With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:The first Mongol invasion of Ind

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Question

With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: B — 2 onlyStep-by-step Solution:Statement 1 — First Mongol invasion during Jalal-ud-din Khalji: This is incorrect. The first significant Mongol invasion of India occurred during the reign of Iltutmish (1221 CE), when Genghis Khan (Changez Khan) reached the Indus River while pursuing the Khwarizmi prince Jalaluddin Mangbarni. Iltutmish wisely refused to provide refuge to Jalaluddin, avoiding a direct Mongol attack. Jalal-ud-din Khalji (1290–96) did face Mongol invasions, but he was NOT the ruler during the FIRST Mongol invasion. ✗Statement 2 — During Ala-ud-din Khalji, Mongols besieged Delhi: This is correct. The fourth Mongol invasion during Ala-ud-din Khalji's reign (around 1303 CE) — shortly after his return from the siege of Chittor — saw a Mongol force of approximately 1,20,000 horsemen under Targhi advance swiftly toward Delhi. Ala-ud-din's main army was away on the Telingana campaign, leaving insufficient forces in Delhi. Unable to face them in open battle, Ala-ud-din retreated to the newly built fort of Siri and adopted a defensive position. The Mongols plundered the environs of Delhi and besieged Siri for about two months, but failing to breach the fort (as they were unfamiliar with siege warfare), eventually withdrew. ✓Statement 3 — Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost north-west to Mongols: This is incorrect. In 1327 CE, the Mongols under Tarmashirin invaded India during Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's reign. However, the historical record is disputed — one version says Muhammad Tughlaq defeated and expelled the Mongols; another says he paid them tribute/bribe and they withdrew. There is no established historical record of him 'temporarily losing portions of the north-west to the Mongols.' ✗Why other options are incorrect:Options A, C, and D: Incorrect because only statement 2 is correct.Key Concept: Major Mongol invasions of Delhi Sultanate: Iltutmish (1221) — Changez Khan at Indus, Iltutmish avoids confrontation; Balban (1270s–80s) — repelled Mongols, iron hand policy; Jalal-ud-din Khalji (1290s) — repelled Mongol invasions; Ala-ud-din Khalji — faced multiple invasions (1297–1308), defeated them, built Siri Fort; Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq (1327) — Tarmashirin invasion, resolved diplomatically/militarily.

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