STRUCTURE:

INTRODUCTION – Few lines about Alauddin Khilji

BODY – Explain the administrative reforms of Alauddin Khilji

CONCLUDE - Conclude by writing about how reforms helped Alauddin Khilji and other aspects

Alauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi (1296–1316), was known for his significant administrative reforms aimed at strengthening the central authority and maintaining order in his vast empire.

His Key Reforms include:

• Centralized Revenue Collection:
  • Established a separate revenue agency as Diwan-i-Muskharaj.
  • Introduced a system where taxes were directly collected from farmers
  • Imposed grazing (Charai) and house taxes (Ghari) on both peasants and village officials.
• Spy and Postal Systems: A spy network by the name Barids and a postal system were maintained to monitor nobles and ensure efficient communication.
• Military Reforms:
  • Expanded the standing army
  • Introduced the Chehra (soldier records) and Dagh (horse branding) system
  • First sultan who paid soldiers in cash instead of booty shares.

• The market in charge, Shahana-i-mandi, maintained a watch on the prices of key commodities.

• Market Reforms:

• The market in charge, Shahana-i-mandi, maintained a watch on the prices of key commodities.

• • implemented strict price controls and stored grains in royal granaries to mitigate famine effects to maintain low prices for essential goods
  • Surveillance network was established to prevent black-marketing and hoarding.
• Administrative Reforms:
  • Banned sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages and intoxicants in and around Delhi.
  • He believed in the divine right theory and distinguished between religion and politics.
  • He took a number of steps to avoid rebellions, including
    • Limiting matrimonial alliances among nobles
    • preventing secret gatherings and parties
    • prohibiting ulemas from interfering with administration.

• Khots and muqaddams lost their privileges and taxed them equally as peasants to curb their power.

Alauddin Khilji’s administrative reforms benefitted him in consolidating a large empire, ensuring stability . However, his policies, particularly the heavy taxation and control over nobility, sometimes led to discontent. Despite this, his reforms left a lasting impact on the governance of the Delhi Sultanate.