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 ?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) 1 and 3
- (d) 3 only
Why the answer is (b)
• Statement 1 is wrong: the first Mongol invasion of India came in 1221, when Chingiz Khan pursued Jalal-ud-din Mangbarni to the Indus during Iltutmish's reign — not under Jalal-ud-din Khalji (1290–96).
• Statement 2 is correct: during Ala-ud-din Khalji's reign, Qutlugh Khwaja's Mongol army (1299) marched up to Delhi and besieged the city before being defeated at Kili; Targhi also invested Delhi in 1303.
• Statement 3 is wrong: Muhammad bin Tughlaq did not lose territory to the Mongols; Tarmashirin's raid of 1327–29 was bought off or repelled, and Timur's invasion (1398) came under Nasir-ud-din Mahmud Tughlaq.
• Hence 2 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2
- Statement 1 is wrong: the first invasion was under Iltutmish.
- (c) 1 and 3
- Statements 1 and 3 are both wrong.
- (d) 3 only
- Statement 3 is wrong: Tughlaq lost no territory to the Mongols.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2022, held on 5 June 2022. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.