Question : Analyse the ordinances mentioned by Barani which Alauddin Khalji promulgated for market control.
(2014)
Answer : Barani mentions some seven ordinances promulgated by Alauddin Khilji for market control. These ordinances include fixation of price of almost all commodities by state, appointment of superintendent for markets, collection of revenue in grains, facilitation of transport facility from Doab to Delhi, punishment for black marketing, proper system of revenue collection and purchase of grains by the state authority and daily reports to the sultan of these markets from independent sources (spies).
The other rulers of ....
Question :
Medieval Indian towns were merely an extension of villages. Comment.
(2012)
Answer : Towns and Town life are considered to be an index of the state of development and culture in a country. According to Abul Fazl, “People that are attached to the world will collect in towns, without them there would be no progress.” The growth of town became faster in 18th C than 16th and 17th centuries.
The smallest towns in India, the Qasba has been defined as a village with market. Gradually this town became a ....
Question : Examine the increasing importance of maritime trade of India during 13th to 15th century.
(2010)
Answer : In historical studies the time frame from 13th to 15th century corresponds to the rule of Sultanat of Delhi. The establishment of Sultanat of Delhi was a departure from commercial anemia which afflicted the early medieval period.
The establishment of Sultanat brought different ruling class that had needs of leisure and comforts of different type. The sultanat brought about centralisation in India from political and economic perspective which paved way for political and economic stability. Sultanat ....
Question : Muhammad Tughluq as an agrarian innovator.
(2009)
Answer : Among sultans of Delhi Saltanate Muhammad Tughlaq was most controversial. In fact he was a well read person and used to believe in new ideas and experimentations. He had new visions and he wanted to implement them to benefit his kingdom. The experiment undertaken by him in the field of agriculture was one such step which failed him though he started some new trends which bore fruit in later times. In 1329-30 Muhammad bin Tughlaq ....
Question : Identify the main factors that sustained the expansion of urban economy in the Delhi Sultanate.
(2009)
Answer : There were some most important factors responsible for the expansion of market economy during sultanate period. These factors include monetization of economy, issuing several metal coins, centralization of the administration and regularization of the revenue system. In the first half of the 14th century, the Sultanate introduced a monetary economy in the provinces (sarkars) and districts (parganas) that had been established and founded a network of market centers through which the traditional village economies were ....
Question : The Khilji Revolution.
(2006)
Answer : One of the most brilliant epochs in the history of medieval India and the one which has evinced much of scholar’s interest is the Khilji Revolution.
The Khilji Revolution marked the overthrow of the Slave Dynasty and the establishment of the rule of the Khilji dynasty in the reign of Delhi Sultanate. It was not merely a change in the dynasty but the very nature of the state was poised for a revolution under the Khiljis.
The ....
Question : The Token Currency System introduced by Muhammad Tughlaq.
(2004)
Answer : Muhammad Bin Tughlaq is known for his active interest in experimenting with the coinage. He implanted his character and activities on his coinage and produced abundant gold coins compared to any of his predecessors. He overtook them by executing a fine calligraphy and by issuing number of fractional denominations. An experiment with his forced currency places him in the rank of one of the greatest moneyers of Indian history though it wasn’t successful in India.
The ....
Question : Experiments of Mohammad Tughluq.
(2003)
Answer : In the medieval Indian history, Mohammad Tughluq is known for his new and revolutionary experiments. He made five plans and tried to implement them. But he could not fully control the execution of the plans. His experiments failed because of natural calamity. According to the historians, his experiments were not wrong but were executed at a wrong time as these were far ahead of their times. Following are his experiments:
Question : Assess the impact of the market reforms of Alauddin Khilji on contemporary economy and society.
(2001)
Answer : The market reform of Alauddin Khilji was one of the most effective and far reaching economic regulation of the Sultanate period. It did not remain confined to rural economy but extended to urban market as well. He issued a set of seven regulations which came to be known as market control measures.
These measures were enacted to regulate the activities of the traders who brought grain to Delhi. The Sultan fixed the prices of all commoditions ....
Question : Form an estimate of the personality of Firoz Shah Tughlaq with special reference to his religious policy and public works.
(2000)
Answer : Firoz Tughlaq came to the throne in 1351 A.D. and ruled for about 37 years up to 1388 A.D. The Muslims regarded Firoz Shah as an ideal ruler who tried to rule strictly according to the Quran. Firoz Tughlaq tried to serve his people in the best way he could and that is why some historians like Sir Henry Elliot compare him even with Akbar. He introduced reforms in all the branches of his administration ....
Question : Alauddin Khilji was tpical despot.
(1999)
Answer : Ala-ud-Din was a great military general. Not only this, by his military exploits he greatly increased the extent of the Muslim empire in India, and conquered most of the Hindu states in the North and over ran the whole of the South. Himself a brave and courageous soldier he enjoyed the full confidence of his soldiers. He, in fact, carried the mlitaristic ideal of Balban to its logical conclusion. He soon realised that so long ....
Question : Throw light on the Land Revenue System of Sultante Period.
(1998)
Answer : There were four categories of land. The first was the iqta. For the purpose of administration and revenue collection, the state was parcelled out into tracts called iqtas under iqtadars on muqtis. An iqta holder was expected to collect the revenue and deduct from in the amount granted to him, the balance was to be remitted to the central government. If realization from an iqta fell short of the amount granted the deficit from the ....
Question : Discuss the implications of Khilji with reference to administration and economic regulations on the state and people of India.
(1997)
Answer : The historical interest of Ala-ud-din Khiji’s administration and economic policy is beyond dispute. His economic policy is hailed as a marvel of medieval statesmanship by Ishwari Prasad. Most of the contemporary writers such as Hafif, Ibn Batuta, Isami, Chirag Maintain that the control of prices war for the benefit of the general public. Most of these writers, except Barni, felt that the king had firm ideas on the responsibilities of kingship. But modern research shows ....
Question : Make a comparative review of the agrarian reforms of Alau-ud-Din Khalji and Sher Shah Suri.
(1995)
Answer : Alau-ud-din Khalji and Sher Shah Suri were great rulers of medieval India who are known for their administrative reforms. The agrarian reforms they formulated became guidelines for their successors. So far as the reforms made by these two rulers are concerned, they cannot be termed as agrarian reforms in true sense. Here these are associated with the reforms of revenue structure.
The chief source of income of the state was land revenue. Alau-ud-Din was the first ....
