Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320)
After the death of Balban, there was not an able ruler of the Slave Dynasty. So, in 1290, Firoz (commander-in-chief of Balban) took a bold step by murdering Kaimur. From here he ascended the throne, eliminating the Slave Dynasty. Firoz took the title of Jalaluddin Khalji.
Khalji Dynasty: Jalaluddin Khalji (1290-1296)
He was the founder of the Khalji Dynasty. At the age of 70, he ascended the throne. He was a famous Turkish Commander. Jalaluddin Khalji defeated Mongols in 22 battles. He also mitigated the harsh rules made during the reign of Balban.
Actually, he was the first ruler of Delhi Sultanate to clearly put forward the views that the state of India should be governed according to the will of the majority. He also said that the large majority of the people in India were Hindus. So, the state of India could not be a truly Islamic State.
Jalaluddin was a liberal man and tried to win the goodwill of the nobility by a policy of tolerance. The great example of his generosity was, he appointed Malik Chhajju as the governor of the Kara region. Though Malik Chhajju was the son-in-law of Balban.
During his reign, he made his nephew and son-in-law Ali Gurshap or Alauddin Khalji as Governor of the Kara region after Malik Chhajju deceived him. It was Alauddin Khalji who took the expedition of Deogiri without the permission of the Sultan.
So, when Jalaluddin Khalji visited Allahabad to reprimand Alauddin Khalji. Alauddin Khalji deceived and killed the Sultan Jalaluddin Khalji. So, from here started the era of one of the most controversial Sultans of Delhi Sultanate ie Alauddin Khalji.
Khalji Dynasty: Alauddin Khalji (1296-1316)
Economic Reforms
Land Reforms
In agricultural reforms, he went for land reforms. Inland reforms, he became the first Sultan of Medieval India who started the measurement of land. So, the unit of land measurement was Biswa (Later became Bigha). He ended the feudal and hereditary rights inland. He snatched the land which was given to farmers and kept this land as Khalisa, the crown land. So, the Khalisa was under the direct control of King.
Land Revenue
Alauddin was the first Sultan who took 50 percent of land revenue. By taking 50 percent of land revenue he increased the treasury of Empire. So, as increased the purchasing power of the people. He also established a department Diwan-i-Mushtkharaj, to collect the arrears of feudal lords or zamindars.
Market Reforms
The most important step of Alauddin Khalji was his market reforms. In the entire Medieval History, the Khalji Dynasty in general and Alauddin Khalji, in particular, was famous for market reforms. Alauddin Khalji was the first Sultan of Delhi Sultanate to have a big standing army.
It seems to overcome the vicious cycle of inflation and to provide stability to the soldiers of the army. Alauddin Khalji came out with the market reforms policy. The important features of this policy were,
Establishment of 3 Markets
- Mandi: Market of Food Grains.
- Sarai Adal: Market of Clothes.
- The market for animals and slaves.
He appointed a superintendent Sahna-i-Mandi, who was assisted by an intelligence officer. Alauddin received daily reports of the market from two other independent sources Barid and Munhhiyans (secret spies). The spy system during the Khalji Dynasty was very well-established.
The prices of the commodities in the market remained the same throughout the reign of Alauddin Khalji. Rai-Parwana was the head of all these markets. He maintained personal interest to protect these markets. Barani, the contemporary historian called the reign of Alauddin Khalji as the wonder of the age.
Political Reforms
Alauddin Khalji gave emphasis on the divine rights of the Kingship. He stopped the Ullemmas to interfere in the administration. He also gave a high emphasis on justice. However, the most important political reform was the Policy of Expansion.
We will discuss the Policy of Expansion of Alauddin Khalji in detail in the upcoming post.
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