Consider the following statements regarding the social order and gender distinctions in the Delhi Sultanate: 1. Minhaj-us-Siraj supported the rule of Queen Raziyya as she was more able than her brothers. 2. The ideal social order was believed to be created by God, where women were subordinate to men. 3. Queen Rudramadevi of the Kakatiya dynasty pretended to be a man in her inscriptions. 4. Queen Didda of Kashmir derived her title from the Sanskrit word for "warrior". Select the correct answer using the code given below:

The correct option is (b). Explanation During the Delhi Sultanate, the social and political order was heavily influenced by the concept of "birthright" and "gender distinctions." Historians and chroniclers of the time, such as Minhaj-us-Siraj, evaluated rulers based on these established norms, which often conflicted with the practical abilities of female rulers like Raziyya Sultan. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Incorrect. While the chronicler Minhaj-us-Siraj admitted that Raziyya was more able and qualified than all her brothers, he did not support her rule. He believed that a queen’s rule went against the ideal social order created by God, in which women were supposed to be subordinate to men. He famously questioned how she could gain from her excellent qualities if she was not born a man. - Statement 2 is Correct. The prevailing ideology of the time held that the "ideal social order" was a divine creation. In this order, gender distinctions were rigid, and women were considered subordinate to men. This belief system was used to justify the exclusion of women from political succession and leadership roles. - Statement 3 is Correct. Queen Rudramadevi (1262–1289) of the Kakatiya dynasty of Warangal adopted a different approach to gender norms compared to Raziyya. In her inscriptions, she changed her name to a male name (Rudradeva) and pretended to be a man to legitimize her rule. - Statement 4 is Incorrect. Queen Didda, who ruled in Kashmir (980–1003), did not derive her title from the word for "warrior." Her title came from the word "didi" or "elder sister," suggesting an affectionate term used by her subjects or courtiers, rather than a martial title. Key Takeaway Minhaj-us-Siraj acknowledged Raziyya's merit but opposed her rule based on gender distinctions. Unlike Raziyya, Rudramadevi adopted a male persona in inscriptions, while Didda's title was derived from an affectionate term for "elder sister."

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

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Consider the following statements regarding the social order and gender distinctions in the Delhi Sultanate:

Minhaj-us-Siraj supported the rule of Queen Raziyya as she was more able than her brothers.
The ideal social order was believed to be created by God, where women were subordinate to men.
Queen Rudramadevi of the Kakatiya dynasty pretended to be a man in her inscriptions.
Queen Didda of Kashmir derived her title from the Sanskrit word for "warrior".

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C3 and 4 only
D1, 2, 3 and 4

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (b).

Explanation

During the Delhi Sultanate, the social and political order was heavily influenced by the concept of "birthright" and "gender distinctions." Historians and chroniclers of the time, such as Minhaj-us-Siraj, evaluated rulers based on these established norms, which often conflicted with the practical abilities of female rulers like Raziyya Sultan.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect. While the chronicler Minhaj-us-Siraj admitted that Raziyya was more able and qualified than all her brothers, he did not support her rule. He believed that a queen’s rule went against the ideal social order created by God, in which women were supposed to be subordinate to men. He famously questioned how she could gain from her excellent qualities if she was not born a man.
Statement 2 is Correct. The prevailing ideology of the time held that the "ideal social order" was a divine creation. In this order, gender distinctions were rigid, and women were considered subordinate to men. This belief system was used to justify the exclusion of women from political succession and leadership roles.
Statement 3 is Correct. Queen Rudramadevi (1262–1289) of the Kakatiya dynasty of Warangal adopted a different approach to gender norms compared to Raziyya. In her inscriptions, she changed her name to a male name (Rudradeva) and pretended to be a man to legitimize her rule.
Statement 4 is Incorrect. Queen Didda, who ruled in Kashmir (980–1003), did not derive her title from the word for "warrior." Her title came from the word "didi" or "elder sister," suggesting an affectionate term used by her subjects or courtiers, rather than a martial title.

Key Takeaway

Minhaj-us-Siraj acknowledged Raziyya's merit but opposed her rule based on gender distinctions. Unlike Raziyya, Rudramadevi adopted a male persona in inscriptions, while Didda's title was derived from an affectionate term for "elder sister."

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?

medium

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 (b).

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect. While the chronicler Minhaj-us-Siraj admitted that Raziyya was more able and qualified than all her brothers, he did not support her rule. He believed that a queen’s rule went against the ideal social order created by God, in which women were supposed to be subordinate to men. He famously questioned how she could gain from her excellent qualities if she was not born a man.
Statement 2 is Correct. The prevailing ideology of the time held that the "ideal social order" was a divine creation. In this order, gender distinctions were rigid, and women were considered subordinate to men. This belief system was used to justify the exclusion of women from political succession and leadership roles.
Statement 3 is Correct. Queen Rudramadevi (1262–1289) of the Kakatiya dynasty of Warangal adopted a different approach to gender norms compared to Raziyya. In her inscriptions, she changed her name to a male name (Rudradeva) and pretended to be a man to legitimize her rule.
Statement 4 is Incorrect. Queen Didda, who ruled in Kashmir (980–1003), did not derive her title from the word for "warrior." Her title came from the word "didi" or "elder sister," suggesting an affectionate term used by her subjects or courtiers, rather than a martial title.