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 1414 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 the Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414 AD) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Tughlaq Empire

Origin of Tughlaq Dynasty

• The Tughlaq Dynasty was of Turkish origin, and the family religion was Muslim. Ghazi Tughlaq succeeded to the throne in 1321 and was given the title Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.
• The Tughlaqs were able to maintain their rule for a long time because they had strong allies such as Turks, Afghans, and South Asian Muslim warriors.
• Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq founded the Tughlaq dynasty in India. The Tughlaq Dynasty was marked by torture, cruelty, and rebellions, which resulted in the dynasty's territorial reach rapidly disintegrating after 1335 AD.
• The dynasty reached its pinnacle between 1330 and 1335 AD, during a military campaign led by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq.

Rulers of Tughlaq Dynasty

• Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq or Ghazi Malik (1320-1325 AD)
  • He established the Tughlaq dynasty. His father was a Turk, and his mother was a Punjabi Jat woman.
  • He fortified the defences of the North-Western frontier to counter Mongol invasions.
  • His son, Fakhr-ud-din Muhammad Jauna Khan, defeated Prataparudra-Deva II, the Kakatiya ruler of Warangal.
  • He established the city of Tughlaqabad.
  • He put down Ghiyasuddin Bahadur's rebellion in Bengal. In 1325, while returning from Bengal, he died as a result of the collapse of a wooden pavilion.
  • According to some historians, he died as a result of a plot hatched by his son Jauna Khan because the pavilion was built by the royal architect Mir Imard Ahmad.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq or Ghazi Malik (1320-1325 AD) - Important Ruler of Tughlaq Dynasty

• Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq (1325-1361 AD)
  • In AD 1325, Jauna Khan succeeded his father as Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
  • He was one of the most knowledgeable scholars of his time. He spoke Arabic and Persian and was well-versed in philosophy, astronomy, logic, mathematics, and physical science.
  • The Sultan maintained good relations with foreigners, and the Chinese ruler sent an envoy to him.
  • Toghan Timur (AD 1341) came to seek permission to rebuild Buddhist monasteries destroyed during the critical expedition in the Himalayan region.
  • In 1347, the sultan granted permission and dispatched Ibn Batutah to the court of the Chinese emperor.
  • Ibn Batutah was a Moroccan traveller. In 1333, he arrived in India and was appointed as the chief Qazi of Delhi by Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq (1325-1361 AD) - Important Ruler of Tughlaq Dynasty

• Firoz Tughlaq (1351-1388 AD)
  • He was born in 1309 and succeeded his cousin Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq as Sultan of Delhi.
  • From 1320 to 1412 AD, he was the third ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty that ruled over Delhi. He ruled from 1351 to 1388 AD.
  • He used to pay his army in kind, i.e. land, rather than cash.
  • The British dubbed him the "Father of the Irrigation Department" because of the numerous gardens and canals he built, such as the Canal connecting Yamuna to Hissar, the Canal connecting Sutlej to Ghaggar, and the Canal connecting Ghaggar to Firozabad.
  • Taxes imposed under Firoz Shah Tughlaq were Kharaj, Zakat, Kham, Jaziya.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Firoz Tughlaq (1351-1388 AD) - Important Ruler of Tughlaq Dynasty

Later Tughlaqs

• Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq Shah II
  • Firuz Tughlaq was succeeded by one of his grandsons, Tughlaq Shah, who took the title Ghiasuddin Tughluq II (1388-89 A.D.).
  • He was beheaded within a year of his accession due to court intrigue.
  • During the next five years, three Sultans-Abu Bakr, Muhammad Shah, and Humayun titled Alauddin Sikander Shah-ascended to the throne.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq Shah II - Important Ruler of Tughlaq Dynasty

• Abu Bakr Shah (1389-90 AD)
  • After the assassination of Ghiyas-ud-Din Tughlaq II (who had succeeded Sultan Feroze Shah Tughluq), Abu Bakr became ruler of the Tughlaq empire.
  • However, his uncle, Muhammad Shah, wanted to be ruler as well and fought Abu Bakr for control of the throne.
  • In August 1390, Abu Bakr was defeated, and Muhammad Shah succeeded him as king, reigning from 1390 to 1394.
  • Abu Bakr was imprisoned in Meerut fort after his defeat and died soon after.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Abu Bakr Shah (1389-90 AD) - Important Ruler of Tughlaq Dynasty

• Nasir-ud-din Muhammad Tughlaq (1390-94 AD)
  • Nasir-ud-Din Muhammad ruled for about four years, from 1390 to 1394. His first mission was to crush Abu Bakr and his followers.
  • When the Hindus of Etawah, led by Narsing, Sarvadharan, and Bir Bhan, rose up in revolt in 1392, Islam Khan was dispatched to crush them.
  • Nasiruddin Mahmud bestowed the title of Malik-us-Sharq on Malik Sarvar. In Jaunpur, Sarvar established the Sharqi dynasty.
  • When Sultan Abu Bakr Shah Tughluq ascended to the throne of the Tughlaq Empire, Muhammad Shah, his uncle, was opposed to him and fought Abu Bakr for control of the throne.
  • Abu Bakr was eventually defeated, and Muhammad Shah succeeded him as king, reigning from 1390 to 1394.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Nasir-ud-din Muhammad Tughlaq (1390-94 AD) - Important Ruler of Tughlaq Dynasty

End of Tughlaq Dynasty

• Muhammad Bin Tughlaq ruled India for 26 years. He was known for his daring projects.
• Many believe he was born ahead of his time because most of his ventures were based on innovative ideas but failed due to lack of cooperation from people.
• Some of his significant ventures included the relocation of the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad, the introduction of token currency, invasions of Khurasan and parts of China, and so on.
• During his tenure, the state's revenue plummeted. In 1351, he was succeeded by his nephew Feroz Shah Tughlaq, whose successful reign lasted the next 37 years. He not only dismissed but also executed the majority of the nobles close to his predecessor.
• Following his death in 1388, the dynasty was unable to produce a competent ruler. His favourite grandson, whom he had groomed to be his heir, died while he was still alive.
• Civil war broke out even in Feroz Shah's final years and lasted through the regimes of his successors Ghiyath-ud-din Tughluq Shah, Abu Bakr Shah, Muhammad Shah, Mahmud Tughlaq, and Nusrat Shah.
• During Amir Taimur's invasion of 1398, the dynasty's rule was at its lowest point.
• However, the dynasty's ultimate demise occurred in 1413, when Khizar Khan, the former governor of Multan, became Sultan of Delhi and inaugurated the Sayyid Dynasty.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link End of Tughlaq Dynasty

Conclusion

The Sultanate was confined to a small territory in north India by the end of Tughlaq rule (AD 1412). A number of regions declared their independence. East Bengal and Orissa had complete autonomy. A new independent Sharqi kingdom emerged in eastern Uttar Pradesh and large parts of Bihar. The Vijaynagar empire and the Bahmani kingdom rose to prominence in the Deccan and South. Independent nobles occupied large areas of Punjab. Gujarat and Malwa gained complete independence. Rajasthan's Rajput states no longer regarded the Delhi Sultans as their masters.