DR.

RAM MANOHAR LOHIYA

NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY,
LUCKNOW

ACADEMIC YEAR: 2015-16

HISTORY – SYNOPSIS
RESEARCH TOPIC – ORIENTATION OF
STATE POLICY UNDER ALAUDDIN KHILJI

SUBMISSION TO – SUBMISSION BY –

Dr. Vandana Singh Ashish Upadhyaya {Roll No. 33}

Assistant Professor (History) B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) [Sem-1]

Dr. RMLNLU, Lucknow Dr. RMLNLU, Lucknow

 ORIENTATION OF STATE POLICY UNDER ALAUDDIN KHILJI HISTORY
[2015-16]

INTRODUCTION
Sultan Alauddin Khilji ascended the throne of Delhi in 1296 A.D. after the death of his uncle
and father-in-law, Jalaluddin. Sultan Alauddin possessed considerable administrative
experience, for he had served as Governor of Kara and Oudh during his predecessor’s life
time. The achievements of Alauddin Khilji are many. He was destined to prove his abilities
as one of the greatest of the medieval rulers of India.

The first two years of reign of Alauddin Khilji were spent in the suppression of the revolts
headed by his rival claimants to the throne. The rebels were suppressed in a relentless
manner.

Alauddin Khilji possessed an unlimited lust of conquest and achieved success at wars. His
ideal was Alexander the great whose example he wanted to emulate. His reign is famous for a
series of brilliant conquests leading to the expansion of Muslim arms to South India.
Alauddin Khilji was fortunate to have at his disposal some of the most brilliant generals of
his time.

The achievements of Alauddin Khilji can also been seen in his administration. Great as a
conqueror, Alauddin Khilji was equally great as an administrator. The system of
administration as set up by him was thorough and efficient. Sultan Alauddin maintained
peace and order throughout the vast empire. He employed a large number of spies and they
kept him informed of the activities of the people and their reactions to the measures of the
Government. He fixed the price of commodities at a low level and his regulation of the
market is one of the marvels of medieval statesmanship. He was also a patron of architecture
and arts.

Ibn Battuta, has described Alauddin Khilji as one of the best Sultans. Modern historians do
not share this opinion. The manner in which he usurped power and the way in which he ruled
with unrestricted authority do not bear out the correctness of Ibn Battuta’s view about Sultan.
Alauddin Khilji has been described as cruel and oppressive by many historians. And thus, it
is only just to work upon the relics and epics of a man whose name has given rise to
conflicting opinions amongst some of the greatest minds of the time.
 ORIENTATION OF STATE POLICY UNDER ALAUDDIN KHILJI HISTORY
[2015-16]

OBJECTIVE
The objective of the research work undertaken on the aforementioned topic is to
peruse the orientation of state policy under Alauddin Khilji and try and
understand how he was able to successfully manage the administration of such a
vast empire, and how almost all of his military expeditions were carried out
with masterful success. An analysis into the radical reforms brought in by Khilji
shall also be made.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS
 Scrutinise the distinct features of Alauddin Khilji’s military policies, ones
that gave him a legendary success record in military projects.
 What was the orientation of administrative policy under Khilji?
 Discuss the political and administrative reforms brought in by Khilji.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The methodology of this research work shall be strictly doctrinal, the sources
being limited to books, articles, and the internet.

REFERENCES (*not exhaustive)

 http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/notes/notes-on-the-implications-of-khilji-with-
reference-to-administration-and-economic-regulations/4486/
 http://www.shareyouressays.com/114656/administrative-system-of-alauddin-khilji-
essay
 http://elearning.sol.du.ac.in/dusol/mod/book/view.php?id=534&chapterid=435
 http://selfstudyhistory.com/2014/12/24/5-medieval-indiainternal-restructuring-of-the-
delhi-sultanat-and-its-territorial-expansion/