Reforms by Alauddin Khalji

REFORMS BY ALAUDDIN KHALJI

Market Regulation

Alauddin established three distinct markets in Delhi

– one for food grains, another for costly cloth, and the third for horses, slaves, and cattle.

Each market was closely supervised by high-ranking officers (shahna or shahna-i-mandi) who maintained merchant registers and strictly controlled prices.

These measures were implemented to fix the costs of all commodities, from food essentials to horses and even slaves.

A separate department called Diwani Riyasat was created under an officer called Naib-i-Riyasat.

There were secret agents called Munhiyans who sent reports to the Sultan regarding the functioning of these markets.

Foodgrain Control

Alauddin focused on regulating food prices to ensure a consistent and affordable supply to the towns. To achieve this, he initiated several measures, including direct collection of land revenue in the doab region and raising the land revenue to half of the produce.

He also mandated that the lands in the doab region could not be assigned as Iqta to any noble or soldiers.

Peasants were compelled to sell their produce at low prices to registered traders (banjaras), enabling towns to obtain grain at state-fixed prices.

He was the first sultan to introduce a land revenue system that relied on measuring the area of cultivated land.

Additionally, he decreed that local landlords, or khuts and muqaddams, should pay the same taxes as other landowners.

Preventing Hoarding

Alauddin monitored banjaras rigorously, holding their agents and families collectively responsible for any violations.

Additionally, state-controlled warehouses were established to stock food grains, released during shortages or famine. To prevent hoarding, Alauddin ensured constant vigilance and imposed harsh penalties on shopkeepers who inflated prices or used deceptive measures.

Regulation of Horses

Controlling horse prices was vital for maintaining an efficient army. Prices for different grades of horses were strictly set – a first-grade horse cost 100 to 120 tankas, while a less capable pony was priced between 10 to 25 tankas.

This regulation ensured that only good-quality horses were sold to the state, enhancing the army’s effectiveness

Further, Alauddin introduced the practice of dagh or the branding of quality horses for identification and efficiency of the military.

Control of Other Commodities

Alauddin extended price regulation to cattle, slaves, and costly cloth.

This broader control might have been aimed at stabilizing general prices or pleasing the nobility.

The prices of these items were fixed to prevent significant price fluctuations, ensuring stability in the market.

Cash Payments and Salary Control

Realizing land revenue in cash enabled Alauddin to pay his soldiers in cash, a unique approach during his rule.

He set a salary of 238 tankas a year for cavalrymen, maintaining a low but reasonable wage, especially considering the expectations of a soldier’s lifestyle.

He also introduced huliya- a descriptive list of soldiers for better control over his army.

Strict Control of Bureaucracy

These policies depended heavily on their implementation by officials such as the amils and other local officials.

Alauddin addressed adherence to his rules by paying them sufficient salaries to enable them to live in comfort. He also insisted strict auditing of their accounts and punished them for the slightest discrepancies.