Muhammad bin Tughlaq

Muhammad bin Tughluq, the eighteenth Sultan of Delhi, ruled from February 1325 until his death in 1351. As the eldest son of Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq, the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty, Muhammad faced both praise and criticism during his reign.

His military campaigns in the Deccan Plateau led to the end of the Kakatiya dynasty, but he was also known for impulsive decisions and erratic policies. Visitors described him as an “inhuman eccentric,” and he reportedly ordered the massacre of Kannauj’s inhabitants. Despite these controversies, Muhammad had an interest in medicine and was proficient in several languages, including Persian, Hindavi, Arabic, Sanskrit, and Turkic. Ibn Battuta, the renowned traveler and jurist, chronicled his experiences at the Sultan’s court.

About Muhammad bin Tughlaq

• Muhammad bin Tughluq was born around 1300 CE in Multan (now part of modern-day Pakistan).
• He played a significant role in shaping the Delhi Sultanate during the 14th century.
• He Rose to power during the Sultanate’s peak, blending Persian and Indian styles.
• Muhammad bin Tughluq belonged to the Tughlaq dynasty, descended from a line of monarchs.
• His father, Ghyasuddin Tughlaq, established the Tughlaq Dynasty, influencing Muhammad’s notions of government and rule.
• Reign: 1325 to 1351.
• He is known for his administrative skills and intelligence.
• He shifted the capital from Delhi to the newly constructed Daulatabad (a controversial move).
• Introduced coins bearing his name, symbolizing economic reforms.
• His choices had lasting effects on India’s political landscape.
• Remains a forward-thinking ruler whose decisions sparked debates among contemporaries.

Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s Capital change

• Shift from Delhi to Daulatabad (1327): A surprising decision that shocked contemporaries and historians.
• Reasons for the Move:
  • Security: Daulatabad’s location was seen as more defensible against invasions.
  • Economic Development: Aim to stimulate growth in the Deccan region.
  • Centralized Control: Daulatabad’s position offered better oversight of both north and south India.
• Measures Taken:
  • Infrastructure improvements for easier travel to Daulatabad.
  • Planned city layout with designated quarters for different social groups.
  • Grants are provided to encourage relocation.
• Opposition and hardship:
  • Public disapproval in Delhi against the move.
  • Many lives were lost due to the difficult journey and lack of resources.

Impact of the Capital Change

• The capital relocation aimed to establish control over the entire Indian subcontinent. However, this ambitious goal faced challenges.
• Muhammad bin Tughluq ordered everyone in Delhi to move to the new capital. This mass movement, coupled with neglecting rebellions in Mewar and Dwarasamudra, weakened the Sultanate’s control over these key southern territories.
• Fearing vulnerability to attacks in Delhi’s north, Tughlaq attempted to consolidate his northern borders.
• Despite the strategic intent, the move to Daulatabad proved impractical. Public resistance and logistical difficulties forced Tughlaq to abandon the plan and return the capital to Delhi (Tughlakabad).
• The capital shift ultimately failed. Tughlaq’s successor, Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah, brought the capital back to Delhi in 1335.

Expeditions of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq

• Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the second sultan of the Tughluq dynasty, undertook several military expeditions during his rule.
• After conquering Warangal and Deccan, Tughlaq aimed to expand his empire further.
• He set his sights on annexing the kingdoms of Turkistan and Transoxiana, both ruled by the weakened Chagatai Khanate and Hulagu Khan’s descendants.
• Tughlaq also led an expedition to the Kullu-Kangra region in present-day Himachal Pradesh.
• Some historians speculate that his ultimate goal was to cross the Himalayas and invade China.
• However, the Delhi Sultan’s forces, accustomed to open plains, faced significant challenges in the hilly terrain and encountered strong resistance from the Rajput kingdom of Katoch, led by Dharm Chand.

Religious Policies of Muhammad-bin-Tughluq

Muhammad bin Tughlaq, a ruler in India long ago, had some interesting ways of dealing with religion:

Support for Sufism:

• Muhammad-bin-Tughluq was a follower of Sufism, a spiritual side of Islam.
• He supported Sufi saints and their groups because he thought it would help him become more popular and powerful.

Being Fair to Different Religions:

• Even though he was Muslim, he didn’t force Islamic rules on non-Muslims.
• He let Hindus continue their traditions and festivals without interference.

Controlling Religious Leaders:

• He wanted more control over religious matters, so he picked his own people for important religious jobs. This way, he could have more influence over what religious leaders did.

