Chapter: - 5 (Tughluq Dynasty).

(1320-1412)
Q1) Back ground of Tughluq Dynasty.

A) The Tughlaq dynasty also referred to as Tughluq or Tughluk dynasty, was a Muslim dynasty of Turko-
Indian origin which ruled over the Delhi sultanate in medieval India. Its reign started in 1320 in
Delhi when Ghazi Malik assumed the throne under the title of Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq. The dynasty
ended in 1413. According to Saih Ibn Battuta, Ghazi Malik who was the chief of the Tughluq tribe
belonged to a Turkish tribe Quarana who lived in the mountainous region between Sind and Turkistan.

According to Welza, Tughluq was the name of a tribe.

Sultan Ghiyas ud din Tughluq

(1320-1325).
Q2) Tell about Ghiyas ud dun Tuhluq Early life?

A) Ghazi Malik ascended the throne under the title of Ghiyas ud din Tughlug. He belonged to the tribe of
Qurauna Turks who lived in the mountainous region between Sind and Turkistan. His father came to
India in the time of Balban and married a Jat woman of Punjab. Thus, Just like K. Ali has said, “the
modesty and mildness of the Hindus and virility and vigour of the Turks” was present in him.

Ghiyas ud din Tughluq used to gaze horse of a Sindh merchant, then he became the became a soldier in
Ulgh Khan’s (Brother of Allauddin Khalji, and the ruler of Sindh) Army; from there, because of his
abilities and bravery, he rose to the designation of “Ameer Akhoor”. He also played an important role in
driving out the mongols and for this reason he was called the “warden of the marches”. According to Ibn
e Battuta Ghiyas ud din Tughluq fought 39 fight against Mongols and defeated them.

For his services, he was added into the list of royal rulers and was given the title “Ghazi Malik”.

Q3) tell about the Arrival of Ghiyas ud din Tughluq.

A) After the death of Sultan Allauddin Khalji, Ghiyas din Tughlug defeated Khusro khan in the field of
Leharwat on 6 September 1320 and Ghazi Malik ascended the throne under the title of Ghiyas ud din
Tughlug shah ghazi.

Q4) Tell about Ghauas ud din Tughluq reign?

A) When he came into power, he gain popularity by establishing good relationships with Turk rulers,
who were his relatives and can be helpful for him. He also tried to establish good relationship with the
royal ruler and the royal rulers who were Khusro khans well- wishers were also not removed from their
designations by Ghiyas ud din Tughluq.

He also played an important role in maintaining the peace in his Empire by stopping insurgencies and
Anarchy spreaded by people.
Q5) Tell about the Administration policies by Ghiyas ud din Tughluq.

A) Administration of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq was a success. Though he faced many problems initially but with
his effective administrative measures he was successful in overcoming them. Ghiyas-ud-din faced both
internal and external problems. The administrative set-up established by Ala-ud-din Khilji was destroyed by
his successors while no steps were taken to establish new one. The nobles and the courtiers had become
negligible towards their responsibilities and engaged themselves in fun and frolic. However, Ghiyas-ud-din
faced difficulties and succeeded in overcoming them. The first task of Ghiyas-ud-din was to strengthen his
position on the throne and for that he tried to conciliate the nobles and the people. He pursued a policy of
conciliation with sternness towards the nobles. Ghiyas-ud-din was successful in getting loyalty of his subjects
by the administrative measures.

1) Finance policies:-

Ghiyas -ud-din attempted to improve the finances of the state and for that purpose,
pursued the policy of encouraging agriculture and cultivators. His objectives were to increase the land
cultivation and improve the economic condition of the farmers. State demand of revenue was fixed 1/10 of
the produce not on the area of the Land. The practice of measurement of land which was adopted during the
reign of Allauddin was abandoned. Instead, the old system of sharing of the produce was revived. The
government officers were asked not to be cruel to the peasants but to look after their welfare. He also
improved means of irrigation and plant-gardens. These measures of Ghiyas-ud-din succeeded. The limitation
on keeping cultivated land was Half Acre (4 Kanal). Hence, the area under cultivation increased and the
condition of the farmers improved.

