Question

What is meant by Turkan-i-Chihalgani?
a. The cream of Afghan nobles
b. The pick of the intellectuals among the Khaljis
c. 40 loyal slaves Amirs
d. The Ulema or the Muslim divines

Answer 1

Hint: The word Chihalgani has been derived from the word Chalis, which means forty. The Das Chalisa was the term popular among the common folks during the reign of the sultans of this age.

Complete Step by Step answer: The meanings referred in the options are of the same time as the term was popularly used, i.e., during the reign of the Delhi Sultanate. Let’s look at our options one by one:
a. The cream of Afghan nobles – The Afghans were the ruling power in the 13th and the 14th century. However, the cream of Afghan nobles was given importance only during the rule of Allauddin Khalji who took over as Sultan after the Turkan-i-Chihalgani was abolished. So, it is an incorrect option.
b. The pick of the intellectuals among the Khaljis – The Khalijis rose to power in the 14th century by when the Turkan-i-Chihalgani had lost its importance. So, it is an incorrect option.
c. 40 loyal slaves Amirs – The Amirs were the richest group of people during the rule of the Slave dynasty. The 40 loyalists of this group stayed in the court of the Sultan and were able to influence the decisions of the Sultan. So, it is the correct option.
d. The Ulema or the Muslim divines – The population of Muslims in the 13th century was very less as compared to the Hindus so there were very few Ulemas in India. So, it is an incorrect option.

Thus, The correct answer is Option C.

Note: Although the word Turkan is Turkish, Turkan-i-Chihalgani has nothing to do with the Turk rule in India, i.e. the Mughal Rule. It is related to the Slave Dynasty of Delhi Sultanate.