Explanation: Taimur, also known as Timur the Lame, was a Turko-Mongol conqueror who invaded India in 1398. His invasion was a significant event in the history of the Delhi Sultanate, as it led to the weakening of the Tughlaq dynasty and the subsequent rise of the Sayyid dynasty. Before leaving India, Taimur appointed Khirz Khan as his deputy to maintain control over the region.
Khirz Khan was a trusted lieutenant of Taimur and was chosen for this role due to his military prowess and administrative skills. The appointment of Khirz Khan as deputy was a strategic move by Taimur to ensure that the region remained under his influence even after his departure. This appointment was crucial in the context of the political instability that followed Taimur's invasion.
The Delhi Sultanate, which was already facing internal strife and external threats, was further weakened by Taimur's invasion. The appointment of Khirz Khan as deputy was intended to stabilize the region and prevent any further decline in the power of the Delhi Sultanate. Khirz Khan's role was to act as a representative of Taimur and to maintain order in the region.
It is important to note that the other options provided in the question are historical figures who were not directly involved in Taimur's invasion and subsequent appointments. Sikandar was a ruler of the Timurid dynasty in Kashmir, Alam Shah was a ruler of the Timurid dynasty in Transoxiana, and Muhammad Shah was a ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty. These figures, while significant in their own right, were not appointed by Taimur as his deputy in India.
In conclusion, the correct answer is Khirz Khan, as he was the individual appointed by Taimur to serve as his deputy in India after the invasion. This appointment was a strategic move to maintain control over the region and to stabilize the political situation in the aftermath of Taimur's invasion.