Tughlaq Dynasty, 1320–1414

Key Pointers

Founder: Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (1320–25); built Tughlaqabad. Established the dynasty after overthrowing Khusrau Khan.
Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325–51): Highly learned and experimental.
- Shifted capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (1327).
- Token currency (copper and brass coins, 1329–30) failed as forgeries were rampant.
- Doab tax hike during famine, which caused revolts.
- Planned Khurasan expedition and Qarachil expedition (both failed).
- Set up Diwan-i-Amir-i-Kohi (agriculture department) and gave taqavi loans.
- Ibn Battuta (Moroccan traveller) visited his court and served as a qazi (Rihla).
- Rebellions led to formation of the Vijayanagara Empire (1336) and the Bahmani Kingdom (1347).
Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351–88): Built canals (Yamuna, Sutlej), Firozabad (Firoz Shah Kotla), Hissar, Jaunpur; created Diwan-i-Khairat (charity) and an employment bureau; Diwan-i-Bandagan for slaves; imposed jizya on Brahmins; transferred Ashokan pillars to Delhi; made iqtas hereditary (weakening central control); sponsored translation of Sanskrit works.
Decline: Timur's invasion of Delhi in 1398 during the reign of Nasiruddin Mahmud; Tughlaq rule ended soon after.

MCQs

Q1. The foreign traveller who visited India during Muhammad bin Tughlaq's reign was: (a) Marco Polo (b) Ibn Battuta (c) Al-Biruni (d) Abdur Razzaq Answer: (b).

Q2. Which Sultan established Diwan-i-Khairat and an employment bureau? (a) Alauddin Khalji (b) Muhammad bin Tughlaq (c) Firoz Shah Tughlaq (d) Balban Answer: (c).

Q3. Timur invaded India in: (a) 1298 (b) 1398 (c) 1498 (d) 1526 Answer: (b).