About Ghiyath-ud-din as an administrator, a modern Historian says:

“The administration of Ghiyas-ud-din was based upon the principles of justice and moderation. The land
revenue was organized and the Sultan took great care to prevent abuses. Cultivators were treated well
and officials were severely punished for their misconduct. The departments of Justice and Police worked
efficiently, and the greatest security prevailed in the remotest parts of the empire.”

Q6) Tell about the actions taken by ghiyas ud din for the welfare of his Empire.

A) Ghiyas-ud-din improved the means of communication. Roads were repaired and improved. Bridges
and canals were also constructed. He improved the postal system. Runners or horsemen were placed at
a distance of two-thirds of a mile. The judicial system was also developed by Ghiyas-ud-din. Torture for
extracting truth was prohibited. It continued only in cases of thieves or those who embezzled money of
the state. He also put restrictions on drinking Alcohol and gambling. Ghiyas-ud-din was a capable
military commander and he loved his soldiers as a father loved his sons. He looked after their welfare
and paid them well. But he was a strict disciplinarian as well. He strictly enforced the practice of keeping
of the soldiers and that of branding of the horses. Two years after his accession, Ghiyas-ud-din
succeeded in increasing the strength of his army.

Thus the administrative measures adopted by Ghiyas-ud-din were quite a success and helped him to
consolidate his empire.

Q7) How Ghiyas ud din expanded his Empire.

A) He peacefully told and also forced everyone to accept himself as their ruler because he didn’t wanted
chaos. Ghiyas ud din Tughluq only had to captured Talanganah and Araisa and convinced ever ruler to
pay him Kharaj (Tax).

Q8) Tell about the role of Sultan Ghiyas ud din Tugluq on Bengal issue.

A) A civil war among the grandsons of Bughra khan. One of them offered the Sultan to come and
interfere in the affairs of that province. The eldest Nasir ud din was expelled by his younger brother
Ghaiyas ud din Bahadur shah, so he asked for the Sultan help. The Sultan seized the opportunity and
proceeded towards Bengal. He met Ghaiyas ud din at Tirhut and defeated him. Ghiyas ud din Bahadur
shah was arrested and was sent back to Delhi as a prisoner and Nasir ud din was assigned by Ghaiyas ud
din Tughluq as a Vice Sultan in Bengal.

Q9) Tell about the death of Ghiyas ud din Tughluq.

A) Ghiyas-ud-din died in 1325 as a result of the falling of a wooden Fort constructed by his son, who was
mounted on an elephant at Afghanpur (near Delhi) to receive him before his ceremonial entry into the
capital on return from his successful campaign in Bengal. There are conflicting accounts on whether this
was an accident or a conspiracy by his son to gain power, so it remains a bit of a mystery. After his death
his son Muhammad bin Tughlaq proclaimed himself the Sultan.

Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughluq.

(1325-1351)
Q10) Tell about the personality of Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughluq.

A) After the death of Ghiyas ud din Tugluq his son Juna Khan became the sultan with the title of Sultan
Muhammad Bin Tughluq. He was one of the remarkable figures in the history of Muslm Asia. He was an
expert in languages like:- Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Hindi. He also had a great knowledge of
Philosophy.

Just like Burnie has said:-

“If Aristotle was alive during Sultan Muhammad Bin Tugluq reign, he for sure
would had been one of the student of the Sultan”.

Q11) Tell about the administration policies by Muhammad Bin Tughluq.

A) Because of the administrative policies by the Sultan, he faced many insurgencies for (from 1335-
1351) 16 years.

A) Financial administration:-

When he came into power he made many policies.

1) Auditing:-

Muhammad Bin Tugluq ordered to record the budgets and expenditures of the Province
on registers and these register will be sent to the capital for auditing. The reason for making this policy
was to stop corruption. Because of this policy the royal rulers and feudal lords were not happy and they
were against the sultan.

2) Taxation:-

Muhammad Bin Tugluq increased land tax in the Doab upto 5-10 % to improve the financial
condition of the state. He strictly ordered to collect tax without from everyone. But most of the farmer
were not able to pay tax due to drought condition on their land so, the people abandoned their land and
started to robbery and went away into the forests leaving agriculture.

