Understanding the Iqta System under Khalji and Tughluq Rulers

The question asks about the term used for the territories assigned to military commanders as governors by the Khalji and Tughluq rulers. This system was a key administrative feature of the Delhi Sultanate.

What was the Iqta System?

The Iqta system was a unique administrative and revenue-collecting system used by the Delhi Sultans. Under this system, large and small territories were assigned to military commanders or officials instead of giving them salaries directly in cash. These territories were known as Iqta.

Role of Military Commanders (Muqtis/Iqtadars)

The military commanders who received these Iqtas were called Muqtis or Iqtadars. They were responsible for:

• Maintaining law and order within their Iqta.
• Collecting the revenue from the territory.
• Using the collected revenue to pay their own salaries and maintain their troops.
• Supplying military contingents to the Sultan when required.

The Khalji and Tughluq rulers implemented stricter controls over the Muqtis to ensure they performed their duties correctly and sent surplus revenue to the central treasury.

Analyzing the Options

• Samanta: This term refers to a feudal lord or tributary chief, usually associated with the pre-Sultanate period in India, rather than the administrative divisions under the Delhi Sultanate.
• Muqti: This is the title given to the holder of the Iqta, i.e., the military commander or governor, not the territory itself.
• Iqtadar: Similar to Muqti, this term also refers to the holder or manager of the Iqta, not the land.
• Iqta: This term specifically refers to the territorial assignments or land grants given under the Iqta system.

Based on the historical context and the definitions of the terms, the lands assigned to the military commanders by the Khalji and Tughluq rulers were called Iqta.

Summary of Terms

Therefore, the correct answer is Iqta, which was the name for the territories granted to military commanders acting as governors during the Khalji and Tughluq rule in the Delhi Sultanate.

Revision Table: Key Concepts of Iqta System

Additional Information on Delhi Sultanate Administration

The Iqta system was the backbone of the administrative structure of the Delhi Sultanate, especially for managing vast territories outside the capital. It allowed the Sultans to delegate authority and responsibility while ensuring a supply of troops for the central army.

Notable rulers like Alauddin Khalji and Muhammad bin Tughluq introduced measures to prevent the Muqtis from becoming too powerful or exploiting the peasants. These included:

• Regular transfer of Muqtis from one Iqta to another.
• Appointment of auditors to check the accounts maintained by Muqtis.
• Strict rules regarding the collection of revenue and the maintenance of troops.

This system evolved over time and played a crucial role in the consolidation and expansion of the Delhi Sultanate.