The Tughlaq dynasty arose during medieval India and was of Turk-Indian origin. The dynasty dominated the Sultanate of Delhi. The Tugluq dynasty ruled from 1320 to 1413 and was ruled by many rulers such as Ghazi Malik, Muhammad-bin-Tughluq, and others. During the reign of the Tughlaq dynasty, India's domestic and foreign policies underwent significant changes. In this article, we will discuss Domestic and Foreign Policies of Tughlaq Dynasty which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Domestic and Foreign Policies of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq

• Ghiyas-ud-din brought order back to his empire.
• He prioritised postal arrangements, judicial, irrigation, agriculture, and law enforcement.
• He seized control of Bengal, Utkala or Orissa, and Warangal.
• He apprehended and imprisoned the Mongol leaders who invaded North India.

Domestic Policies of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq

• To replenish the treasury, he increased taxes in the Doab region.
• Many people fled to the forests to avoid high taxes, causing cultivation to be neglected and a severe food shortage to occur.
• To protect his capital, he relocated it from Delhi to Devagiri and ordered the common people and government officials to relocate to Devagiri; however, after much difficulty, he ordered them to return to Delhi.
• He established the copper currency system.
• Because the value of coins fell, he was forced to withdraw the copper token currency.
• He amassed an army of 3,70,000 men to conquer Khurasan, Iraq, and Transoxiana.
• Mohammed-bin-national Tughluq's treasure bore a heavy burden as a result of the Mongol leader Tamashirin's policy of lavish gifts given to avoid Mongol invasion.
• The decline of the Delhi Sultanate is attributed to his rash decisions and poor policy implementation.

Foreign Policy of Firoz Shah Tughlaq

Bengal Expeditions (1353-1360 AD)

• Taking advantage of the chaos and confusion caused by Muhammad Tughluq's death, Haji Ilyas established his independence in AD 1352, and the sultan marched against him.
• Haji Ilyas confined himself to the fort of Ikdala after learning of the Sultan's expedition.
• After hearing the cries of the women from the fort, the Sultan returned. Despite his commanders' warnings, he ignored them and withdrew his army.
• After the Sultan's return, Ilyas continued to torture the people, and they continued to wail under his cruel administration.
• In AD1359, a noble from Bengal named Zafar Khan lodged a complaint against Ilyas, and the Sultan marched against Bengal once more after organising a large force.
• Ilyas had died by this time, and his son Sikandar was ruling over Bengal. Sikandar confined himself in the fort of Ikdala as soon as the Sultan arrived in Bengal. Sikandar had to surrender after much resistance.
• The two parties signed a treaty. Sikandar sent the Sultan valuable gifts as well as forty elephants.
• He also agreed to hand over Sonargaon to Zafar Khan, but Zafar Khan preferred to live in Delhi, so Bengal's independence was saved once more.

Jajnagar Expedition

• Firoz invaded Jajnagar in Orissa on his way back from Bengal because he wanted to destroy the famous Puri temple.
• The Hindu ruler of Jajnagar was unable to stand up to the royal forces and fled. The soldiers resisted, but were eventually defeated, and the Sultan broke the idols and destroyed the Puri temple.
• The Hindu ruler, realising his position was critical, signed a treaty with the Sultan and gave him some valuable gifts. He also promised to pay annual tribute to Delhi's Sultan.
• The Sultan returned to Delhi, suppressing various nobles and Zamindars on his way.

Nagarkot Expedition

• Muhammad Tughluq conquered Nagarkot during his Himalayan Expedition in 1337.
• In AD 1008-09, the Idol breaker from Ghazni plundered its famous temple of Jwalamukhi (Kangra).
• Firoz Shah Tughluq was drawn to it because of the Hindu Raja's depredations in the neighbouring country.
• The Sultan, who had begun the process of subjugating Daulatabad, became aware of the Raja of Nagarkot's activities and turned his attention to it in AD 1360-61.
• The fort was besieged for six months before the Raja was pardoned and reinstated after surrendering.
• Firoz was drawn to some Sanskrit books in the temple library and had them translated into Persian.

Sindh Expedition

• Firoz launched his long-delayed campaign against Thatta in AD 1362-63 to avenge the wrongs committed by the imperial army during Muhammad's death.
• The expeditionary force included 90,000 cavalry, elephants, and a large number of infantry.
• However, due to a lack of supplies, this vast army was diverted into Gujarat for a time. Through the treachery of guides, they were led into the Rann of Kutch and nearly drowned in the swamps.
• For six months, nothing was heard of the imperial army, which was decimated by famine.
• However, it eventually landed in the fertile plains of Gujarat. Firoz Shah Tughluq returned to Sindh after replenishing his depleted forces and dismissing the governor of Gujarat.
• He attacked Jam Babaniya, who was ruling Sindh at the time, and forced him to accept his suzerainty. The sultan eventually defeated Sindh, and the ruler of Sindh agreed to pay annual tribute.
• The Sultan and his soldiers had to endure a lot during this expedition, but they made it back to Delhi safely.

Conclusion

Ghiyas-ud-din was crushed to death in 1325 AD while attending a celebration for his victories in Bengal. Junakhan, the crown prince, took his place. Domestic policies implemented by Mohammed-bin-Tughluq were good, but they failed due to faulty implementation measures. The decline of the Delhi Sultanate is attributed to his rash decisions and poor policy implementation. In 1353 and 1359 AD, Firoz Tughlaq surrounded Bengal. He conquered Jainagar and destroyed the Jagannath Temple in Puri.