Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation
Who among the following opposed the power of the Khalifa?
Solution & Analysis
Answer: B
Concept
While most Sultans sought the Caliph's (Khalifa) recognition for legitimacy, a few asserted their absolute secular sovereignty, refusing to let religious authority dictate state policy.Explanation
Alauddin Khalji was the first Sultan to clearly distinguish between 'state' and 'religion'. Barani records that he believed kingship knows no kinship and that he was independent of the orders of Shariat or the Khalifa's formal oversight in his internal administration.Logical Breakup
Logic 1: Option B is correct. Alauddin prioritized political necessity (Zawabit) over religious dictates.
Logic 2: Later, his son Qutubuddin Mubarak Khalji went even further by assuming the title of 'Khalifa' himself.
Logic 3: Iltutmish (A) and MBT (C) actively sought investiture from the Caliph to bolster their legitimacy.