ASKiIMAN™ MEDIEVAL / HISTORY
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Tughlaq Dynasty

Realm 32: Battered Walls, Token Currency, and the March to Daulatabad

WORLD E — DELHI SULTANATE

MICRO-REALM 01

Rise of Ghiyasuddin

  • Ghazi Malik overthrew Khusrau Khan (1320 CE).
  • Built the massive, rugged Tughlaqabad Fort.
  • Characterized by sloping (battered) stone walls.
  • Died mysteriously when a wooden pavilion collapsed on him.
MICRO-REALM 02

Muhammad bin Tughlaq

  • The "Mad Genius" of Indian history.
  • Highly educated in philosophy, astronomy, and math.
  • Visionary ideas executed with disastrous impatience.
  • Empire reached its greatest territorial extent under him.
MICRO-REALM 03

Transfer of Capital

  • Moved capital from Delhi to Devagiri (1327 CE).
  • Renamed it Daulatabad.
  • Intended to control the Deccan more effectively.
  • Forced mass migration caused immense suffering; eventually reversed.
MICRO-REALM 04

Token Currency

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  • Introduced copper/brass coins on par with silver Tankas (1330 CE).
  • Inspired by Chinese paper currency (Chao).
  • Failed due to lack of state monopoly on minting.
  • Massive counterfeiting forced the Sultan to redeem them for real silver.
MICRO-REALM 05

Disastrous Campaigns

  • Khurasan Expedition: Raised huge army, paid in advance, then abandoned it.
  • Karajal Expedition (Himalayas): Sent to secure borders.
  • Entire army wiped out by harsh winter and mountain tribes.
  • Severely depleted the royal treasury.
MICRO-REALM 06

Agricultural Reforms

  • Created *Diwan-i-Amir Kohi* (Dept of Agriculture).
  • Response to severe Doab famines caused by over-taxation.
  • Provided *Takkavi* (agricultural loans) to farmers.
  • Attempted to introduce cash crops, though execution was flawed.
MICRO-REALM 07

Ibn Battuta's Account

  • Moroccan traveler who spent 8 years in Tughlaq's court.
  • Appointed as Qazi (Judge) of Delhi.
  • His *Rihla* provides a vivid, firsthand account of the Sultan's eccentricity.
  • Noted the Sultan's extreme generosity and extreme cruelty.
MICRO-REALM 08

Firuz Shah & Canals

  • Succeeded Muhammad in 1351 CE; focused on orthodoxy and welfare.
  • Built an extensive network of irrigation canals (Yamuna to Hisar).
  • Planted 1,200 fruit orchards around Delhi.
  • Founded new cities: Firuzabad, Hisar, Jaunpur.
MICRO-REALM 09

Diwan-i-Bandagan

  • Firuz Shah's massive department for slaves (180,000 strong).
  • Slaves employed in royal workshops (Karkhanas) and military.
  • Made Iqtas (land grants) and military posts hereditary.
  • Severely weakened the central authority over time.
MICRO-REALM 10

Timur's Invasion (1398)

  • Central Asian conqueror Timur the Lame invaded India.
  • Sultanate was already fracturing into regional kingdoms.
  • Delhi was utterly sacked, looted, and its population massacred.
  • Ended Tughlaq power; left Delhi desolate for decades.