The Delhi Sultanate: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Medieval History)

Explanation

Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325-1351) was a highly ambitious Sultan of Delhi, known for his bold and often impractical reforms. His policies like introduction of token currency and the shift of capital to Daulatabad was aimed at centralizing administration but led to economic chaos and unrest. Assertion (A) is true: Swarg Dwari was a temporary camp or encampment established by Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi. Reason (R) is true: Muhammad bin Tughlaq left Delhi and resided in Swarg Dwari for approximately two years (1334-1335) due to the devastating effects of the bubonic plague, which had ravaged the city and killed nearly half of his army. Thus R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation

Zia-ud-Din Barani (1285-1357) was a prominent historian and political thinker during the period of Tughlaq Dynasty. His most famous work, "Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi", chronicles the history of the Delhi Sultanate and provides valuable insights into the political and social conditions of the time. He advocated a theocratic system of governance, where Islamic law would guide the state’s policies.

Option (c) is correct:

The Sultans of Delhi, frequently made decisions based on political and administrative pragmatism rather than strictly following Islamic laws. He argued that the state was not "truly Islamic" because the Sultans often supplemented or modified Sharia (Islamic law) with their own administrative and secular regulations (Zawabit).

Explanation

Statement (a) is incorrect: Balban (1266 to 1287) was the first to establish the Diwan-i-Ariz department in the Delhi Sultanate. This department was related to the military and was headed by Ariz-i-Mumalik. Statement (b) is incorrect: Alauddin Khilji (1296-1316) of the Khilji dynasty introduced the practice of branding horses in his military. Branding the horses helped in preventing the fraud of soldiers who might try to misuse government-owned horses for personal benefit. Statement (c) is incorrect: Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325-1351 AD) was succeeded by his cousin, Firoz Shah Tughlaq, not his uncle. Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign was marked by several controversial decisions, such as the shifting of the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and the introduction of token currency. Statement (d) is correct: Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388) was the first cousin of Muhammad bin Tughlaq and the most prominent ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty. He was known for his public welfare measures, including the construction of canals, hospitals, schools and implemented various administrative reforms to stabilize his empire. He (Firoz Shah Tughlaq 1351-88) established a separate department for slaves called the Diwan-i-Bandagan under the Wakil-i-dar. He increased the number of slaves by capturing the defeated soldiers and young people.