Which of the following Malwa Sultans had constructed a grand Darul-Shifa (hospital) in Mandu?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (C) Mahmud Khalji I

Explanation:
• Mahmud Khalji I was the most powerful ruler of the Malwa Sultanate (reigned 1436–1467). He was a great builder and a patron of social welfare.
• He constructed a grand 'Darul-Shifa' (Hospital) at Mandu. This hospital was a state-of-the-art facility for its time, with specialized wards and a library of medical books.
• It provided free treatment and medicines to the poor. The Sultan even appointed skilled physicians and surgeons (both Muslim and Hindu) and ensured that students could study medicine there.
• This initiative reflects the Sultan's concern for public health and his desire to make Mandu a leading center of Islamic science and culture, rivaling the hospitals of Baghdad and Cairo.

Information Booster:
• Mahmud Khalji I also built the 'Victory Tower' (Haft Manzil) in Mandu to commemorate his victory over Rana Kumbha (though Kumbha also claimed victory and built the Vijay Stambha).
• Mandu is famous for its Indo-Islamic architecture, often called the 'City of Joy'.

Additional Knowledge:
• Hushang Shah (Option A): The first formal Sultan of Malwa, famous for the Jami Masjid and his tomb, which inspired the Taj Mahal.
• Ghiyas Shah (Option B): Known for his luxurious lifestyle and for building the Jahaz Mahal for his vast harem.
• Mahmud Khalji II (Option D): The last Khalji ruler of Malwa whose reign was marked by the rise of the Rajput minister Medini Rai.