Module 2: Narasimhadeva, Bakhtiyar Khalji & Dharmasvamin's Accounts

📖 Chapter 1 of 6 🧩 Module 2 of 6 ⏱️ ~2 min read 💡 10 MCQs

Topic Part 1 of 2

Concept

Subtopic 2.1: Reign of Narasimhadeva & The Turkish Inroads

The geopolitical vulnerability of Bihar peaked during the turn of the 13th century:

Accession of Narasimhadeva: Gangadeva was succeeded by his son Narasimhadeva. His reign coincided with turbulent foreign incursions into eastern India.
Invasion of Bakhtiyar Khalji: When Ikhtiyaruddin Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji marched into Bihar and crushed the Sena power in Bengal (1198–1204 CE), Narasimhadeva was the reigning monarch of the Karnata kingdom of Mithila.
Diplomatic Appeasement: Facing the devastating Turkish cavalry, Narasimhadeva maintained the practical autonomy of Mithila by offering tribute and presents to Bakhtiyar Khalji, thus sparing northern Bihar the direct destruction that befell Odantapuri, Nalanda, and Vikramashila.
Visit of Tibetan Monk Dharmasvamin (1234 CE): The Tibetan Buddhist traveler and chronicler Dharmasvamin (Chag Lo-tsa-ba Chos-rje-dpal) visited Tirhut in 1234 CE. He spent time in Simraongarh, documenting the fortified city, its defenses, and the constant fear of Turkish raids.

⭐ Key Points

Narasimhadeva was the ruler of the Karnata kingdom when Bakhtiyar Khalji attacked Bihar.
Tibetan historian Dharmasvamin visited Tirhut in 1234 CE.
Narasimhadeva paid tribute to the Turks to secure Mithila's internal autonomy.
Dharmasvamin's travelogue provides vivid primary details of 13th-century Tirhut.

📌 One-line Q&A

Question: Who was ruling the Karnata kingdom when Bakhtiyar Khalji invaded Bihar? Answer: Narasimhadeva.
Question: In which year did the Tibetan chronicler Dharmasvamin arrive in Tirhut? Answer: 1234 CE.
Question: What was the primary strategy of Narasimhadeva against Bakhtiyar Khalji? Answer: Diplomatic appeasement and tribute.

Topic

Questions

MCQs

Answer this question, then use Next.

Question 1: Who was ruling the Karnata Kingdom when Bakhtiyar Khalji invaded Bihar and Bengal?

During the invasion of Bakhtiyar Khalji, Narasimhadeva ruled Mithila and maintained peace through tribute.

Question 2: Tibetan Buddhist historian and traveler Dharmasvamin arrived in Tirhut in which year?

Dharmasvamin reached Tirhut in 1234 CE and documented the contemporary society of Bihar.

Question 3: How did King Narasimhadeva protect the Karnata state from Bakhtiyar Khalji's direct destruction?

Narasimhadeva opted for diplomatic appeasement by sending gifts, keeping Tirhut safe from extensive ravages.

Question 4: Which ancient university was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khalji during the broader era of Narasimhadeva?

Bakhtiyar Khalji destroyed Odantapuri (1198), Nalanda, and Vikramashila universities.

Question 5: According to Dharmasvamin, why were the people of Tirhut living in apprehension in 1234 CE?

Dharmasvamin noted that the citizens of Tirhut deserted towns overnight whenever rumors of Turkish horsemen arose.

Question 6: Who was the Sena king defeated by Bakhtiyar Khalji around the time Narasimhadeva ruled Tirhut?

Bakhtiyar Khalji took Nadia and drove King Lakshmanasena into eastern Bengal.

Question 7: What title did Bakhtiyar Khalji hold under Muhammad Ghori and Qutbuddin Aibak?

Bakhtiyar Khalji was a military general under the authority of Muhammad Ghori and his viceroy Qutbuddin Aibak.

Question 8: In Dharmasvamin's account, what language was used by local scholars in Tirhut to communicate with him?

Sanskrit served as the lingua franca between Buddhist pandits and the visiting Tibetan scholar.

Question 9: Which monastery in Tirhut provided hospitality to the Tibetan traveler Dharmasvamin in 1234 CE?

Dharmasvamin spent time at the Pattokarika vihara in Tirhut before journeying toward Bodh Gaya.

Question 10: What political status did Mithila maintain vis-a-vis the early Delhi Sultans under Narasimhadeva?

Mithila remained internally autonomous by paying occasional tribute to the Delhi Sultans and their Bengal governors.

Question 1 of 10

One-liners

Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.

Who was ruling the Karnata kingdom when Bakhtiyar Khalji invaded Bihar?

Narasimhadeva.

In which year did the Tibetan chronicler Dharmasvamin arrive in Tirhut?

1234 CE.

What was the primary strategy of Narasimhadeva against Bakhtiyar Khalji?

Diplomatic appeasement and tribute.

Question 1 of 3