Policies of Muhammad bin Tughluq

• High taxes imposed on the Doab region led to public upheaval as people fled to escape the burden, causing a decline in agricultural production and food shortages.
• The confusing capital relocation involved a move to Devagiri (Daulatabad) for security reasons, requiring citizens to move as well. The decision was abruptly reversed, forcing people back to Delhi, causing chaos.
• An unsuccessful attempt to introduce a new copper currency resulted in the coins having little worth, leading to the abandonment of this policy.
• Huge military campaigns aimed to conquer Khurasan, Iraq, and Transoxiana, placing immense strain on resources.
• To appease the Mongols, he offered expensive gifts, further depleting the treasury.
• While he had innovative ideas, poor execution and hasty decisions like excessive taxation, a confusing capital shift, a failed currency reform, and extravagant military spending are considered to have weakened the Delhi Sultanate.

Revenue policies

Here’s a rephrased version of the bullet points:

• Muhammad Tughlaq aimed to improve tax collection by creating a detailed record of income and expenses for all princely states. This ensured no village could escape taxation.
• Early in his reign, Tughlaq drastically raised taxes in the Doab region (10-20 times) during a famine caused by poor rainfall. Unable to pay, peasants fled their land, resorting to banditry. Tax collectors’ harsh tactics fueled numerous revolts.
• The harsh tax policy backfired, leading to a decline in Doab’s revenue and a loss of public support for the Sultan.

Agricultural Policies

• Muhammad bin Tughlaq established a dedicated Department of Agriculture led by an “Amir-i-kohi” minister. This ambitious project aimed to increase cultivated land across the kingdom.
• Despite significant investment (nearly 70 lakh rupees over 3 years), the initiative failed. Several factors contributed to its demise:
  • Corruption among officials hampered the project’s effectiveness.
  • Unsuitable land selection for cultivation hindered progress.
  • Assigned cultivators lacked enthusiasm due to government oversight.
• The combined effect of these challenges led to the project’s abandonment within three years.

Muhammad bin Tughlaq Token Currency

• Muhammad bin Tughlaq experimented with token currency during his rule from 1329 to 1332 in the Delhi Sultanate.
• The principal denominations were the Jital (a copper coin) and the Tanka (a silver coin).
• These coins acted as representative units rather than having specific intrinsic values.
• The purpose was to simplify trading and reduce reliance on rare metals.
• The new regime aimed to inhibit the hoarding of gold and silver by guaranteeing their value through government backing.
• Despite the initial intent to boost liquidity, the sudden switch to token currency caused confusion and economic chaos.
• The Jital represented a smaller denomination, while the Tanka had greater value.

Also Read:-

Muhammad Ghori: An Overview

Tughlaq Dynasty: Medieval India History (1320-1414 AD)

Delhi Sultanate: Exploring History, Facts, Maps, and Rulers

Coins of Muhammad bin Tughlaq

• The coins of Muhammad bin Tughlaq reflected the economic state and potential during his rule.
• Craftsmanship: These coins were meticulously crafted and adhered to strict standards, setting them apart in numismatic history.
• Composition: The coins were primarily made of silver and copper.
• Tanka (Silver Coin):
  • Weight: Approximately 10.9 grams.
  • Purpose: Stressed its higher value.
  • Design: Elaborate writing and intricate patterns influenced by Persian aesthetics.
  • Size: 20 mm.
• Jital (Copper Coin):
  • Weight: About 3.4 grams.
  • Craftsmanship: Beautifully crafted.
  • Size: 15 mm with special marks for easy identification.
• Purpose: These coins served not only as a medium of trade but also reflected Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s ideas about money and addressed important economic challenges.
• Creating a strong monetary system involved careful selection of metals and precise coin minting.

Muhammad Bin Tughlaq’s Demise and Legacy

• Muhammad bin Tughlaq died in 1351 while fighting the Taghi tribe in Sindh.
• His reign faced many challenges that weakened the Delhi Sultanate.
• Rajput resistance, led by Hammir Singh, resulted in the loss of Rajputana after the Battle of Singoli (1336).
• Harihara and Bukka established the Vijayanagara Empire, taking over the Madurai Sultanate (key Delhi outpost in South India).
• Rebellions by his own generals further weakened Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s authority, with one general forming the Bahmani kingdom.
• Later Sultanates struggled to expand beyond Delhi due to Rajput opposition.
• South Indian rulers like Musunuri Kaappaaneedu also chipped away at the Sultanate’s control.

Conclusion

Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s rule was an important period for the Delhi Sultanate. By bringing in Tanka and Jital coins to use as part of an experimental money system, he tried to balance new economic ideas with realistic rules.

Also, he created gold, silver, and copper coins for trade. These were parts of his plan to join creative ideas with good ruling tactics. Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s rule showed how medieval sultanate management was changing. He had some wins, but problems like the token money still made trouble.

Even though he faced failures, Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s brave efforts to solve difficult problems still left a big mark in history. Some actions worked well and others were not good for their time.  Historians continue examining his blending of ambition and political realities.

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