The Delhi Sultans - Long Answer Questions
It first became a capital under the Tomara Rajputs in the 12th century.
Learned men, secretaries, administrators, poets, and courtiers who lived in cities (mainly Delhi) and wrote histories for Sultans in hope of rewards.
They advised rulers on preserving an 'ideal' social order based on birthright and gender distinctions.
Daughter of Sultan Iltutmish. She became Sultan in 1236. She was more qualified than her brothers. However, nobles were not comfortable with a queen.
A fortified settlement with soldiers.
Rebellion, war, and bad weather could snap fragile communication lines.
Ghiyasuddin Balban, Alauddin Khalji, and Muhammad Tughluq.
The lands adjacent to a city or port that supply it with goods and services.
Consolidating the hinterlands of garrison towns. Clearing forests in Ganga-Yamuna doab and giving land to peasants.
Military expeditions into southern India (started by Alauddin Khalji).
Arabic word for a place where a Muslim prostrates in reverence to Allah.
The direction towards Mecca. In India, this is to the west.
Special slaves purchased for military service (Persian term). They were carefully trained to man important political offices.
They were totally dependent upon the master and thus loyal. However, this angered the elite/nobles.
The land assigned to military commanders (Iqtadars or Muqtis) as salary. They collected revenue from these lands to pay their soldiers.
He introduced a token currency made of bronze/copper (cheap metals) to replace silver. People counterfeited it easily, leading to failure.
Alauddin built a large standing army to *defend* against Mongols (Garrison town Siri). Tughluq raised an army to *attack* Transoxiana and shifted the capital to Daulatabad.
A 14th-century traveller from Morocco, Africa who visited India during Tughluq's rule.
They ruled from Delhi and Agra after the Tughluqs (1414-1451 and 1451-1526).
He started as a small manager and rose to defeat Mughal emperor Humayun. He established the Suri dynasty.
The Delhi Sultans - Important Facts
Delhi became a commercial centre under Tomaras and Chauhans.
Coins minted in Delhi were called Dehliwal.
Tarikh (singular) / Tawarikh (plural) are histories.
Language of administration was Persian.
Raziyya was removed from throne in 1240.
Minhaj-i-Siraj wrote about Raziyya.
Expansion occurred in early 13th century.
Forests were cleared in the Doab.
Regional trade was encouraged.
Alauddin Khalji managed the market strictly.
Muhammad Tughluq shifted capital to Daulatabad.
The shift to Daulatabad failed.
Mongol invasions increased under Khalji and Tughluq.
Genghis Khan invaded Transoxiana in 1219.
Quwwat-al-Islam mosque was built by Qutbuddin Aybak.
Iqtadar meant holder of an Iqta.
Muqti's duty was military campaigns.
Accountants checked the Muqti's revenue.
Kharaj: Tax on cultivation (50% of produce).
Taxes on cattle and houses existed.
Sultans forced chieftains to pay taxes.
Mongols defeated repeatedly by Khalji.
Price control was Alauddin's masterstroke.
Soldiers were paid in cash by Khalji.
Tughluq's administrative measures were a failure.
Tughluq planned to invade Mongol lands.
Sayyid Dynasty followed Tughluqs.
Lodi Dynasty followed Sayyids.
Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi in 1526.
Sher Shah Suri ruled 1540-1545.
Akbar followed Sher Shah's administration model.
Mosque is a place of gathering (Jama Masjid).
Khutba is the sermon during Friday prayer.
Clients are people under protection of another.
Slaves were preferred over sons by some Sultans.
New social classes rose to power.
Old nobility criticized the new high officers.
Ziyauddin Barani criticized Tughluq's appointments.
Begumpuri mosque built by Muhammad Tughluq.
Moth ki Masjid built in Lodi era.
Siri was a garrison town.
Farmers paid 50% tax in Khalji's time.
Communication was difficult across the empire.
Local chieftains often defied the Sultan.
Ibn Battuta described the chieftain's forts.
Bamboo was used in fortifications.
Three orders: Peace of God, Knighthood, Crusades.
Delhi Sultanate established in early 13th Century.
Anangapala (Tomara) ruled in mid-11th century.
The Delhi Sultans - Important Dates/Terms
Raziyya becomes Sultan
Alauddin Khalji's reign
Muhammad Tughluq's reign
Battle of Panipat (End of Sultanate)