Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq was a Tughlaq dynasty Muslim ruler of Turkic origin who ruled over the Sultanate of Delhi from 1351 to 1388. Following the death of his cousin Muhammad bin Tughlaq at Thatta in Sindh, where Muhammad bin Tughlaq had gone in pursuit of Taghi, the ruler of Gujarat, he succeeded him. For the first time in the history of the Delhi Sultanate, a situation arose in which no one was willing to accept power. The camp followers persuaded Firoz to accept the responsibility with great difficulty. In this article, we will discuss Firoz Tughlaq (1351-1388 AD) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

During his Reign

• Firoz Shah relied heavily on his commander, Malik Maqbul (who accepted Islam after he was arrested).
• Sultan used to address him as khan-i-jahan, which meant "true ruler." When Firoz Shah went on expeditions, Malik acted as ruler.
• He chose not to reconquer territories that had seceded in order to prevent other regions from gaining autonomy.
• He made numerous imperative concessions to the scholars and boycotted practises that the mainstream scholars deemed un-Islamic.
• He forbade Muslim females from visiting holy people's graves to pray.
• He is accused of mistreating various Muslim groups deemed unorthodox by scholars.
• Firoz provided the armed forces with the principle of inheritance. Officers were allowed to relax and enjoy themselves while their children were sent to the army in their place.
• Officers were not paid in cash, but rather through town land revenue. This novel method of instalment resulted in numerous misunderstandings.
• He demolished Hindu temples, as well as their books and literature. The Islamic literature has been translated into either Sanskrit or Persian.

Administrative Reforms of Firoz Tughlaq

• Revenue Reforms
  • Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq abolished 21 miscellaneous assets in order to reduce the burden of taxes paid by the populace (abwabs).
  • Only five Shariyat-approved taxes were omitted (Jaziya, Jakat, Kharach land revenue paid by non-Muslim). Ushra was a land tax that Muslims paid.
  • Khums represented the state's share of war booty. Jizya, also known as Zaziya, was a religious tax levied on Hindus. Muslims collected jakat as a religious tax.
  • Sultan ordered a revenue survey to determine a state's revenue income. Khawaja Hisamuddin conducted this survey.
  • He travelled across the Sultanate for six years and estimated that the state's total revenue income was 6 cr 75 lac Tanka.
  • This income is fixed in perpetuity, so the peasant does not have to bear any additional burden.
• Judicial Reforms
  • When Firoz Shah Tughlaq ascended to the throne, the judicial legal system was harsh and cruel.
  • It was common for accused to be tried in fire and water ordeals. Amputations of limbs and the death penalty are also common.
  • Firoz Shah Tughlaq abolished torture, abuse, and criminal amputation of limbs as punishments and mildened the penal code for the benefit of the common people.
• Agrarian Reforms
  • Firoz Shah Tughlaq waived the Sondhar loan granted by the state during the reign of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq for the benefit of peasants. A sum of two crore maal (the name of the currency) was written off.
  • Superior crop cultivation was expanded. Five canals were dug in order to develop irrigation facilities.
  • Peasants who used water from these canals were subjected to an irrigation tax known as Haqq-i-Sharab. This tax was levied at a rate of 10% of the produce.
  • Pilot farms (small-scale expansion farms) were established to test new agricultural technology and develop new seeds.
• Canal System
  • In 1355, he built a Double System of Canals from the Yamuna to the Sutlej to support the newly founded city of Hissar-i-Firoza.
  • Rajwahas are the name given to them in Indo-Persian historical texts.
  • During Akbar's reign, this Yamuna canal was repaired for irrigation purposes.

Religious Policy

• Firoz Shah Tughlaq's religious policy was orthodox. He gave Ulemas high status, and he never made a major decision without consulting Ulemas.
• Islam was promoted through the use of force and temptation. Understates were appointed to the converts. They were handing out Jagirs.
• He was Delhi's only Sultan who imposed Jazia on Brahmins. A Brahmin was burned alive on the orders of the Sultan because he stated that both Hinduism and Islam contained elements of truth.
• During his reign, Hindu temples were demolished. With Islam, he suppressed the heretic element. He was following Shariyat.
• Firoz Shah Tughlaq's orthodox measures were heavily influenced by political and military needs, as well as personal circumstances. Because he was the son of a Hindu mother, orthodoxy questioned his religious credentials. He used orthodox methods to persuade everyone that he was a true Muslim.
• Firoz Shah Tughlaq lacked the qualities of an effective military commander and administrator. He needed the help of Ulemas, Muslim Nobel, and other religious leaders. That's why he instituted a religious policy.

Taxes imposed under Firoz Tughlaq

• Kharaj: a land tax equal to one-tenth of the land's produce.
• Zakat: a 2.5 percent tax on property acquired by Muslims.
• Kham: captured one-fifth of the booty (four-fifth was left for the soldiers)
• Jaziya: a tax levied on non-Muslim subjects, particularly Hindus. Women and children, on the other hand, were exempt from the taxes.