.) Just like K.ALi has said:-

“Due to the lake of Grain, Drought the farmers of Doab were in great stress and
after the taxation, they were forced to leave their lands.”

Later on he dismissed his policies of Taxation.

B) Increase in Agriculture production:-

Inorder to increase the agriculture production of his empire

Muhammad Bin Tughluq he increased the one area for agriculture purposes of nearly 100 Murabah Km.
Many seeds were planted on that land and about 70 Lakh Tinkay were spent on this policy but failed and
after 3 years this policy was dismissed.

C) Transfer of Capital:-

The Sultan thought that it would be appropriate to transfer his capital to Deogir so
that he could stop the insurgencies raised in the areas near Deogir areas like Bengal etc. So, he shifted
his capital from Delhi to Deogir in 1327 and renamed Deogir with Daulatabad. One of the reason for
shifting his capital in Central location was to save his empire from the attacks and invasion from
Mongols. He ordered the Delhi people to go to the new capital along with their belongings but many
refused to come with him and those who decided to migrate faced many problem on their way or died
because of poor facilities. Even Muslim Ullama were forced to migrate because the Sultan wanted to
spread Islam in Deogir and nearby areas.

.) Just like Burnie has said that:-

“The people of Delhi, who had been living in Delhi and the houses of their
ancestors for many years and were emotionally attached with their place were not ready to leave
Delhi.”

.) According to Ibn Battuta:-

 “A search was made and a blind man and a cripple man were found.
The cripple man has put to death while the blind man was tied with the tail of horse and was dragged to
Daulatabad where only his one leg reached.”

Later the sultan realized that the scheme of transferring the capital caused heavy financial loss to the
treasury. Hence, he dismissed it.

D) Token currency:-

Muhammad Bin Tugluq introduced token currency and issued large quantity of
Copper currency because at that time silver and gold demand was very high and that was why he
introduced copper currency but he failed to prevent forgery (fake). One of the main reason of the failure
of this scheme was that the foreign traders refused to follow this currency and preferred taking silver
and gold. The government of the sultan also faced the problem of manufacturing fake copper coins and
the scheme caused heavy financial loss to the treasury. Hence, he dismissed it.

E) Expand of Empire:-

In 1327, Mongols attacked areas of Hindustan like:- Multan, Lahore and Delhi. So, he
pacified the Mongols by offering them money and jewels and Mongols left. After Mongols left he
increased the security of the empire and decided to expand his empire in order to make it more strong.
Hence, he captured Peshawar, Kalanoor and furthered focusing on expanding his empire.

Some of his campaign are following:-

1) Kharasan campaign:-

Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq’s experiments were not confined to internal matters only;

it was also down with external affairs. His Khurasan project was the first of them. In-order-to fulfill his
ambition of a great conqueror; he planned to conquer the kingdom of Khurasan which was then ruled by
Iraq. He recruited 3 lakh 70 thousand soldiers for this purpose and paid them one year’s salary in
advance.

He spent nearly three lakhs of rupees for this mission. But this project was dropped because he did not
get the help of the Persian emperor who had assured him to help in this mission. Ultimately this
campaign caused a huge financial loss to the Empire and loss of the reputation of the Sultan as a
conqueror.

2) The Campaign of Karachal:-

Karajal expedition was another mis-judged step of Muhammad-bin- Tughlaq.

Karajal was a Hindu kingdom located between India and China. In 1337 Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq sent a
huge army to invade Karajal under his nephew Khusro Malik Leadership. After some initial success, the
Delhi army perished in the mountainous region of Himalayas due to severe rain fall.

But unfortunately army suffered though a terrible disease and we are told by Barani that out of 10, 000
army only 10 horse-men could return to Delhi to tell the story of the disaster. It was a great loss to the
Sultan both in men and money. Though the Hindu raja of Karajal accepted the sultan as their leader of
Delhi, but considering to the amount of loss, it can be described that the Karajal expedition was an
unsuccessful adventure of Sultan.

