Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1324-51) is best remembered as a ruler who undertook a number of daring experiments and had a keen interest in agriculture. Muhammad bin Tughlaq was one of history's most remarkable rulers. He was a brilliant scholar who adored Persian literature, music, fine arts, and calligraphy. He is well-known for some of his schemes and policies that failed miserably over time. In this article, we will discuss Muhammad Tughlaq’s Experiments which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Boundary under Muhmmad Tughlaq

Transfer of Capital

• The most contentious action taken by Muhammad bin Tughlaq shortly after his accession was the so-called Transfer of Capital from Delhi to Daulatabad.
• Daulatabad was centrally located, equidistant from Delhi and other important cities.
• Because Delhi was within the Mongols' reach, Daulatabad appeared to be safe from future Mongol attacks.
• He is said to have ordered the majority of Delhi residents to relocate to Daulatabad. People were resentful because they did not want to leave Delhi.
• Though Muhammad Tughlaq built a road from Delhi to Daulatabad and set up rest stops along the way to assist travellers, Daulatabad was more than 1500 kilometres away.
• Many people died as a result of the rigours of the journey and the heat, as this movement took place during the summer season.
• Many of those who arrived in Daulatabad were homesick, as some had lived in Delhi for several generations and considered it to be their home. As a result, there was a lot of dissatisfaction.
• After a few years, Muhammad Tughlaq decided to abandon Daulatabad, largely because he quickly discovered that, just as he couldn't control the south from Delhi, he couldn't control north India from Daulatabad.

Token Currency

• Muhammad bin Tughlaq is chastised for his failed token currency experiment. Because silver was scarce and copper and bronze were plentiful, the Sultan issued copper coins with the same value as silver coins.
• However, the new copper coins, which were worth the same as silver coins, did not have complicated designs and were easily forged.
• People began minting coins in their own homes. The markets were flooded with forgeries of copper coins.
• When traders and merchants refused to accept these coins, the situation worsened. The economy stalled.
• Recognizing his error, Muhammad bin Tughlaq replaced the copper coins with genuine silver coins. This drained the royal treasury even further.

Doab Taxation

• Doab is a fertile alluvial plain located between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. Muhammad Tughlaq raised taxes in the Doab region to raise funds for a large army.
• Unfortunately, the tax increase coincided with a severe famine in the region. Tax collectors, on the other hand, showed no mercy and collected taxes ruthlessly.
• Peasants fled to the forests because they were unable to pay their taxes.
• When Muhammad Tughlaq learned of the plight of peasants, he ordered several relief measures. He established free kitchens and distributed free grains.
• However, these measures were implemented too late, and the region's agriculture suffered greatly. As a result, his taxation scheme in Doab was a failure.

Khurasan Expedition

• The Sultan had a vision of universal conquest. He made the decision to conquer Khursan and Iraq and assembled a massive army to do so.
• Khurasani nobles who had taken refuge in his court encouraged him to do so.
• Furthermore, there was unrest in Khurasan due to Abu Said's unpopular rule.

Qarachil Expedition

• This expedition was launched in the Himalayan Kumaon Hills to allegedly counter Chinese incursions.
• It also appears that the expedition was aimed at bringing some recalcitrant tribes in the Kumaon Garhwal region under the control of the Delhi Sultanate.
• The first attack was successful, but the invaders suffered greatly when the rainy season arrived.

Conclusion

Muhammad Bin Tughlaq, the 14th century sultan known as the "Man of Ideas," is regarded as one of medieval India's most striking Sultans. Many of his ideas were ahead of their time, but he was impatient, and those who couldn't keep up with his changing policies and imagination were severely punished. The experiments were a colossal flop. It had depleted the national treasury and reduced Delhi, the grand and prosperous capital, to a mere shadow of its former self.

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the reasons for the failure of Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s economic and administrative reforms. How did these failures affect his reign?

Explanation: This question requires an analysis of the reasons behind the failure of Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reforms, including his monetary reform (token currency), tax policies in the Doab, and the shifting of the capital. The answer should discuss how poor planning, lack of consultation, and inadequate implementation contributed to these failures. It should also examine how these failures led to widespread discontent, rebellion, and weakened Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s authority as a ruler.

Q2: Evaluate the long-term impact of Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s policies on the Delhi Sultanate.

Explanation: This question requires an evaluation of the long-term effects of Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s policies on the Delhi Sultanate. While his reforms failed in the short term, they reflected an ambitious vision for governance. The answer should discuss how the administrative and economic chaos caused by his experiments weakened the Sultanate, contributing to its eventual decline, but also explore whether any of his ideas had a lasting influence on later rulers.

Q3: “Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign was a blend of visionary ideas and administrative failures.” Critically analyze this statement in the context of his experiments and policies.

Explanation: This question requires a critical analysis of Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign, highlighting both his visionary ideas and the failures of his policies. The answer should discuss how his experiments, such as the introduction of token currency, shifting the capital, and tax reforms, were innovative but poorly implemented. The analysis should focus on the reasons behind the failures, such as lack of practical planning and consultation, and how these failures overshadowed his ambitious vision for the Delhi Sultanate.

Previous Year Questions on Muhammad Tughlaq’s Experiments

1. UPSC CSE 2018

Q1: Analyze the reasons behind the failure of Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s ambitious experiments, such as the introduction of token currency and the shifting of the capital. 

Answer: Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s ambitious experiments, such as introducing token currency and shifting the capital to Daulatabad, failed due to poor implementation and unforeseen challenges. The introduction of token currency, though a novel idea, was poorly executed as the copper coins were easily counterfeited, leading to a loss of confidence in the currency and economic instability. The decision to shift the capital was also flawed as it caused immense hardship to the population and created administrative chaos. Lack of consultation with advisors and hasty decision-making were key reasons for the failure of these reforms.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Q2: Evaluate the impact of Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s tax reforms on his reign and the peasant population of the Doab region. 

Answer: Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s tax reforms in the Doab region were aimed at increasing revenue to fund his military campaigns and administrative expenses. However, the timing of these reforms was disastrous, as they were implemented during a famine. The increase in taxes during such a critical period led to widespread suffering among peasants, who were unable to pay the taxes. This sparked revolts and significantly weakened Tughlaq’s administration. His inability to manage the situation effectively led to a loss of support among his subjects, further destabilizing his reign.