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.