Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Who among the following were not the rivals of Iltutmish?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: D
Concept
After the death of Qutbuddin Aibak, Iltutmish had to contend with several powerful Ghorid generals and governors who claimed independence or the throne of Delhi.Explanation
Tajuddin Yeldoz (Ghazni), Nasiruddin Kubacha (Sindh/Multan), and Ali Mardan (Lakhnauti) were all contemporary rivals who challenged Iltutmish's authority. Malik Altunia, however, was a later figure—the governor of Bhatinda and husband of Razia Sultana—who was a subordinate/rebel during the next generation.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Yeldoz and Kubacha were the primary 'external' Ghorid rivals whom Iltutmish defeated to secure the Sultanate's independence from Ghazni.
Logic 2: Option D is correct because Altunia belongs to the post-Iltutmish era (Razia's reign) and was not a rival during Iltutmish's consolidation phase.