In 1236, the Delhi Sultan Iltutmish was succeeded by his daughter, who became Sultan. What was her name?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Raziyya

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The early Delhi Sultanate witnessed a remarkable event when a woman briefly occupied the throne. After the death of Sultan Iltutmish in 1236, his daughter ascended as ruler. This question tests knowledge of her name and reminds us of the exceptional but short lived experiment with female sovereignty in a predominantly male political world.


Given Data / Assumptions:

    - The year mentioned is 1236, during the Delhi Sultanate. - The ruler whose daughter became Sultan is Iltutmish. - Four possible names are given: Rehana, Rukhsana, Rashida, and Raziyya. - We assume the standard spelling Raziyya or Razia for this famous queen.


Concept / Approach:
Iltutmish of the Slave or Mamluk dynasty is known for having chosen his capable daughter Raziyya as his successor, bypassing his less competent sons. Raziyya Sultan, often called Razia Sultana in popular history, ruled Delhi for a short period and is remembered as the only woman to sit on the throne of the Delhi Sultanate. Recognising this unique figure allows us to quickly identify the correct option among the similar sounding names.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Iltutmish had several children, but he considered his daughter Raziyya the most suitable to rule. Step 2: Remember that she is widely known in textbooks as Razia Sultan or Raziyya Sultan. Step 3: Compare the options and look for the one that matches this well known name. Step 4: Option d, Raziyya, clearly corresponds to Razia Sultan. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer is Raziyya.


Verification / Alternative check:
Historical accounts of the Delhi Sultanate universally identify Raziyya as the daughter of Iltutmish who became Sultan in 1236. Although her reign was brief and contested, her name stands out as an exception to the general male dominance of the throne. None of the other names listed in the options are associated with Iltutmish’s succession in standard histories. This confirms that Raziyya is the accurate choice for exam purposes.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Rehana: Not associated with Iltutmish in major historical works as his successor or as a ruling queen.
Rukhsana: A common female name but not the documented daughter who became Sultan after Iltutmish.
Rashida: Again, there is no record of a Sultan named Rashida in the Delhi Sultanate, and this name does not match the historical queen.


Common Pitfalls:
Because the names in the options sound similar, some learners may confuse them if they only have a vague memory of a female ruler. Another pitfall is to remember her only as Razia Sultan and not recognise the spelling Raziyya. It helps to keep in mind that minor spelling differences often appear in transliteration, but the core name Razia or Raziyya always refers to the same historical figure.


Final Answer:
The daughter of Iltutmish who became Sultan in 1236 was Raziyya.

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