2003 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2003 · General Studies
Question 125: History and Culture
How did Sultan Qutb-ud-din Aibak die?
aHe was treacherously stabbed to death by one of his ambitious nobles
bHe was killed in a battle with Taj-u-din Yildiz, the ruler of Ghazni who entered into a contest with him over the capture of Punjab
cHe sustained injuries while besieging the fortress of Kalinjar in Bundelkhand and succumbed to death later
dHe died after a fall from his horse while playing Chaugan
AnswerThe answer is (d).
Qutb-ud-din Aibak died in 1210 at Lahore when he fell from his horse while playing chaugan (polo) and was fatally injured; he is buried at Lahore. His rule was short (1206-10). Remember the polo death of Aibak: after him the succession passed to Aram Shah and then Iltutmish.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) He was not assassinated.
- (b) He died in an accident in 1210, not in battle with Yildiz.
- (c) He took Kalinjar earlier, in 1202-03; it was not the cause of his death.
- (d) Correct: a fall from his horse while playing chaugan.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2003, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.