Q12) Tell about the insurgencies during Muhammadbin Tughuq reign.

A) The Sultan Muhammad-bin- Tughlaq felt weak as he had neglected the defense of the northwestern
frontier. The Mongols under their leader Tarma-Shirin Khan had invaded India and plundered up-to
Multan and Lahore without any opposition.

When they advanced towards Delhi, the Sultan Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq not knowing what to do, bribed
the invader with a huge quantity of gold and silver. This weakness of the Sultan made people feel most
insecure. Failure in both the military expeditions as well as his inability to defend the Mongols made him
unpopular.

It is said that he faced 18 insurgencies put of which some were successful.

Some of the insurgencies are following:-

1) At early stage the insurgencies raised in Bengal was oppressed but in 1334 areas like Laknuti and
Sanargahoun formed their independent state.

2) In 1336, an independent state was formed in Vajiya nagar.

3) In 1337, an independent state was formed in Malla bar.

4) In 1340, an independent Islamic state was formed in Maharashtra.

5) In 1350, the Sultan attacked Sindh but before the conquest of Sindh he died near Thatta in 1351.
After that the Sindh became an independent state and Sammah family formed their empire in Sindh.
Sultan Firuz Shah Tughluq:-

(1351- 1388)
Q13) Tell about Firuz shah Tughluq.

A) Firuz shah Tughluq was the son of son of Ghiyas ud din Tughluq younger brother. At the age of 6 his
father passed away. So, Firuz shah was brought up by Ghiyas ud din Tughluq. Ghiyas ud din Tughluq
loved him like his own son and Muhammad Bin Tughluq also had respect for Firuz shah and appointed
him for higher designation during his era.

Q14) Tell about Firuz shah Tughluq arrival.

A) After the death of Muhammad bin Tughluq, Firuz shah came into power and gained the title Sultan
Firuz shah Tughluq.

Q15) Tell about Firuz shah Tughluq ruling era.

A) Firuz shah ruling eras are divided into 2:-

1) First era (1351-1371):-

Related to peace and political affairs of the empire.

2) Second era (1371-1388):-

Related to the prevention insurgencies and during this era the Tughluq Dynasty
came to an end.

Q16) Tell about the financial administration during Firuz shah Tughluq reign.

A) Firoz paid attention primarily towards consolidation and reforms instead of conquests. During the last
year of Muhammad Tughlaq’s reign, the administration was disrupted; subjects were mostly dissatisfied
within the religious policy and worst of all was the weak domain of economy. Firoz concentrated his
attention to improve these matters. He largely succeeded in achieving these objects.

1) Tax on farmers and villagers:-

He imposed taxes on the rate of production not on the area of the

cultivated land. The rate of tax was set 1/5. Due to this policy many farmers were living happily and the
rate of production also increased.

2) Abolition of un-necessary taxes:-

Firoz abolished nearly 23 taxes. For example taxes like:-

Soap making, selling roses, fishing, Hand carts pullers, and taxes on people living in slums.

Officers were ordered to collect only those taxes which were due to the state. Revenue was fixed
according to rough estimate of production. The revenue were also fixed. This system had an advantage
that the income of the state was fixed and was known before the expenses of the state could be
adjusted according to the income.
3) Decrease in the amount of taxes:-

During Allauddin Khalji reign, the 4/5 part of the Mall-e-Ghanimat was
of the government and 1/5 was of the Army. But, during Feroz shah reign 4/5 part of the Mall-e-
Ghanimat was given to the Army and 1/5 to the government.

4) Imposed taxation:-

Firoz imposed only four taxes including Kharaj (land tax), Khumus (1/5 of Mall-e-
Ghanimat). Jizya (tax on Hindus for providing them safety in a Muslim state) and Zakat (2, 1/2% of the
income of the Muslim).

Firoz imposed jizya even on the Brahamans who were exempted (Free) from this tax by former Sultan.
He imposed irrigation tax on the peasants who used the water of the canals constructed by the state as
1/10 of their products (usher).

