[Solved] Which Sultan Opposed the Khalifa? | Alauddin Khalji

Who among the following opposed the power of the Khalifa?

[67th B.P.S.C. Prelims 2022]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

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.

Authentic Source Evidence

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.

Analytical Breakdown

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.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"Did Alauddin Khalji officially break ties with the Caliphate?"

He nominally called himself 'Yamin-ul-Khalifa' on his coins, but in practice, he refused to let any external religious authority interfere with his state regulations.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"Alauddin's reign represents the first major attempt to establish a purely political and military monarchy independent of clerical interference."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Zawabits 3

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