With respect to the military system of Alauddin Khilji, which of the following statements is/are true ?
(i) Alauddin Khilji raised a huge standing army.
(ii) Alauddin Khilji established a city named 'Siri' for the soldiers.
(iii) Alauddin Khilji paid the soldiers in cash instead of Iqta.
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Question

With respect to the military system of Alauddin Khilji, which of the following statements is/are true ? 
(i) Alauddin Khilji raised a huge standing army. 
(ii) Alauddin Khilji established a city named 'Siri' for the soldiers. 
(iii) Alauddin Khilji paid the soldiers in cash instead of Iqta.
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Accepted Answer

Alauddin Khilji, one of the most prominent rulers of the Delhi Sultanate, implemented significant reforms in the military system to strengthen his empire. Let's examine why Option 4, which states that all three statements are true, is the correct answer:

1. **Alauddin Khilji raised a huge standing army (Statement i):** 
   - Alauddin Khilji recognized the need for a large and well-organized military to defend his empire against external threats, particularly the Mongol invasions. To achieve this, he established a massive standing army, which was unprecedented in the Indian subcontinent at that time. This move was crucial for maintaining the stability and security of his empire.

2. **Alauddin Khilji established a city named 'Siri' for the soldiers (Statement ii):**
   - To accommodate his large army, Alauddin Khilji founded a new city called 'Siri' near Delhi. This city served as a military camp and a strategic base for his soldiers. The establishment of Siri was part of his broader strategy to ensure that his troops were well-organized and had the necessary infrastructure to support their operations.

3. **Alauddin Khilji paid the soldiers in cash instead of Iqta (Statement iii):**
   - Traditionally, soldiers were compensated through the Iqta system, where they were granted land revenue rights. However, Alauddin Khilji introduced a significant reform by paying his soldiers in cash. This change ensured that the soldiers were directly loyal to the Sultan rather than being tied to land grants, which could lead to divided loyalties and inefficiencies.

**Why the other options are incorrect:**

- **Option 1 (Only i):** This option is incorrect because it ignores the other two true statements about the establishment of Siri and the cash payment system.
- **Option 2 (Only iii):** This option is incorrect as it only acknowledges the cash payment reform, overlooking the establishment of a standing army and the city of Siri.
- **Option 3 (i and ii):** This option is incorrect because it does not include the significant reform of paying soldiers in cash, which was a crucial aspect of Alauddin Khilji's military strategy.

In conclusion, Option 4 is the correct answer as it comprehensively includes all the true statements about Alauddin Khilji's military system, highlighting his strategic innovations and reforms.