.) Conclusion:-

Firuz shah was a very strict ruler but a great administrator. Just like Muhammad bin
Tughluq, he was very intelligent, but was lucky unlike Muhammad bin Tughluq. Hence, Firoz paid
attention primarily towards consolidation and reforms instead of conquests. During the last year of
Muhammad Tughlaq’s reign, the administration was disrupted; subjects were mostly dissatisfied within
the religious policy and worst of all was the weak domain of economy. Firoz concentrated his attention
to improve these matters. He largely succeeded in achieving these objects.

Q17) Tell about the Army administration policies and Jageer system by Firuz shah Tughluq.

A) The policies made by him for his empire administration was kind of successful, but he badly failed in
his army administration. The reasons are following:-

1) Responsibility of Army’s administration:-

He gave all the responsibility of his army’s administration to

Jageerdaar (Feudal lords). Hence, the governors and jageer daars were responsible to pay salaries to the
army, their administration, and their training, but because if the negligence by governor, the army
became weak and useless.

2) Replacement policy of a retired soldier:-

He, out of kindness, passed a new regulation to the effect

that when a soldier grew old and incapable his son should succeed him as his deputy, if he had no son,
his son-in-law shall be replaced as his deputy. The reason of passing this new regulation was to secure
the future of a soldier family.

3) Jagger system:-

Allauddin abolished Jagirdari system and took back all jagirs from nobles due to the
shortcoming of the system. Ghayas-ud-Din Tughlaq and Muhammad Tughlaq followed him, but Firoz
again distributed a large part of his empire among nobles and civil and military officers.
This step was to win over the confidence of the nobles. Although, the system ran successfully during
Firoz’s reign but, the farmers faced many problems because they were forced to word on the lands of
Jageer daars and received very low income. Firuz shah also organized the army on a feudal basis. The
regular soldiers received grants of land and the irregulars were paid from the royal treasury.

Q18) Tell about the justice and welfare during Firuz shah Tughluq reign.

A) During his reign his justice and welfare projects are discussed in the following:-

1) Justice:-

Before Firuz shah Tughluq reign, the criminals were given different types of punishments.
Like:- Their hand, feet, nose, ears were cut off, chests bone were crushed, their hands, feet and chests
were nailed, molten lead was poured in their throat, Eye ball were removed, The criminal was even cut
into half by a saw and his skin was pealed while he was alive.

But, Firuz shah abolished these punishments in his reign and preferred punishments from the Holy
Quran. He restored the privileges of Qazis. He held his own court for administering justice and was in
the favor of mild punishments. He abolished the practice of torturing the guilty to extract truth from
him.

2) Welfare projects:-

Firuz shah took great interest in the launching welfare projects. It is said that Firoz
established 300 cities. Important among these were Firozabad. Frishta credited him for the construction
of 50 dams, 40 mosques, 30 colleges, 20 palaces, 100 caravanserai road, 20 reservoirs, 100 hospitals, 5
mausoleums, 100 public baths, 10 monumental pillars, 10 public wells and 150 bridges numerous
gardens and pleasure houses he used. He also repaired many historical buildings.

He also made a marriage bureau for poor widows and poor unmarried girls. He opened many institution
to help poor families. Many dispensaries were also made to provide free medical facilities to the poor.

.) Conclusion:-

Sultan Firuz Shah had every ability to become a great administrator, not a great emperor and
that is why he focused on administration and welfare projects, not on expanding his empire or to stop
insurgencies against him.

Q19) Tell about the death of Firuz shah Tughluq.

A) He spent his last days in despair because of the death of his 2 sons. That is why, he was also unable to
choose his successor. He was also worried because of the civil war in his empire and many other nobles
were also against him. Hence, during these days, he died in 1388 at the age of 83 years.

Q20) Tell about the successors after Firuz shah death.

A) After the death of Firuz shah his sons and grandson fought for the thrones from 1388 till 1414 and
during this civil war, other royal rulers and governors took advantage. Hence, every one formed their
separate government and raised insurgency.
Names and the time period of the successor of Firuz shah Tughluq are following:-
1) After Firuz shah Tughluq’s death his grandson ascended to the thrones with the title of Ghiyas ud din
Tughluq II, but his cousin Abu-Bakar plotted a conspiracy with Rukn-ul-din and killed Ghiyas ud din
Tughluq II and hence, Abu-Bakar came into power in 1389.

