THE TUGHLAQS

Muhammad Bin Tughlaq’s administrative experiments and it’s

impact
INTRODUCTIO
N
TUGHLAQ
DYNASTY
GHAZI TUGHLAQ aka GHIASUDDIN
TUGHLAQ/ GHIYATH-UD-DIN
TUGHLUQ laid the foundation stone of
TUGHLAQ DYNASTY in 1320 AD after
assassinating Khusro Shah .
• GHIASUDDIN TUGHLAQ ruled upto 1325 AD and introduced economic and military reforms.

• Son of Ghiasuddin, MUHAMMAD TUGHLAQ, ruled from 1325 to 1351 AD. His imaginary
plans like change of capital, increase of revenues in doab, new currency and plans to win Qarachil
and Khorasan made him a failure.

• After him his cousin (son of paternal uncle) FEROZ SHAH TUGHLAQ ruled from 1351 to 1381
AD and compensated the depressed people by introducing public welfare schemes like
construction of new buildings and change in education system. Downfall of Tughlaq dynasty
started after his death.

• His successors TUGHLAQ SHAH II, ABU-BAKR, MUHAMMAD II, SIKANDER and
MEHMUD provided incapable rulers.
MUHAMMAD TUGHLAQ (1325-
1351 AD)
 He is ranked among the important rulers
of Delhi Sultanate.
 Some historians call him insane on
account of his purposeless policies while
others dub him as an educated fool but
there are still others who accept him as an
important, generous and a competent ruler.
 He had taken noteworthy steps to
streamline the administration and
adopted the policy of liberality and
religious tolerance.
ACCESSION TO POWER
 Prince JUNA KHAN (real name of MUHAMMAD TUGHLAQ) was the eldest son of
GHIASUDDIN TUGHLAQ and succeeded him in 1325 AD.
 He was a distinguished soldier and was appointed as the master of horse of KHUSRO SHAH
and helped his father to overthrow Khusro.
 In 1320 AD GHIASUDDIN became emperor and JUNA KHAN became his heir apparent and
was given the title of Ulugh khan.
 He conquered Warangal.
 He distributed gold and silver coins among the people at the time of his coronation.
 Ruled for 26 years and was a first rate scholar. He was the most learned man of his times. He
had insatiable hunger for knowledge.
• He had a mastery in Arithmetic, Astrology, Geography, History and several languages.
• However, in spite of his knowledge, he was unfortunate because none of his schemes was crowned
with success.
THEORY OF KINGSHIP OF
MUHAMMAD TUGHLAQ
ADMINISTRATION
 He believed in theory of DIVINE RIGHTS OF KINGS AND DESPOTIC SYSTEM OF
GOVERNMENT.
 He regarded SULTAN as the SHADOW OF GOD on earth (AL SULTAN ZILLEH ALLAH).
 He would not tolerate the intervention of any high official or religious leader in the
functioning of his government.
 He would himself appoint Civil and military officers on high posts on the basis of their merit.
His ministers were his ordinary employees.
RELIGIOUS
• He ended the dominance of religious leaders or ulemas in the administration. He adopted a liberal
policy towards the Hindus.

• In order to hide his failures and weaknesses and to appease the ulemas he got inscribed the name of
khalifa on his coins.

• He invited GHIASUDDIN MUHAMMAD, a descendent of the KHALIFA of EGYPT, to Delhi,

honored him with precious gifts and presented him a JAGIR.

• Not only this, rather he placed his foot on his neck and expressed humility for the Islamic leader.

• The main feature of his reign was his policy of toleration towards the Hindus.
PLANS OF MUHAMMAD
TUGHLAQ
He was a progressive ruler gifted with the keen desire to bring about some innovations. Plans he
made, have been given below :
1. TRANSFER OF CAPITAL, 1327-29 AD
 The plan of transferring the capital was the most significant experiment of MUHAMMAD
TUGHLAQ.
 In 1327 AD, he decided to shift his capital from Delhi to Devgiri (Daultabad), located in south
of Vindhyachal mountains.
Reasons associated: - Central location of Devgiri, it was nearly equidistant from almost all the
prominent towns of India such as Delhi, Lakhnauti, Gujarat and from distant south. Easier to
wield proper authority all over the empire from such a strategic place.
- It was easier to protect the capital from the Mongol invasions.
- One more authentic reason was that by shifting his capital to Devgiri, Sultan wanted to have
effective control over the far flung and rich regions of south. The Sultan tried to make Daultabad
a suitable city for his people.
- Sultan offered several facilities to them to cover distance from Delhi to Devgiri, still the people had
to bear lot of misery and loss on the account of the transfer.

