The Tughlaq Dynasty was the third ruling dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate and held power from 1320 to 1414 AD. Founded by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq after overthrowing the short-lived rule of Khusrau Khan, this dynasty produced some of the most discussed rulers in medieval Indian history. The Tughlaq period witnessed ambitious experiments in governance and administration that had far-reaching consequences for the sultanate. This dynasty is one of the most frequently tested topics in competitive examinations like UPSC, SSC, Railways, and State PSC exams.
Among the Tughlaq rulers, Muhammad bin Tughlaq stands out for his bold but often failed experiments. His decision to shift the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and the introduction of token currency are widely discussed in history textbooks. Firuz Shah Tughlaq succeeded him and is remembered for his welfare measures and construction of canals. The dynasty gradually weakened due to internal conflicts and external invasions, particularly the devastating invasion of Timur in 1398 AD. Practicing MCQs on the Tughlaq Dynasty will help students score well in the medieval Indian history section of competitive exams.
30 MCQs on Tughlaq Dynasty – Indian History
Q1. Who was the founder of the Tughlaq Dynasty?
a) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
b) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
c) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
d) Nasir-ud-din Mahmud Tughlaq
Q2. In which year was the Tughlaq Dynasty established?
a) 1290 AD
b) 1310 AD
c) 1320 AD
d) 1330 AD
Q3. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq was originally known by which name before ascending the throne?
a) Malik Kafur
b) Ghazi Malik
c) Khusrau Khan
d) Baridu
Q4. How did Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq die?
a) He was poisoned by nobles
b) A wooden pavilion collapsed on him at Afghanpur
c) He died in a battle against Mongols
d) He died of natural illness
Q5. Who succeeded Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq as the Sultan of Delhi?
a) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
b) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
c) Nasir-ud-din Mahmud
d) Khizr Khan
Q6. Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s real name was:
a) Fakhr Malik
b) Jauna Khan
c) Ghazi Malik
d) Khusrau Malik
Q7. Muhammad bin Tughlaq shifted his capital from Delhi to which city?
a) Agra
b) Jaunpur
c) Daulatabad (Devagiri)
d) Lahore
Q8. In which year did Muhammad bin Tughlaq transfer his capital to Daulatabad?
a) 1325 AD
b) 1327 AD
c) 1330 AD
d) 1335 AD
Q9. Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced token currency made of which metal?
a) Gold
b) Silver
c) Copper and Brass
d) Iron
Q10. Which famous traveler visited India during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq?
a) Marco Polo
b) Ibn Battuta
c) Fa-Hien
d) Hiuen Tsang
Q11. Ibn Battuta was appointed as the Qazi of which city by Muhammad bin Tughlaq?
a) Lahore
b) Daulatabad
c) Delhi
d) Multan
Q12. Which book was written by Ibn Battuta describing his travels?
a) Tarikh-i-Firuzshahi
b) Kitab-ul-Rehla (Rihla)
c) Futuh-us-Salatin
d) Tabaqat-i-Nasiri
Q13. Muhammad bin Tughlaq planned an expedition to conquer which region through the Himalayas?
a) Tibet
b) Khurasan and Iraq
c) China
d) Central Asia
Q14. Which historian called Muhammad bin Tughlaq “a mixture of opposites”?
a) Ziauddin Barani
b) Ibn Battuta
c) Edward Thomas
d) Elphinstone
Q15. Muhammad bin Tughlaq increased taxation in which region leading to a major revolt?
a) Punjab
b) Bengal
c) Doab region
d) Malwa
Q16. The Vijayanagara Empire was founded during the reign of which Tughlaq ruler?
a) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
b) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
c) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
d) Nasir-ud-din Mahmud
Q17. In which year did Muhammad bin Tughlaq die?
a) 1347 AD
b) 1351 AD
c) 1355 AD
d) 1360 AD
Q18. Muhammad bin Tughlaq died while pursuing rebels in which region?
a) Gujarat
b) Bengal
c) Sindh (Thatta)
d) Rajasthan
Q19. Who succeeded Muhammad bin Tughlaq as the next Sultan?