2) Abu-Bakar lasted barely for 1 year and was defeated by Ghiyas ul din Tughluq II uncle named Nasir ul
din Muhammad in 1390 and became the ruler of Delhi.

3) After the death of Nasir ul din Muhammad in 1394, his son Allauddin Sikander Shah came into power
in Delhi, but died at early state of his rule. After him Mehmood Tughluq came into power in 1394.

4) In 1398, Ameer Taimur attacked Hindustan during Mehmood Tughluq reign, but somehow he
escaped. Though, Mehmood Tugluq reign lasted till 1414, but it was worthless and weak and was
defeated by Ameer Taimur. Hence, Mehmood Tughluq ended up being the last representative of the
house of Tughluq.

Amir Taimur:-
Q21) Tell about the background Ameer Taimur.

A) Ameer Taimur belonged to a village named “Sabz” in the south of Samarkand and was born on 1336.
In Turkish language Taimur means “Iron”. During a war, his leg was injured and that is why he used to
walk with balance and that is why he also known as “Taimur Lung”.

After the death of his father, he became the chief of his tribe (Chagtai Turks) and then the king of the
whole Samarkand at the age of 33. He then conceived the idea of world conquest. After the conquest of
Persia, Afghanistan and Mesopatamia, he turned towards Hindustan.

Q22) Tell the reason behind Ameer Taimur attack.

A) He himself wrote in his book named “Tuzk Taimuri” that he only attacked Hindustan to gather money
and safe Hindustan from Non-believers and destructions and he attacked Hindustan to save Islam but
the writer of Abb-e-Kousar denies that. According to him:-

“Although he was a Muslims, but he had no

abilities like a Muslims, and he only came for booty and money.” Hence, he was only a pirate or robber.

Q22) Tell about the war preparation by Ameer Taimur and how he reached Delhi.

A) Early in 1398, he sent his grandson, Pir Muhammad who proceeded with an army of 30,000 horse. He
crossed the Indus and captured Uchh and Multan after a few month. He overran the territories of
Dipalpur and Pakpattan. He reached as far as the Sutlej and began to wait there for Taimur. In August
1398, Taimur himself marched towards Hindustan with a big force of 92000 cavalry. He crossed the
Indus in September 1398 and met Pir Muhmmad from there both marched towards Lahore and
captured some areas, then they reached Delhi. While on his way to Delhi, he captured 1 lakh prisoners,
so he killed them so that they could not interfere or create hurdles in their way during the war.

Q23) Tell about the attack on Delhi by Ammer Taimur.

A) Mehmood Tughluq fought with an Army against Taimur. After a long war, Mehmmod Tughluq was
defeated, but he somehow escaped and ran towards Gujrat.

After he had captured Delhi, he ordered a General massacre and many people were killed. He then
stopped the massacre on the behalf of Ullama by taking large amount of money from them.

After some days, some soldiers of Ameer Taimur were killed by the citizen, when Taimur heard the news
he again ordered a massacre and about 1000 of Hindustani’s were killed and women and children were
made slave.

After staying in Delhi for 15-16 days, he decided to leave Delhi and left a large booty and ransom behind
making Khizar Khan his Viceroy.

Q24) Tell about the impact of war.

A) After the departure of Taimur, the whole of Northern India was in disorder and confusion. Because all
the crop and stored grains were destroyed and famine and pestilence swooped upon the land and it
took Delhi more than a century to recover. Thousands of innocent people were killed and the whole
Delhi was destroyed.

.) Just like Badauni has said:-

“Delhi was utterly ruined and those of its people who were left there for
whole 2 months and not even a bird moved wing in the city”.

Q25) Tell what happened to Mehmud Tughluq after his defeat from Taimur.
A) Mehmod who had fled to Gujrat after the defeat of Indian army returned to his capital being a weak
king, and he could not prosper any more. He died in 1413 after a reign of 20 years and with him the
Tughluq dynasty ended.