The Delhi Sultanate — Part 4: The Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414)
The Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414) was marked by significant territorial expansion and controversial policies under rulers Ghiyasuddin and Muhammad bin Tughlaq, whose ambitious experiments often led to failure and instability.
At a glance
Founded the Tughlaq Dynasty and restored administration and treasury.
Known for his controversial policies and ambitious experiments that led to territorial expansion but also significant failures.
Under Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the Sultanate reached its maximum territorial extent across the Indian subcontinent.
Included the transfer of capital to Daulatabad and introduction of token currency, both of which resulted in chaos.
Medieval India — Part 1 of 5
4. The Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414)
4.1 Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (1320–1325)
Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, a military commander of partial Turkish and Jat origin, founded the third dynasty. He inherited an empire in disorder: the treasury was depleted, outlying provinces had proclaimed independence, and the administrative machinery was out of gear.
Ghiyasuddin addressed the situation systematically:
- Restored administration and treasury: Replenished finances and reorganised the administrative apparatus.
- Warangal (1321–23): Sent his son Ulugh Khan (the future Muhammad bin Tughlaq) to reassert authority. Warangal was conquered and directly annexed to the Sultanate — a departure from Alauddin's protectorate policy. Rai Rudra Dev was captured and brought to Delhi.
- Jajnagar in Orissa (1324): Ulugh Khan marched against Bhanudeva II of Jajnagar, who had supported Rai Rudra Dev. Jajnagar was defeated, plundered, and annexed.
- Bengal (1324): Ghiyasuddin personally marched to Bengal to settle a fratricidal dispute and brought Lakhnauti back under nominal Sultanate authority.
Ghiyasuddin died in 1325 when a wooden pavilion collapsed on him at Afghanpur near Delhi. Barani's account exonerates Muhammad bin Tughlaq, calling it accidental.
4.2 Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1324–1351) — Experiments and Failures
Muhammad bin Tughlaq (Ulugh Khan before accession) is one of the most controversial rulers in Indian history — intellectually brilliant (proficient in mathematics, logic, and Islamic law), yet repeatedly involved in policy catastrophes. The Arab traveller Ibn Battuta, who served as Qazi of Delhi for seven years under him, described him as generous and erudite but prone to sudden cruelty.
Territorial extent: Under Muhammad bin Tughlaq the Sultanate reached its maximum territorial extent — from Peshawar in the northwest to Ma'bar in the far south, and from Gujarat in the west to Jajnagar (Orissa) in the east. For the first time since the Mauryas, most of the subcontinent was under one political authority. However, this dominance proved short-lived.
Five major experiments and their outcomes:
-
Transfer of Capital to Daulatabad (c.1327): Muhammad moved the capital from Delhi to Devagiri (renamed Daulatabad, near present-day Sambhaji Nagar in Maharashtra), arguing that the central location would improve imperial control. The population of Delhi was forced to travel over 1,000 km. A few years later, as the plan misfired, the capital was shifted back — both transfers causing enormous loss of life. Northern administration was disrupted and Delhi's prosperity severely damaged.
-
Introduction of Token Currency: Muhammad introduced copper token coins to replace gold and silver. Conceptually forward-looking (most modern currencies are token), the scheme lacked the state machinery to prevent counterfeiting. Rampant forgery caused economic chaos, and the measure was eventually abandoned.
-
Khorasan Expedition (c.1329–30): An ambitious plan to conquer Khorasan (Afghanistan and beyond). An enormous army of approximately 370,000 soldiers was recruited and paid a year's salary in advance. The project was ultimately abandoned as unrealistic; disbanding this army led to tremendous financial loss and multiple rebellions.
-
Qarachil Expedition (c.1332): A campaign to fortify the northern frontier, directed at the Qarachil region (modern Kulu, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh). The army occupied Jidya but then exceeded instructions and marched toward Tibet. The rains set in, disease and panic overtook the force, and only a handful of soldiers returned. The disaster greatly eroded the Sultan's authority.
-
Revenue Enhancement in the Doab: Muhammad tried to raise revenue demand in the fertile Doab region, which was simultaneously struck by a severe famine. The combination caused mass peasant flight and agricultural ruin.
Barani notes that the failures were not due to the Sultan's lack of faith or intelligence but because 'the people were not willing to cooperate for the implementation of his progressive policies.' The closing years of Muhammad's reign saw the Sultanate's boundaries shrink back nearly to 1296 levels as governors rebelled and provincial kingdoms asserted independence. Muhammad died in 1351 while on campaign in Sindh.