However MUHAMMAD TUGHLAQ realized that the transfer of capital was a grave error because, it
resulted in the deterioration of administration in the North India. So, he reversed the decision.
Delhi lost it’s former prosperity and grandeur.

CRITICISM :
• Shifting of capital to Devgiri, far off from the north-west frontier as India can be guarded only by
checking the possible invasions from this front.
• Plan caused great suffering to the general public. Plan wasn’t executed properly, it would have been
proper for him to shift only government offices.
• There was no basic fault in plan of shifting capital but in giving the practical shape to the plan.
• Argument that goes in favor of Muhammad Tughlaq is that realizing his folly of his experiment he
reversed his decision and made Delhi the capital once again.
2. INCREASE IN TAX RATE IN
DOAB, 1330 AD :
 He increased the rate of land revenue in the Doab between the Ganga and the Yamuna and
revived some additional cesses.
 Barani says that he wished to punish people of Doab, perhaps for their non cooperation during
the shifting of capital. However, this reason isn’t convincing.
 He had taken this step to mobilize financial resources, to revamp his military prowess and to
run administration efficiently.
 Since Doab was the most fertile area of his empire, the tax rate was enhanced to increase
income.
 Regarding tax increase, Barani says it increased ten times whereas Farishta claims it was four
times and both are incorrect. Possibly it was doubled.
CRITICISM:
• Tax rate was enforced when famine prevailed in Doab. Despite it government officials continued
to collect tax resulting in peasants shifting places.
• Enraged emperor brought them back making their life more miserable.
• However on knowing about famine, he stopped tax collection and helped famine stricken people
and was forced to withdraw his scheme.
• The failure of plan was due to it’s implementation at inopportune time.
3. CREATION OF NEW
AGRICULTURAL
DEPARTMENT :
 “DIWAN-I-KOHLI”, aimed at making the barren land fit for cultivation.
 An area of 60 miles was ear marked for experiment
 70 lakh tankas (coin) within a span of three years were spent on it to convert it into fertile land
but the experiment met the fate of his other plans.

TANKA COIN
REASONS BEHIND FAILURE OF PLAN

1. The land for experiment was absolutely barren.

2. The Sultan did not give personal attention to the plan.

3. Since he was rash, he gave up the plan after the short period of three years.

4. The corrupt officers pocketed a large amount of wealth ear- marked for the purpose.
4. ISSUE OF COPPER AND
BRASS COINAGE 1330-32
AD:
 His experiment with monetary system was inspired from the rulers of China and Iran who had
successfully used paper currency in their countries.
 The issue of copper coinage was not due to dire economy but Sultan’s desire for new
experiments motivated his scheme and he wished to stabilize his economic conditions.
 He committed the grave error of not keeping a proper control over the government mint house.
Thus, there was no distinction between the government coins and coins forged by the people
which impacted trade.
 Monetary experiment failed like other schemes and led the people to believe that
MUHAMMAD TUGHLAQ was a fool and was losing his credibility.
 However, it was a step a step towards the improvement of economy and was a wise move,
aiming at saving gold reserves for foreign trade and other necessary affairs but once again
Sultan failed in proper implementation of the scheme.
5. PLAN TO ATTACK
KHORASAN, 1337 AD:
 In 1337 AD, MUHAMMAD TUGHLAQ along with Mongol chief TARAMSHIRIN and the
SULTAN of EGYPT planned to conquer KHORASAN where anarchy prevailed.
 Sultan prepared a huge army of 3,70,000 soldiers and provided them with salary for one year,
incurring a great expenditure, but scheme failed TARAMSHIRIN and SULTAN OF EGYPT
gave up the plan of invasion owing to a change in local conditions.
 State incurred financial loss and even if he had acquired some part of KHORASAN it would
not have been possible to keep vigil on distant land.
 Later on, the English too had to suffer great hardships in Afghanistan.
6. ATTACK ON QARACHIL:
 MUHAMMAD TUGHLAQ launched attack on qarachil to fulfil his imperialistic desires.
 The first attack was success but epidemic broke out in the army on account of heavy rains.
Shortage of foodgrains forced army to retreat.
 It was not an utter failure because the hill chiefs came to terms with the Sultan.
CONCLUSION
OF PLANNING BY MUHAMMAD TUGHLAQ
 His almost all schemes failed. There was nothing wrong with schemes but with
implementation. The plans were neither visionary nor foolish.
 He had taken bold experiments motivated by public welfare, efficient administration and
economic growth, but unfortunately, he failed to get cooperation of officials and public.
 Sultan was impulsive and failed in the proper implementation of the schemes.
ADMINISTRATION
 MUHAMMAD TUGHLAQ was a competent and skillful administrator.
 Adopted policy of religious tolerance.
 Hindus enjoyed religious rights and held higher positions in his empire. He tried to put an end
to sati.
 He displeased Muslim population.
 He was generous and liberal king who believed in charity. He helped Doab people during
famine.
 He adopted measures to streamline the functioning of the revenue department.
 He paid special attention to agricultural and established a special department which helped
farmers and also gave loans to them.
 He rendered noteworthy service in the field of judiciary. His brother used to hold judicial courts.
Although the department did away with the control of the Maulvis. Not even mighty could escaped
from judicial review which made it impartial.

