The difference between a caliph and a sultan in Islamic history

is that

caliphs were military leaders, sultans were administrative

leaders

caliphs were hereditary rulers, sultans were chosen by

followers

caliphs were religious leaders of Islam: sultans were political

leaders

caliphs were Sunni rulers; sultans were Shiite rulers

The right answer is:

Caliphs were religious leaders of Islam and sultans were political

leaders.

Explanation:

The first Islamic rulers of the first times following the death of Muhammad were called caliphs. They were both rulers and leaders of the umma, or the community of faithful. For example, we have the Bagdad caliphs.

Sultan is a later term, used to refer to the Turkish imperial rulers, for example. A sultan is a ruler, a political leader, but he isn't the top religious leader of his country. His functions are political, military and administrative.