0Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325–1351 CE) – Delhi Sultanate (Tughlaq Dynasty)
Muhammad bin Tughlaq, originally named Ulugh Khan, succeeded his father Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq in 1325 CE. He was one of the most complex and controversial rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. Known for his ambitious schemes and intellectual brilliance, he ruled from 1325 to 1351 CE. His reign was marked by vast territorial expansion, bold administrative experiments, and political instability.
1. Early Life and Character
- Muhammad bin Tughlaq was well-educated, fluent in Persian, Arabic, and Turkish, and deeply interested in philosophy, mathematics, and astronomy.
- He combined intellectual depth with extreme impulsiveness and cruelty, which made his rule both remarkable and disastrous.
- His personality was described as a mix of idealism and despotism. Contemporary historian Barani called him a ruler of “unbounded ambition but poor judgment.”
2. Administrative Experiments and Reforms
(a) Transfer of Capital (1327 CE)
- He shifted the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (in present-day Maharashtra).
- The reason was to have a centrally located capital for better control over the Deccan region and to protect it from Mongol invasions.
- However, the plan failed due to the harsh journey, lack of water, and extreme climate in Daulatabad. People suffered immensely, and the project was abandoned later.
- This move earned him the image of a rash and impractical ruler.
(b) Token Currency (1329–1330 CE)
- Introduced bronze and copper coins of equal value to silver coins to overcome treasury shortage.
- Due to the absence of a proper system to control forgery, people started minting fake coins at home.
- The economy collapsed, trade suffered, and the policy had to be withdrawn.
- The government later exchanged all the copper coins with silver ones, leading to severe financial loss.
(c) Taxation in the Doab
- To meet the expenses of his ambitious projects, he increased land taxes in the fertile Doab region (between Ganga and Yamuna).
- At the same time, the region suffered from famine.
- Harsh revenue collection and severe punishments led to a peasant rebellion, which further weakened the economy.
(d) Agricultural Reforms
- Established a Diwan-i-Kohi, a department to promote agriculture and extend cultivation through state loans to farmers.
- However, mismanagement and corruption led to failure.
3. Military Campaigns and Expansion
- Muhammad Tughlaq planned to conquer Khorasan, Iraq, and Khurasan, showing his imperial ambition.
- His attempt to annex the Deccan led to temporary success, but soon after, the region revolted.
- The rise of the Bahmani Kingdom (1347 CE) in the Deccan was a direct outcome of his failed policies.
- Many governors in distant provinces like Bengal, Gujarat, and Sindh also declared independence.
4. Decline and Later Years
- His continuous campaigns, famines, and administrative failures caused widespread discontent.
- Several revolts broke out across the empire, reducing Delhi’s control only to the north.
- Muhammad bin Tughlaq died in 1351 CE while campaigning in Sindh.
5. Assessment and Legacy
- Muhammad bin Tughlaq was a visionary with progressive ideas, but his lack of practical judgment and administrative execution turned them into disasters.
- Despite his failures, he made efforts toward centralized administration, revenue reforms, and agricultural development.
- Barani described him as “a mixture of opposites — a man of learning but devoid of wisdom.”
6. Significance for UPSC
- His reign reflects the challenges of early medieval governance — idealism vs. pragmatism, administrative overreach, and regional revolts.
- Important for topics like Delhi Sultanate administration, economic policies, and Deccan expansion.
In conclusion, Muhammad bin Tughlaq remains one of the most intriguing rulers in Indian history. His ambitious projects, though visionary, failed due to poor implementation and harshness. He symbolizes the fine line between genius and folly — a ruler with a modern mind but medieval methods.
