Previous Year Question
Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Balban made his government firm and centralised all authority in his hands.
Reason (R): He wanted to protect the north-west frontier against Mongol invasions.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(A) is false, but (R) is true.
Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(A) is true, but (R) is false.
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
Balban ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1266 to 1287 CE. The major internal problems before him were the weakened prestige of the Sultan, the influence of powerful nobles, rebellions and weak law and order.
Assertion (A) is correct. Balban highly centralised the government in order to restore the prestige of kingship and ensure the supremacy of the Sultan. He controlled the independent power of influential nobles, particularly the powerful Turkish chiefs.
He placed special emphasis on the dignity of kingship and elevated the Sultan far above ordinary nobles. Strict court discipline, a strengthened intelligence system and severe suppression of rebellions also reinforced central authority.
Therefore, Balban's centralisation of authority was primarily connected with internal political stability, the prestige of kingship and control over powerful nobles.
Reason (R) is also correct. During Balban's reign, the Mongols posed a serious threat to the north-western frontier. He regarded the defence of this frontier as one of his major military priorities.
He strengthened the defence of frontier areas such as Bhatinda, Sunam and Samana and reinforced the military arrangements there. His son Prince Muhammad was also employed in defending the frontier against the Mongols; he was killed while fighting them in 1285 CE.
However, protecting the north-western frontier from Mongol invasions was not the direct explanation for Balban's concentration of all authority in his own hands. It was an important part of his external security policy, whereas centralisation was more broadly intended to strengthen internal administration and royal authority.