Rulers and Policies of Tughlaq Dynasty

Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq 1320-24 AD

• Ghazni Malik the last king of the Khilji dynasty, Khusrau Khan and assumed the title     Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.
• He founded the city of Tughlaqabad.
• Khusrau Khan, the last king of the Khilji dynasty was killed by Ghazni Malik, and Ghazni Malik ascended the throne assuming the title GhiyasuddinTughlaq.
• He died in an accident and his soneJauna (Ulugh Khan) succeeded him under the title Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq.
• Reintroduced the food laws of Ala-ud-Din
• Suppressed the rebellions in the distant provinces with a strong hand and resorted the peace and order
• Organized a better postal system
• Encouraged agriculture

In 1323, he defeated the ruler of Warrangal and annexed his territory. A war of succession was going on in Bengal. Ghiyas-ud-din took an advantage of such a situation and invaded Bengal. He suppressed the rebels and in this way, Bengal also became a part of his empire.

Mohammad-bin Tughlaq (1325-1351 AD)

Mohammad bin Tughlaq is best remembered as a ruler who undertake a number of bold experiments and showed a keen interest in agriculture. He was deeply read in religion and philosophy and had a critical and open mind. He had a deep interest in philosophy, astronomy, logic, and mathematics. He conversed not only with the Muslim mystics but also with the Hindu yogis and Jain saints such as Junaprabha Suri.

• Taxation in the Doab: The Sultan made an ill-advised financial experiment in the Doab between the Ganges and Jamuna. He not only increased the rate of taxation but also revived and created some additional Abwabs or cesses. Although the share of the state remained half as in the time of Alauddin, it was fixed arbitrarily and not on the basis of actual produce.
• Transfer of Capital (1327): It appears that the Sultan wanted to make Deogir second capital so that he might be able to control south India better. Deogir was named Daulatabad. However, after a couple of years, Muhammad Tughlaq decided to abandon Daulatabad largely because he soon found that just as he could not control south India from Delhi, he could not control North from Daulatabad.
• Introduction of Token Currency (1330): Muhammad Tughlaq decided to introduce bronze coins, which were to have the same value as the silver coins. Muhammad Tughlaq might have been successful if he could prevent people from forging the new coins. He was not able to do so and so on the new coins began to be greatly devalued in markets.
• Transfer of the capital from Daultabad, earlier known as Devagiri.
• Introduction of token copper currency to replace gold and silver coins.
• Unsuccessful expedition to subjugate Quarajal-the region identified as the modern Kulu in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.
• Futile plan to conquer Khurasan and Iraq.
• Creation of Diwan-i-Kohi
• Independence of dinar (a gold coin) and all(a silver coin).
• Establishment of the city of Jahanpanah.
• The arrival of an envoy from the Chinese ruler, ToghanTimur(1341)
• The famous Moroccan traveler Ibn Batuta visited India during his reign.

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Firoz Shah Tughlaq(1351-1388 AD)

• He was a cousin of Mohammad-bin-Tughlaq. After his death, the nobles and the theologians of the court selected Firoz Shah as the next Sultan.
• Established of Diwan-i-Khairat (department for poor and needy people) and Diwan-l-Bundagan (department of slaves)
• Making the Iqtadari system hereditary.
• Construction of canals for irrigation from
• The Yamuna to the city of Hissar
• From the Sutlej to the Ghaggar
• From the Ghaggar to Firuzabad
• From Mandvi and Sirmour Hills to Hansi in Haryana.
• Establishment of four new towns, Firuzabad, Fatebabad, Jaunpur, and Hissar.
• He rebuilt two stories of Qutub Minar which were damaged by lightning in 1368 AD.

Post Firoz Shah Tughlaq

• The Tughlaq dynasty would not survive much after Firoz Shah’s death. The Malwa, Gujarat, and Sharqi (Jaunpur) Kingdoms broke away from the Sultanate.
• Timur Invasion: (1398-99) Timur, a Turk, invaded India in 1398 during the reign of Nasir-ud-din Mohammed Tughlaq, the last ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty. His army mercilessly sacked and plundered Delhi. Timur returned to Central Asia, leaving a nominee to rule Punjab which ended the Tughlaq dynasty.

Tughlaq Dynasty: FAQ

Q. Who is the founder of Tughlaq dynasty?
Ans: Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq was the founder of the Tughluq dynasty.

Q. Who was the last ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty?
Ans: Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah Tughluq also known as Nasiruddin Mohammad Shah, was the last sultan of the Tughlaq dynasty.