Alauddin Khalji (1296-1316) : Medieval Indian History
He framed regulations to control the nobles. He was convinced that the general prosperity of the nobles, intermarriages between noble families, inefficient spy-system and drinking liquor were the basic reasons for the rebellions.
Therefore, he framed many rules to forbid these things. He rigorously enforced them so much so that he punished even his trusted friends for violating them. His objective was, all nobles should be poor and must live with austerity.
Therefore, he passed four ordinances. He confiscated the properties of the nobles. The intelligence system was reorganized and all the secret activities of the nobles were immediately reported to the Sultan.
The public sale of liquor and drugs was totally stopped. Social gatherings and festivities without the permission of Sultan were forbidden. By such harsh measures his reign was free from rebellions.
Reforms of Alauddin Khalji
Central and most tax and revenue administrations were designed by Malik-i-Adil’s reforms. A large permanent standing army and paid them in cash from the royal treasury fed at the expense of the state. This ensured that no soldier would return to his home town, and tendered him to the central government.
He introduced the system of dagh (branding of horses) and prepared huliya (descriptive list of soldiers). In order to ensure maximum efficiency, a strict review of army from time to time was carried out.
The introduction of paying salaries in cash to the soldiers led to price regulations popularly called as Market Reforms. Each market was under the control of a high officer called Shahna-i-Mandi.
Regulations were issued to fix the price of all commodities. A separate department called Diwani Riyasat was created under an officer called Naib-i-Riyasat.
Every merchant was registered under the Market department. There were secret agents called munhiyans who sent reports to the Sultan regarding the functioning of these markets.
Violation of regulations was severely punished. Harsh punishment was given if any shopkeeper charged a higher. Even during the famine the same price was maintained.
Alauddin Khalji took important steps in the land revenue administration. He was the first Sultan of Delhi who ordered for the measurement of land. Even the big landlords could not escape from paying land tax.
Land revenue was collected in cash in order to enable the Sultan to pay the soldiers in cash. His land revenue reforms provided a basis for the future reforms of Sher Shah and Akbar
Alauddin Khalji sent his army six times against the Mongols. Mongol invasions were also dealt with severely. He sent Nusrat Khan and Ulugh Khan to capture Gujarat in 12S9.
Kafur, an eunuch, was also taken to Delhi and later he was made the Malik Naib — military commander. Then in 1301,A1auddin marched against Ranthampur and after a three month’s siege it fell. The Rajput women committed jauhar or self-immolation.
In 1303 Alauddin stormed the Chittor fort. Raja Ratan Singh and his soldiers fought valiantly but submitted. The Rajput women including Rani Padmini performed jauhar. This Padmini episode was graphically mentioned in the book Padmavath written by Jayasi.
Alauddin Khalji’s greatest achievement was the conquest of Deccan and the far south. This region was ruled by four important dynasties — Yadavas of Devagiri, Kakatiyas of Warangal, Hoysalas of Dwarasarnudra and the Pandyas of Madurai.
In Alauddin sent Malik Kafur against the ruler of Devagiri, Ramachandra Deva, who submitted and paid rich tributes. In 1309 Malik Kafur launched his campaign against Warangal.
Malik Kafur’s next target was the Hoysala ruler Vira Ballala III. He was defeated and a vast quantity of booty was seized and sent to Delhi. Kafur next marched against the Pandyas.
Alauddin Khalji died in 1316. Although the Sultan was i1literate,he patronized poets like Amir Khusrau and Amir Hasan. He also built a famous gateway known as Alai Darwaza and constructed a new capital at Siri.