Transfer of Capital By Muhammad Bin Tughlaq

 

Muhammad Bin Tughlaq transferred his capital from Delhi to Devagiri. The Tughlaq dynasty was founded by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq. Muhammad Bin Tughlaq ascended the throne of the Tughlaq dynasty of Delhi after the death of his father, GhiyasuddinTughlaq. He ascended the throne in 1325 AD.

 

Do you know, what was the capital of the Tughlaq Dynasty under the reign of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq?

 

He transferred his capital from Delhi to Devagiri, renamed as Daulatabad, which was supposed to be a more central location.

 

Do you know, why he shifted the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad?

There were two reasons for the transference of capital �

1. Daulatabad (in Maharastra) was considered a central location from where he could control the Deccan territories and fertile land of the Deccan plateau.
2. He wanted to protect his capital from the attack of Mongols which were mainly aimed at Delhi and regions in North India.

 

During his reign, he conquered Warangal (Telangana), Malabar, and Madurai. Daulatabad was also situated at a central place so the administration of both the North and South could be possible.

 

All the facilities were provided who were required to migrate to Daulatabad. He also built a wide road from Delhi to Daulatabad and set up rest houses for their convenience.

 

Why did the capital shift back to Delhi from Daulatabad?

 

After two years, he shifted his capital back to Delhi. He realized that he could not control the Deccan from Delhi and North India from Daulatabad. He also had feared that the sultanate�s northern borders could be exposed to attacks and then he decided to shift the capital back to Delhi.

 

Impact of Change of Capital

 

Although the attempts to make Daulatabad, a second capital failed, it produced some long-term benefits also.

 

Impacts of the change of capital from Delhi to Daulatabad

 

� The Deccan experiment succeeded in breaking down barriers that had separated the North from the South. It brought North and South closer by improving communications.
� It also began the process of socio-cultural interaction between North and South India.

 

Plan of Conquests

 

Muhammad bin Tughlaq wanted to conquer the world for which he organized a huge army and paid a year�s salary in advance to his soldiers. He wanted to conquer Iran, Iraq, and Khurasan. But after the failure of the token currency experiment, he abandoned the project and disbanded the army.

 

He lost the support for his people due to which revolts broke out in many different parts of his empire. This weakened his armies and depleted his treasury.

 

Muhammad Bin Tughlaq - MCQs

 

1. Who was appointed as the Chief Qazi of Delhi?
a) GhiyasuddinTughlaq
b) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
c) Muhammad bin Tughlaq
d) Ibn Battuta

 

2. Devagiri is also known as�..
a) Firozabad
b) Moradabad
c) Warangal
d) Daulatabad

 

3. When did Muhammad Bin Tughlaq become the Sultan of Delhi?
a) In 1450 AD
b) In 1370 AD
c) In 1310 AD
d) In 1325 AD

 

4. Who was the founder of the Tughlaq Dynasty?
a) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
b) Muhammad BinTughlaq
c) Ibn Battuta
e) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq

 

5. Why was the capital shifted from Delhi to Devagiri?
a) To improve the culture
b) For a better tourism
c) To gain control over Deccan territories
d) To protect from the Mongol's invasion

 

Questions

 

1. Which types of coins were issued by Muhammad binTughlaq?
a) Gold
b) Silver
c) Platinum
d) Copper

 

2. The token currency was introduced by whom?
a) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
b) Ibn Battuta
c) GhiyasuddinTughlaq
d) Muhammad binTughlaq

 

3. What is Doab?
a) Money
b) Plateau
c) Valley
d) Fertile Land

 

4. Doab is situated between which rivers?
a) Ganga and Brahmaputra
b) Yamuna and Godavari
c) Godavari and Satluj
d) Ganga and the Yamuna

 

5. Why did Muhammad binTughlaq increase the taxes?
a) For his leisure
b) To flee the peasants from their lands
c) To conquer the territories
d) To conquer the territories and for the upkeep of the army

 

Read More:
Taxation In Doab and Token Currency By Muhammad Bin Tughlaq