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Questions and Answers
What is the significance of the 'circle of justice' in the context of governance under the Delhi Sultans?
What is the significance of the 'circle of justice' in the context of governance under the Delhi Sultans?
- It suggests that soldiers should exclusively rely on their own resources.
- It emphasizes the king's authority over military matters.
- It highlights the interdependence between the king and his subjects. (correct)
- It illustrates the concept of monarchy without the need for justice.
What role did historians play during the Delhi Sultanate according to the provided information?
What role did historians play during the Delhi Sultanate according to the provided information?
- They advised rulers on governance and authored histories to gain rewards. (correct)
- They lived in the villages and focused on agriculture.
- They mostly documented peasant life and their struggles.
- They only recorded military events and conquests.
According to Fakhr-i Mudabbir, what is essential for a king's survival?
According to Fakhr-i Mudabbir, what is essential for a king's survival?
- Territorial expansion and power.
- Having an unchallenged military.
- A prosperous and happy peasantry. (correct)
- Support from foreign allies.
What was a common belief about the rights to govern during the Delhi Sultanate?
What was a common belief about the rights to govern during the Delhi Sultanate?
What notable occurrence regarding gender took place during the Sultanate period?
What notable occurrence regarding gender took place during the Sultanate period?
What was a significant reason for the Sultans' preference for promoting slaves over sons?
What was a significant reason for the Sultans' preference for promoting slaves over sons?
What effect did raising people of humble birth to high positions have on the political system?
What effect did raising people of humble birth to high positions have on the political system?
How did the elite perceive the actions of the Delhi Sultans in appointing individuals from humble backgrounds?
How did the elite perceive the actions of the Delhi Sultans in appointing individuals from humble backgrounds?
What was Ziyauddin Barani's perspective on Sultan Muhammad Tughluq's appointments?
What was Ziyauddin Barani's perspective on Sultan Muhammad Tughluq's appointments?
What was one potential downside of the loyalty exhibited by slaves and clients towards their masters?
What was one potential downside of the loyalty exhibited by slaves and clients towards their masters?
What was the main responsibility of the military commanders appointed by the Sultans?
What was the main responsibility of the military commanders appointed by the Sultans?
Which tax was specifically levied on cultivation during the reign of the Delhi Sultans?
Which tax was specifically levied on cultivation during the reign of the Delhi Sultans?
What was the impact of Alauddin Khalji's policies on local chieftains?
What was the impact of Alauddin Khalji's policies on local chieftains?
Which dynasties ruled after the Tughluqs?
Which dynasties ruled after the Tughluqs?
Who was responsible for monitoring the revenue collected by tax collectors?
Who was responsible for monitoring the revenue collected by tax collectors?
What was a significant contribution of the Tughluq dynasty to administration?
What was a significant contribution of the Tughluq dynasty to administration?
What was a key feature of the control over assigned lands by the Khalji and Tughluq monarchs?
What was a key feature of the control over assigned lands by the Khalji and Tughluq monarchs?
What was the administrative language under the Tughluqs?
What was the administrative language under the Tughluqs?
What aspect did military commanders need to consider according to the 'circle of justice'?
What aspect did military commanders need to consider according to the 'circle of justice'?
Which new ruling groups emerged during the period following the Tughluqs?
Which new ruling groups emerged during the period following the Tughluqs?
What was Minhaj-us-Siraj's opinion on women's rule?
What was Minhaj-us-Siraj's opinion on women's rule?
How did Raziyya Sultan identify herself in her inscriptions?
How did Raziyya Sultan identify herself in her inscriptions?
How did Rudramadevi present herself in contrast to Raziyya?
How did Rudramadevi present herself in contrast to Raziyya?
What was the title 'Didda' most likely derived from?
What was the title 'Didda' most likely derived from?
What characteristic of governors did early Delhi Sultans prefer?
What characteristic of governors did early Delhi Sultans prefer?
What was a major reason for trusting the special slaves as governors?
What was a major reason for trusting the special slaves as governors?
Why was it challenging for women to be rulers, according to the context?
Why was it challenging for women to be rulers, according to the context?
What contributed to the consolidation of the Delhi Sultanate?
What contributed to the consolidation of the Delhi Sultanate?
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Study Notes
Delhi Sultans: Administration and Governance
- Histories were recorded in Persian, the administrative language during the Delhi Sultanate.
- Authors of these histories were educated figures: secretaries, poets, and advisors.
- The "circle of justice" illustrates the interdependent relationship between the king and subjects for effective governance.
- Fakhr-i Mudabbir emphasized that kings rely on soldiers, who depend on peasants’ prosperity through just rule.
- Birthright privileges were significant; nobles claimed their right to govern based on lineage.
- Iltutmish’s daughter, Raziyya, challenged gender norms by becoming Sultan, but faced resistance due to prevailing societal beliefs.
Gender and Power
- Minhaj-us-Siraj highlighted that elevating a female ruler like Raziyya contradicted the divine social order.
- Raziyya claimed her position as Sultan through lineage, unlike Rudramadevi, who disguised herself as a man to rule.
- Didda, another significant queen, held power in Kashmir with a title denoting affection from her subjects.
Governance Practices
- Early Sultans, particularly Iltutmish, preferred loyal slaves as governors instead of aristocrats to ensure control.
- Loyalty of slaves stemmed from their dependence on the Sultan, fostering stability in governance.
- Khalji and Tughluq Sultans further appointed individuals from humble backgrounds, causing political tension with aristocrats.
- Appointment of low-status individuals to high offices (e.g., Aziz Khummar, Firuz Hajjam) garnered criticism from contemporaries like Ziyauddin Barani for perceived poor judgment.
Taxation and Revenue
- Revenue collection played a crucial role in the Sultanate's administration with tax types including Khums, Zakat, and Jizyah.
- Land revenue was assessed thoroughly, with a standard rate around 50% of the peasant's produce.
- Local chieftains lost their tax-levying rights under Alauddin Khalji, with the state assuming control over land revenue.
Historical Context
- Post-Tughluq, independent regional powers emerged in Bengal, Malwa, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and southern India.
- The administration influences during the Delhi Sultanate were later seen in the governance models of the Mughal Empire, particularly by Akbar.
- Authors of histories often focused on elite perspectives rather than ordinary people's lives, reflecting the prevailing hierarchies of the time.
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