a) Nasir-ud-din Mahmud
b) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq II
c) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
d) Abu Bakr Shah
Q20. Firuz Shah Tughlaq imposed which of the following taxes strictly as per Islamic law?
a) Kharaj, Khams, Jizya, and Zakat
b) Octroi and Sales Tax
c) Income Tax and Property Tax
d) Pilgrim Tax only
Q21. Firuz Shah Tughlaq established how many canals for irrigation purposes?
a) Two
b) Three
c) Four
d) Five
Q22. Which of the following cities was founded by Firuz Shah Tughlaq?
a) Agra
b) Fatehpur Sikri
c) Jaunpur
d) Hyderabad
Q23. Firuz Shah Tughlaq brought the Ashokan Pillars from Topra and Meerut to which city?
a) Agra
b) Daulatabad
c) Delhi
d) Lahore
Q24. Which department was established by Firuz Shah Tughlaq for the welfare of slaves?
a) Diwan-i-Bandagan
b) Diwan-i-Khairat
c) Diwan-i-Arz
d) Diwan-i-Wizarat
Q25. The department of charity established by Firuz Shah Tughlaq was called:
a) Diwan-i-Arz
b) Diwan-i-Khairat
c) Diwan-i-Risalat
d) Diwan-i-Insha
Q26. Timur (Tamerlane) invaded India during the reign of which Tughlaq ruler?
a) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
b) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
c) Nasir-ud-din Mahmud Shah
d) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq II
Q27. In which year did Timur invade India?
a) 1388 AD
b) 1392 AD
c) 1398 AD
d) 1402 AD
Q28. Who was the last ruler of the Tughlaq Dynasty?
a) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
b) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
c) Nasir-ud-din Mahmud Shah
d) Abu Bakr Shah
Q29. Firuz Shah Tughlaq’s autobiography is titled:
a) Tarikh-i-Firuzshahi
b) Futuhat-i-Firuzshahi
c) Fatwa-i-Jahandari
d) Kitab-ul-Rehla
Q30. Which dynasty succeeded the Tughlaq Dynasty on the throne of Delhi?
a) Lodi Dynasty
b) Sayyid Dynasty
c) Khalji Dynasty
d) Mughal Dynasty
Correct Answers
- c) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
- c) 1320 AD
- b) Ghazi Malik
- b) A wooden pavilion collapsed on him at Afghanpur
- b) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
- b) Jauna Khan
- c) Daulatabad (Devagiri)
- b) 1327 AD
- c) Copper and Brass
- b) Ibn Battuta
- c) Delhi
- b) Kitab-ul-Rehla (Rihla)
- b) Khurasan and Iraq
- d) Elphinstone
- c) Doab region
- b) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
- b) 1351 AD
- c) Sindh (Thatta)
- c) Firuz Shah Tughlaq
- a) Kharaj, Khams, Jizya, and Zakat
- d) Five
- c) Jaunpur
- c) Delhi
- a) Diwan-i-Bandagan
- b) Diwan-i-Khairat
- c) Nasir-ud-din Mahmud Shah
- c) 1398 AD
- c) Nasir-ud-din Mahmud Shah
- b) Futuhat-i-Firuzshahi
- b) Sayyid Dynasty
Conclusion
The Tughlaq Dynasty is one of the most interesting chapters in the history of the Delhi Sultanate. From the ambitious but impractical schemes of Muhammad bin Tughlaq to the welfare-oriented administration of Firuz Shah Tughlaq, this dynasty offers a wide range of topics for examination questions. The invasion of Timur in 1398 AD and the subsequent decline of the dynasty are also heavily tested in competitive exams.
These 30 MCQs on the Tughlaq Dynasty cover all the major rulers, reforms, invasions, and administrative measures of this period. Regular practice of such objective questions will help aspirants build a strong hold over medieval Indian history. Bookmark this page for quick revision before your UPSC, SSC, or State PSC examination. Keep revisiting these questions to retain facts and improve your accuracy in the history section.