Question

The Mongols attacked India for the first time during the period of _________.
a. Balban
b. Iltutmish
c. Qutub ud din Aibak
d. Allaudin Khilji

Answer 1

Hint: By the early 1200s, the Mongols were invading and uniting all of Asia under their leader, Genghis Khan. The Uighurs, the Kyrgyz, and the Khitan were defeated, and they were turned into one great empire extending from Mongolia to Russia. This Mongolian army reached India for the first time in 1221 AD. Genghis Khan sent his Mongolian soldiers to India from Iran and Afghanistan.

Complete answer: (i)The Mongols attacked India for the first time during the period of Allaudin Khilji.
(ii) From 1221 to 1327, the Mongol Empire conducted many invasions into the Indian subcontinent, with several of the later attacks being carried out by the unruly Qaraunas of Mongol descent.
(iii) As a vassal state, the Mongols subjugated Kashmir and controlled much of modern Pakistan and Punjab for decades.
Under Allaudin Khilji, The Delhi Sultanate led a courageous campaign against the Mongols as they marched into the Indian hinterland and entered the outskirts of Delhi, in which the Mongol Army inflicted immense losses on the rival army.
However, the Mongols suddenly withdrew from India on the verge of victory and Allaudin Khilji was rescued from humiliation.
But it cannot be denied that Alauddin Khilji did put up a strong army against the invincible Mongols. During the entire reign of Alauddin Khilji, except for the last few years, the Mongols threatened the stability of India. Khilji was able to keep the Mongols at bay because of his superior Turkish cavalry and infantry tactics, he was a great soldier and general with a well-trained and disciplined army and had developed a strong economic base that provided him with the money to fund these campaigns.
Thus, the correct option is (d).

Note: During his reign, Allauddin Khilji campaigned and defeated Chittor, Devgiri, Warangal (from where he obtained the famous Kohinoor diamond), Gujarat, Ranthambore, and the kingdoms of Hoysala and Pandya. Using his military genius, Khilji was able to defeat Mongols a total of five times.