 He was idealist so he had to face the revolts. States of Mewar and Bengal broke away from his yoke.

 To enhance his prestige he invited the ambassador of the Khalifa to India in 1344 AD. Still he failed
to be popular among people.
 CHARACTER ESTIMATE OF
MUHAMMAD TUGHLAQ :

CONFLICTING VIEWS OF HISTORIANS

According to some he was a queer

His bitter critics perceived him as
mixture of merits and demerits.
insane, foolish and ruthless.
Havell, Elphinstone and Dr. Smith

Some considered him to be a scholar and

farsighted emperor, whom people of his
time failed to understand.
Dr. Ishwari Prasad and Brown
1. AS A MAN :

GREAT SCHOLAR
 He was a learned and accomplished scholar who had an insatiable hunger for knowledge.
 He was an outstanding scholar of Mathematics, Astrology, Geography, History, Logic and could
compose fine poetry.
 Most educated of all the Muslim emperors.

RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE
 He was a devout Muslim, rigidly followed the practice of offering ‘NAMAZ’ five times in a day and
observing Rozas during Ramzan.
 He accorded warm welcome to ambassador of Khalifa of Egypt and got his recognition.
 Followed policy of religious tolerance towards the Hindus.
 He did not accept the undisputed authority of Qazis and Maulvis.
CHARITABLE
 He gave liberal help to the people and never tightened his purse-strings while giving alms.
 Ibanbatuta commended his generosity.

AFFECTIONATE FAMILY MAN

 He got his father’s named engraved on his coins. Thus, many historians refute the charges of him
being an assassin of his father.
 He had great love for his cousin Firoz Tughlaq.

PIOUS LIFE
 He was not given to drinking and merry-making.
 He observed high moral values.

FAULTS IN HIS PERSONALITY

 He was very proud of his learning. So, he thought it below his dignity to seek advice from others
 He was a tyrant, who lost his temper over trivial matters and awarded severe penalties to the people.
 He was impulsive. The lacked practical wisdom was a serious flaw.
2. AS A GENERAL :
 He was a brave warrior and a competent military hero who achieved great landmarks, built a large
empire with his military skills.

 Impractical schemes led to several failures like conquest of Khorasan, expedition of Qarachil.

 His military inefficiency get highlighted when he instead of facing of Mongols sent them back by
bribing.

 Many states broke from his dominion because of revolts he can’t suppress.
3. AS A RULER :
 He wasn’t a successful ruler.
 He streamlined his administration. Religious chiefs were not allowed to interfere in administrative
affairs.
 Appointments were made without distinction of caste or creed.
 Special efforts in agriculture department.
UNFORTUNATELY ALL HIS SCHEMES FAILED

 His performance in judicial field is praiseworthy.

 He was not biased at all.
HE WAS AN EDUCATED FOOL :
 One school of thought considered him as an insane and fool. Special mentions: Havell,
Elphinstone and Dr. Smith.
 He would revoke the orders as impulsively as he issued them for instance: transfer of capital,
increase of taxes in Doab, promulgation of copper coinage and invasion of Khorasan etc.
 Both general public and government offices were upset by his actions.

