Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince.
It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus.
It was during the reign of Deva Raya II of Vijayanagara Empire that Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
Statement 1 is correct. After destroying the Khwarizm Empire, Chengiz Khan pursued its prince Jalaluddin Mangbarni towards India. In 1221 CE, Chengiz Khan reached the Indus region during the reign of Iltutmish. Iltutmish avoided a direct confrontation with the Mongols and did not enter into an alliance with the fugitive Khwarizm prince.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Muhammad bin Tughlaq ruled from 1325 to 1351 CE, whereas Timur's invasion of northern India took place in 1398 CE, several decades after Muhammad bin Tughlaq's death. Thus, Timur's occupation of Multan and crossing of the Indus could not have occurred during Muhammad bin Tughlaq's reign.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Deva Raya II ruled Vijayanagara approximately from 1426 to 1446 CE. Vasco da Gama, however, reached Calicut on the Kerala coast in 1498 CE. His arrival therefore occurred more than half a century after the reign of Deva Raya II.