Correct Option
The correct option isA fortified settlement with soldiers
Explanation
In the early 13th century, the political authority of the Delhi Sultans was largely confined to fortified urban settlements occupied by soldiers. These settlements were distinct from the hinterland (the lands adjacent to a city or port that supply it with goods and services).
Detailed Analysis
- A town where coins were minted is Incorrect: While coins were minted in administrative centers (often called Taksal), the primary definition of a garrison town is not related to currency production.
- A fortified settlement with soldiers is Correct: A garrison town is explicitly defined as a fortified settlement with soldiers. The early Sultans, such as Iltutmish, controlled these fortified outposts but had little control over the countryside, compelling them to depend on tribute or plunder for supplies.
- A market town for agricultural produce is Incorrect: A market town for agricultural produce is typically referred to as a mandi or is part of the economic function of the hinterland. The garrison town was a consumer of these resources, not necessarily a primary market for trade in the early stages.
- A religious centre for Sufi saints is Incorrect: A religious centre for Sufi saints is known as a Khanqah or Dargah. While these could exist within towns, they do not define the term "garrison town."
Key Takeaway
Garrison towns were fortified military outposts essential for the survival of the early Delhi Sultanate, serving as islands of control amidst a largely independent or hostile hinterland.