Role of Slaves vs. Sons in Sultanate Governance

Study Notes

Sultans relied on slaves and clients rather than biological heirs for loyalty and trust in governance.
Slaves were raised and trusted by their masters, creating a stronger allegiance compared to potential heirs.
The rise of individuals from humble backgrounds to high political positions caused political instability in the Delhi Sultanate.
Key figures like Aziz Khummar (wine distiller), Firuz Hajjam (barber), and Manka Tabbakh (cook) were appointed to high administrative roles by Sultan Muhammad Tughluq, leading to criticism from elites.

Historian Ziyauddin Barani viewed the appointments of lowborn people as indicative of Muhammad Tughluq's poor political judgment and inability to rule effectively.
Criticism stemmed from a belief that elite governance was being undermined by the promotion of unqualified individuals.

Significant portions of the Indian subcontinent remained outside Delhi's control, notably provinces like Bengal.
Despite attempts by rulers like Alauddin Khalji and Muhammad Tughluq, local chieftains often resisted central authority, establishing independent rule in forested regions.

The Delhi Sultanate faced invasions from the Mongols, particularly during Alauddin Khalji's and early Muhammad Tughluq’s reigns, prompting the need for a large standing army.
These invasions posed major administrative challenges for the Sultanate and shaped military and governance strategies.

After the Tughluqs, the Sayyid and Lodi dynasties emerged, as did independent rulers in regions like Bengal, Malwa, and Gujarat.
The period saw the emergence of powerful administrative units from groups like the Afghans and Rajputs that influenced the administration of the Mughal Empire later on.

Heavy taxation during the reigns of Alauddin Khalji and Muhammad Tughluq led to peasant discontent and challenges in revenue collection.
The “circle of justice” concept emphasized the importance of military leaders considering the needs of peasants for the stability of their rule.

Ibn Battuta, a fourteenth-century traveler from Morocco, documented the cultural and administrative aspects of India during this period.
Discussions arise about the nature of governance, loyalty dynamics, and the social fabric shaped during the reigns of the Delhi Sultanate, prompting reflections on contemporary governance issues.

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