All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

"Alauddin Khilji's economic measures aimed at centralising political authority in the Delhi Sultanate." Elucidate.

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CSE 2025 (Prelims) CSAT Official Paper (25-May-2025)

Alauddin Khilji’s economic measures were designed less for efficiency than for centralizing political authority in the Delhi Sultanate. His priority was sustaining a large, loyal army capable of countering Mongol threats and suppressing rebellions without exhausting the treasury. By instituting strict market controls and regulating prices of essentials like grain, cloth, and horses, soldiers could subsist on lower wages, reducing state expenditure while expanding military recruitment.

These regulations curtailed profiteering by merchants and checked the economic influence of nobles, weakening rival power bases. The elaborate administrative machinery created to monitor prices, ration supplies, and enforce compliance extended state authority into the economic sphere. Simultaneously, revenue reforms standardized assessments and curbed intermediaries, ensuring greater control over agrarian surplus. Collectively, these measures reinforced the Sultan’s supremacy, expanded bureaucratic oversight, and embedded the economy into the centralizing framework of Khilji’s regime.

Answered By:

Sarvesh Jha

Sarvesh Jha is a seasoned government exam mentor with firsthand success in top exams like IBPS PO, SBI PO, CDS, RRB JE, SSC CGL, BPSC, and CTET. Known for his deep conceptual clarity and strategic approach, he has guided over 5000 students through personalized mentorship. He has been creating well researched content for last 5 years.

Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. (iv) Neolithic site with stone artefacts

  2. (v) Site of Indus Valley Civilization

  3. (vi) Early Harappan site with a fire-pit

  4. (vii) Late Harappan site

  5. (viii) The Ochre Coloured Pottery (OCP) site

  6. (ix) Mesolithic site

  7. (x) Megalithic site

  8. (xi) Mahajanapada of South India

  9. (xii) Site of Buddha's Mahaparinirvana

  10. (xiii) Major Rock Edict of Asoka


Important Questions from Miscellaneous

  1. How will you manage a case of misplaced copper-T (Cu-T)? 

  2. Describe the embryogenesis, clinical features and principles of management of cleft palate.

  3. Write short notes in 150 words:
    Metagenesis

  4. Write short notes in 150 words:
    Book lungs

  5. Write short notes in 150 words:
    Paedomorphosis

Need Expert Advice?
Upcoming Exams
UPSC IFoS
November 22, 2026
UPSC SO Steno
December 12, 2026
Test Series
IAS img
UPSC
UPSC CSE (IAS) 2027 Prelims Mock Test Series
662 Tests 3 Tests Free
1705 Attempts
4.8(203)
English, Hindi
More Questions from IAS

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App