Which one among the following was/were the motive/motives behind Muhammad Bin Tughlaq’s transfer of capital from Delhi to Daulatabad ? 1. The shift to Daulatabad would give him a chance to establish control over Deccan and Gujarat 2. It would provide access to the Western and Southern ports 3. It would protect him from direct Mongol invasion from the North- Western frontier Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The correct answer is Option 4 (1, 2 and 3) because Muhammad Bin Tughlaq’s decision to shift the capital in 1327 CE was driven by strategic, administrative, and economic imperatives.

• Statement 1: Daulatabad (Devagiri) occupied a central geographical position. This location allowed the Sultan to exercise more effective administrative control over the newly annexed territories of the Deccan and Gujarat, which were difficult to manage from the distant north.
• Statement 2: Proximity to the Western and Southern coastlines provided better access to maritime trade and lucrative ports, enhancing the empire's revenue and commercial connectivity.
• Statement 3: Delhi was constantly vulnerable to Mongol incursions from the Northwest. Shifting the capital to the south provided a natural buffer, placing the seat of power at a safer distance from the frontier.

Since all three motives—administrative consolidation, economic access, and national security—were central to his policy, Option 4 is the most comprehensive and accurate choice.