41st B.P.S.C. Prelims 1996

Early Sultanate Capitals

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The capital of Qutbuddin Aybak was

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept Although the empire is known as the 'Delhi' Sultanate, its very first ruler operated primarily from the Punjab region to maintain a close connection with his Central Asian roots.

Explanation Qutbuddin Aybak (r. 1206–1210) made Lahore his primary capital. It was strategically located to manage the northwestern territories and defend against rivals like Tajuddin Yildiz of Ghazni.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option A is correct. Aybak spent most of his short four-year reign in Lahore and was buried there after his death in 1210.
Logic 2: It was his successor, Iltutmish, who permanently shifted the capital to Delhi in 1211 CE.

Active Recall

Question

Why did Iltutmish shift the capital to Delhi?

Answer

Delhi was more centrally located and better suited for governing the growing territories in the east and south while providing distance from Ghaznavid politics.

Core Insight

Aybak's choice of Lahore shows that the early Sultanate was still functionally an extension of the Ghurid Empire's frontier provinces.