Question

Which Delhi Sultan adopted the policy of 'blood and iron'?
1. Iltutmish
2. Balban
3. Alauddin Khilji
4. Muhammad bin Tughluq
5. None of the above/More than one of the above

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Balban

The correct answer is Balban.

• Ghiyas ud din Balban was the ninth sultan of the Mamluk/Slave dynasty of Delhi.
• He belonged to the famous group of 40 Turkic slaves of Iltutmish.
• His rise from the low position of a water carrier to the rank of the Sultan speaks of his extraordinary qualities.
• He is known to have reduced the power of the nobility and heightened the stature of the sultan.
• He is associated with using the policy of blood and iron.
• The policy of 'blood and iron' implied being ruthless to the enemies, use of sword, harshness and strictness and shedding blood.
• The policy employed method of violent terrorism against enemies.
• He suppressed many internal revolts and protected the Sultanate from external invasions.
• He was responsible for the dethronement of Bahram Shah and instalment of Masud as a King.

• Iltutmish- He was the third of the Mamluk/Slave kings who ruled the former Ghurid territories in northern India.
• Alauddin Khilji- He was an emperor of the Khalji dynasty. He instituted a number of significant administrative changes, related to revenues, price controls, and society.
• Muhammad bin Tughluq- He was the eldest son of Ghiyas-ud-Din -Tughlaq, the founder of the Tughluq dynasty. He introduced the concept of token currency.