While Dr. Ishwari Prasad and Brown tried to refute this bitter criticism by highlighting his
intelligence and far sightedness through a thorough study of his schemes. Thus, it is unfair to
call him mad or foolish
HE WAS A MIXTURE OF
OPPOSITES :
 He was the most accomplished scholar of his time but was completely lacking in practical
intelligence.
 He was cruel that he awarded death penalties for petty crimes as Barani mentioned dead
bodies lying outside his palace. But he believed in charity too without having a tinge of pride.
 He adopted religious tolerance towards Hindus and at the same time he welcomed Khalifa of
Egypt, got his recognition and engraved Khalifa’s name on the coins.
 Being rash and arrogant, he implemented his schemes without consulting anyone. However,
on realizing failure of the schemes, he would withdraw the same without thinking the
consequence.
 Being ambitious he tried to expand his empire but failed to stabilize his actual empire.
DISAFFECTION AND REVOLTS
AGAINST MUHAMMAD
TUGHLAQ :
People turned against him because of his obstinacy and repressive measures.
His wrong and indiscrete policies aroused insurgency in Sagar, Multan, Bengal, Mewar, Kara,
Avadh, Warangal and Dwarsamudra and many places in Devgiri and Gujarat.
Tughlaq dynasty suffered a great set back because of these revolts.
CAUSES OF DISAFFECTION
AND REVOLTS:
1. A MIXTURE OF OPPOSING ELEMENTS
He was a scholar, talented, competent, charitable and generous man but at the same time
suffered from defects of being cruel, ruthless, obstinate, impulsive, arrogant and short tempered.
Merits were eclipsed by his demerits.
2. LACK OF PRACTICABILITY AND FARSIGHTEDNESS
He could not give practical shape to his plans and wished to impose his schemes on people in a
willful and ruthless manner which aroused anger of people.
3. CRUEL AND BLOOD SUCKER
Enraged to point of madness, he gave severe punishments to people. For instance, his own
nephew was physically tortured and his relatives were forced to eat his flesh.
4. RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE
He was rigid Sunni Musalman but kept his politics aloof from religion.
He appointed Hindus at high posts because of policy of religious tolerance.
He rendered the Ulemas ineffective. Thus, he lost goodwill of Muslim clergy and general Muslim
public because of his liberal policy.

5. STRANGE AND VISIONARY PLANS

He conceived new schemes without considering their practicability and implemented them ruthlessly
which led to huge loss of wealth and harm to public.

6. EMPTY TREASURY DUE TO LIBERAL DONATIONS

About 4000 people daily took food in the free kitchen started by the State and he liberally distributed
wealth and jagirs which damaged state economy.

7. INGRATITUDE OF THE FOREIGNERS

He had given shelter to several foreigners (Afghans, Iranians and Mongols) in his court and financial
assistance too, but they betrayed him.
8. NATURAL CALAMITIES :
Famine struck the Doab when taxes were enhanced.
During his expedition of Qarachil, thousands of soldiers died on account of epidemic.
Adverse circumstances forced him to abandon Khorasan campaign.
Conditions of draught and famine prevailed for a period of about 10 years during his reign.

9. CONSERVATIVE ATTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE :

He planned new schemes visualizing the future while the people of his time were conservative and
backward and failed to comprehend his plans and took him a fool.

10. LACK OF CAPABLE ADVISORS

He never took advice from his nobles and friends. He did not have capable advisors the type of which
Alauddin Khilji like Ulag Khan, Jafar Khan, Malik Kafur, Qazi-ul-mulk and Nusrat Khan. There was
none to warn him against the consequences of his schemes.

11. A VAST EMPIRE

He had a vast empire, spreading over the whole of North India and a large part of south India. Due to
underdeveloped means of transport, it was no easy to take control over it. Hence the occurrence of
revolts in far flung province was natural.
9. FOOLISH DECCAN POLICY
He was an imperialist.
For his avarice for expansion, he annexed deccan states ignoring practicability and had to face revolts
.
On the contrary, Alauddin Khilji conquered Southern states and expecting their promise of submitting
to his authority and paying a tribute, had allowed them to rule over their states.

10. REVOLTS OF PROVINCIAL GOVERNORS

The revolts of distant provincial governors caused his failures. While he would be on his way to
suppress the revolt in one state, another state would raise its head. Naturally, he failed to devote his
undivided attention to the success of the schemes.
EFFECTS OF DISAFFECTIONS
AND REVOLTS
 The liberal donations, wastage of money on military expedition preparations, transfers of
capital, change of currency, expenditure to crush internal disputes EMPTIED TREASURY.
 SET BACK TO MILITARY GLORY
o Epidemic harmed army during the Qarachil military expedition and led to huge financial loss
too.
o Similarly he had to drop plan to conquer Khorasan leading financial loss.
o Instead of facing Mongols he bribed them and sent them back.
o All these developments exposed his weaknesses and he had to face so many internal disputes
which gave setback to his military glory.
 SUFFERINGS OF THE PEOPLE

 FAILURE OF VISIONARY SCHEMES

 BAD CONDITIONS OF PEASANTRY

 ENCOURAGEMENT TO MONGOL INVASIONS

 UNPOPULARITY OF THE SULTAN

 LAWLESSNESS AND DISORDER IN COUNTRY

 INTERNAL REVOLTS
CONCLUSION :
 He was intelligent but lacked practical knowledge and
HE WAS NEITHER
implementation.
FOOLISH NOR INSANE
 He was not a religious fanatic. BUT QUEER MIXTURE
 He was generous and kind, led pious life. He incurred
OF OPPOSITES.
financial losses because of his munificence but failed to earn
goodwill of people.
 He was short tempered.
 He was not lucky enough to have competent advisors like
those of Alauddin Khilji.
 He was one of the most extraordinary monarchs.