During the reign of Firoz Shah Tughlaq the revenues of the state were greatly augmented through various means. Which one was not one of them?

Answer & Explanation

Answer: [D]

Among the options, the one that was not a means of augmenting the revenues of the state during the reign of Firoz Shah Tughlaq is "Improving the fertility of land and cultivation of superior crops."

During Firoz Shah Tughlaq's reign (1351-1388) in the Delhi Sultanate, he implemented various measures to increase state revenues. These included:

1. Water taxes: Firoz Shah Tughlaq imposed taxes on the use of water resources, such as canals and wells, to generate revenue for the state.

2. Gardens: Firoz Shah Tughlaq established many gardens, known as "Shikargahs," which were used for hunting and recreation. These gardens served as a source of revenue through the collection of entrance fees and other related charges.

3. Enhancement of land revenue: Firoz Shah Tughlaq implemented reforms to increase land revenue by assessing and collecting taxes more efficiently. He introduced new measures for the assessment of land and adjusted tax rates based on agricultural productivity.

However, there is no specific historical evidence to suggest that Firoz Shah Tughlaq focused on improving the fertility of land and cultivation of superior crops as a means to augment state revenues during his reign.