Q. The supremacy and sovereignty of ‘Khalifa’ of Baghdad was strictly observed by Muslim kings in India because
(a) ‘Khalifa’ was treated as religious head of the Muslim community
(b) ‘Khalifa’ was treated as the legal head of the Muslim community
(c) All the Muslim States in the world used to pay tributes to him
(d) He used to decide all the cases efficiently
Ans: (a) ‘Khalifa’ was treated as religious head of the Muslim community
Explanation: The supremacy and sovereignty of the ‘Khalifa’ of Baghdad was strictly observed by Muslim kings in India primarily because (a) ‘Khalifa’ was treated as the religious head of the Muslim community.
The ‘Khalifa’ in Baghdad held significant religious authority in the Islamic world. The ‘Khalifa’ was regarded as the successor to Prophet Muhammad and was considered the highest religious authority for Muslims.
Muslim kings in India, including those of the Delhi Sultanate, acknowledged the religious authority of the ‘Khalifa’ and observed his supremacy and sovereignty out of religious reverence. They recognized the ‘Khalifa’ as the spiritual leader and custodian of Islamic law.
While the ‘Khalifa’ held considerable religious influence, the statement (b) ‘Khalifa’ being the legal head of the Muslim community is not entirely accurate. Islamic law and legal matters were primarily administered by Muslim rulers and jurists in their respective territories.