1. It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince.

2. It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus.

3. 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?

(a) 1 Only                                                                 

(b) 1 and 2

(c) 3 Only                                                                  

(d) 2 and 3

Answer: a

Explanation:

The  First Mongol invasion of India took place in the reign of Illtutmish. The Mongols appeared on the bank of the river Indus in 1221 under the command Changiz khan (1162-1227).  Changiz khan came in hot pursuit of Jalal-ud-Din Mangbarni up to the Indus.

Jalal-ud-Din Mangbarni , the last Shah of Khwarism of Khiva, sought shelter from the Mongols in the Doab between the Indus and the Jhelum.

Hence, 1st statement is correct.

During the reign of Muhammad Tughluq. In 1328-29, Tarmashirin khan, the Chaghatai chief of Transoxiana, invaded India. He Revaged the country from Multan and Lahore to the Outskirts of Delhi.

Yahiya-bin-Ahmad and Badauni tell us that Muhammad Tughluq defeated the Mongols and drove them out of the country.

Timur’s invaded  India in 1398  during the reign of  Tughluq king Nasiruddin Mohammed Shah  , Timur crossed the Indus, the Chenab, and the Ravi and occupied Multan.

Hence, 2nd statement is incorrect.

During the reign of Narasa Nayaka, the famous Portuguese navigator Vasco de Gama rounded the Cape of Good Hope with a fleet of three ships and arrived at Calicut in August 1498.

Hence, 3rd statement is incorrect.

Read: Previous Year UPSC History Questions (PYQs) With Explanation 2021