from the Turkish nobility (the Chahalgani), who resented being ruled by a woman and her attempts to concentrate power. She was deposed and eventually killed in 1240 CE.
Statement 3 is Correct. The contemporary chronicler Minhaj-us-Siraj, in his work Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, explicitly stated that Raziyya was more able and qualified than all her brothers. However, he also reflected the social prejudices of the time, questioning the utility of her virtues since she was not born a man.