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45th B.P.S.C. Prelims 2001

Disintegration of the Sultanate

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Which one of the following dynasties ruled over India after the invasion of Timur?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept Timur's invasion was a catastrophic event that shattered the already weak Tughlaq central authority. The power vacuum in Delhi was eventually filled by a family claiming descent from the Prophet.

Explanation After the invasion of Timur in 1398, the Tughlaq dynasty collapsed. Khizr Khan, who had been appointed by Timur as the governor of Multan and Lahore, captured Delhi in 1414 and established the Sayyid dynasty.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option B is correct. The Sayyids ruled from 1414 to 1451, acting as nominal vassals of the Timurids initially.
Logic 2: The Lodi dynasty (A) succeeded the Sayyids in 1451.

Active Recall

Question

Who was the founder of the Sayyid dynasty?

Answer

Khizr Khan, a former governor of Multan under the Tughluqs and an ally of Timur, founded the dynasty in 1414.

Core Insight

The Sayyid dynasty represents a period of extreme political contraction where the 'Sultanate of Delhi' was reduced to just the city and its immediate surroundings.

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