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U.P.P.C.S. Special Mains 2004

Religious Syncretism in the Sultanate

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

Who was the first Sultan of Delhi to participate in the public celebration of Holi?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: B

Concept Unlike many of his predecessors, MBT was a liberal intellectual who showed interest in the customs of his Hindu subjects, fostering a more inclusive court culture.

Explanation Historical accounts note that MBT was the first Sultan to publicly participate in Holi celebrations and engage with Hindu yogis and scholars, reflecting his unorthodox religious views.

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: MBT’s participation in Holi was part of his broader philosophy of social integration and personal curiosity about diverse traditions.
Logic 2: His successors, like Firuz Shah, were more conservative and often reversed these inclusive practices.

Active Recall

Question

What other religious group did MBT engage with significantly?

Answer

He had frequent discussions with Jain scholars like Jinaprabha Suri and offered them state protection.

Core Insight

MBT's openness to festivals like Holi shows that the Sultanate's social fabric was more complex and syncretic than often portrayed.

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