Important Facts related of Firoz Tughlaq

• His generous measures and contributions to the people's prosperity.
• Firoz Tughlaq's autobiography is Futuhat-i-Firoz Shahi.
• He favoured the scholar Zia-ud-din Barani.
• Several Sanskrit books on medicine, science, and the arts were translated into Persian during his reign.
• Kutab by Feroz Shahi – a book about Physics.
• Firoz Shah Tughlaq prioritised infrastructure development in his kingdom.
• Among other things, he built schools, hospitals, river canals, reservoirs, and rest stops.
• He also rebuilt the Qutub Minar after it was damaged by an earthquake.

End of Firoz Tughlaq’s Reign

• His eldest son, Fath Khan, died in 1376. In August 1387, he abdicated and appointed his other son, Prince Muhammad, as king. A slave rebellion forced him to bestow the royal title on his grandson, Tughluq Khan.
• Tughlaq's death sparked a succession war, with nobles rebelling to establish independent states.
• His lenient attitude had strengthened the nobles, weakening his position.
• His successor, Ghiyas-ud-Din Tughlaq II, was unable to control the slaves or the nobles. The army had weakened, and the empire had shrunk in size.
• Timur's invasion of Delhi ten years after his death devastated the city.
• His tomb is in Hauz Khas (New Delhi), near the tank built by Alauddin Khalji. Firoz Shah built a madrasa adjacent to the tomb in 1352–53.

Conclusion

Firoz Shah Tughlaq took over an empire that was facing serious challenges. To reverse the Sultanate's decline, a king of exceptional ability is required, but Firoz Shah Tughlaq was neither an efficient administrator nor a successful military commander. He responded to current challenges with a peasant's policy. This appeasement-based approach may have delayed the process of decline for the time being, but the Sultanate's inner strength continued to deteriorate gradually. These forces of degeneration were active beneath the carpet during Firoz Shah Tughlaq's reign, and they became visible on the surface immediately after his death.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the administrative reforms of Firoz Shah Tughlaq and their impact on the Tughlaq dynasty.

Answer: Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s administrative reforms focused on decentralization, infrastructure development, and public welfare. He built canals, cities, and public buildings, and introduced lighter taxes to benefit the agricultural sector. However, his decentralized administration weakened central authority, and his rigid religious policies alienated non-Muslim communities. While his reign saw temporary prosperity, his policies contributed to the weakening of the Tughlaq dynasty, leading to the eventual decline of the empire after his death.

Q2: Discuss the contributions of Firoz Shah Tughlaq in promoting public welfare and infrastructure development.

Answer: Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s reign was notable for its focus on infrastructure development, particularly in the construction of canals for irrigation, which helped increase agricultural productivity. He built new cities like Firozabad, established hospitals, and provided public services like loans to farmers. His policies aimed to improve the welfare of his subjects, but they were overshadowed by his orthodox religious policies. Despite these challenges, his contributions to public infrastructure had long-lasting effects on the regions under his control.

Q3: Evaluate the legacy of Firoz Shah Tughlaq with respect to his religious and economic policies.

Answer: Firoz Shah Tughlaq’s legacy is a mixed one. His economic policies, such as tax relief for farmers and canal irrigation projects, greatly benefited the economy, especially agriculture. However, his religious policies were highly orthodox, marked by the destruction of Hindu temples and the forced conversion of non-Muslims. This alienated large sections of the population and caused resentment. His decentralized administration also weakened the empire, leading to the decline of the Tughlaq dynasty after his reign.

Previous Year Questions on Firoz Tughlaq (1351 - 1388 AD) - Important Ruler of Tughlaq Dynasty

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2018:

Question: Which Tughlaq ruler is known for constructing several canals and promoting agriculture in India?

A. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq

B. Muhammad bin Tughlaq

C. Firoz Shah Tughlaq

D. Iltutmish

Answer: C

Explanation: Firoz Shah Tughlaq is credited with the construction of canals and introducing irrigation projects to boost agricultural productivity.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2017 (GS Paper 1):

Question: Discuss the administrative and welfare measures introduced by Firoz Shah Tughlaq during his reign.

Answer: Firoz Shah Tughlaq focused on infrastructure development, constructing canals, establishing new cities like Firozabad, and building mosques. He implemented welfare measures such as reducing taxes on agriculture, providing loans to farmers, and promoting public health. His reforms in water management through canal irrigation improved agricultural productivity. However, his religious policies were highly orthodox, leading to persecution of non-Muslims and converting temples into mosques, which sowed seeds of discord and weakened the Tughlaq dynasty's control.

3. UPSC CSE Prelims 2017:

Question: Which city was founded by Firoz Shah Tughlaq?

A. Agra

B. Firozabad

C. Hyderabad

D. Delhi

Answer: B

Explanation: Firozabad was one of the major cities founded by Firoz Shah Tughlaq, highlighting his focus on building infrastructure during his rule.