RAS question
Who was the founder of the Sayyid Dynasty?
Correct answer: (A) Khizr Khan.
Khizr Khan founded the Sayyid dynasty in 1414, after Timur's 1398 invasion had weakened Tughlaq power in the Delhi Sultanate.
Explanation
Khizr Khan founded the Sayyid dynasty in 1414. The dynasty ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1414 to 1451, after the decline of the Tughlaqs and before the Lodis, and is regarded as one of its weakest dynasties. Timur's invasion of 1398 weakened Tughlaq power and provided the political background to Khizr Khan's rise. Khizr Khan ruled from 1414 to 1421. He was Timur's deputy and did not assume the title of Sultan. He received a letter from Shah Rukh and had Shah Rukh's name read in the khutba, which reflected his formal allegiance. eGyanKosh (IGNOU), Unit 3: Evolution of Institutions: Sultan, Nobility and Ulama, also identifies Khizr Khan as the founder of the Sayyid dynasty. Therefore, option A is correct.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Alam Shah was the last Sayyid ruler and surrendered to Bahlul Lodi, so he could not have founded the dynasty.
- (C) Mubarak Shah succeeded Khizr Khan as the second Sayyid ruler; he was part of the succession and did not found the dynasty.
- (D) Muhammad Shah was the third Sayyid ruler, so he came to power after Khizr Khan had founded the dynasty.
Concept
This question tests the dynastic sequence of the Delhi Sultanate, especially the transition from the weakened Tughlaqs to the Sayyids. RAS often repeats such questions because founder-last ruler pairs and the correct chronology provide a framework for understanding medieval Indian history.