UPSC Prelims 2022 · Question 57 of 98
UPSC Prelims 2022 question on First Mongol Invasion India
- ExamUPSC CSE
- Year2022
- PaperGeneral Studies Paper I
- SubjectMedieval History
- TopicDelhi Sultanate
- DifficultyHard
- TypeStatement
With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:
1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
2. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
3. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Answer: B. 2 only
Verdict
Correct statement: 2 only → Option (b).
Statement by statement
Statement 1 – INCORRECT: The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Iltutmish in 1221 AD, when Changez Khan reached Indus while chasing the Khwarizmi prince Jalaluddin — NOT during Jalal-ud-din Khalji's reign.
Statement 2 – CORRECT: The fourth Mongol invasion during Ala-ud-din Khalji's reign took place only after some months of Ala-ud-din's return from Chittor in 1303 AD. The Mongols numbering 1,20,000 horsemen under the command of Targhi moved so swiftly that provincial governors could not get time to reach Delhi to help the Sultan. The Mongols plundered the environs of Delhi and besieged the fort for two months.
Statement 3 – INCORRECT: The next major Mongol invasion after the Khiljis were replaced by the Tughlaq dynasty took place in 1327 under Tarmashirin. According to various versions, Muhammad Tughlaq either defeated the Mongols or bribed them — there is no established historical record of him 'losing portions of north-west'.