CBSE Class 7 Social Science Our Pasts II: The Delhi Sultans NCERT Solutions

In the twelfth century, Delhi first became the capital of a kingdom under the Tomara Rajputs. The ruler who established Delhi as a capital was Ananga Pala.

Based on evidence from inscriptions and coins, the language of administration under the Delhi Sultans was Persian. This language was used for official records and communication throughout the Sultanate.

The Delhi Sultanate reached its farthest territorial extent during the reigns of two prominent rulers: Alauddin Khalji and Muhammad Tughluq. Their conquests and administrative reach expanded the Sultanate significantly.

Ibn Battuta, a renowned traveler of the fourteenth century, journeyed to India from Morocco, a country located in North Africa.

The "circle of justice" is a concept that explains the relationship between the ruler, the army, and the subjects. According to this principle, it was crucial for military commanders to consider the welfare of the peasants because:

1. A king relies on his soldiers for military strength and maintaining order.
2. Soldiers require motivation and rewards for their service, which often comes in the form of salaries.
3. These salaries are paid from the revenue collected from the peasants.
4. Peasants can only pay revenue if they are prosperous and happy. Therefore, ensuring the well-being of the peasantry was essential for the continuous functioning of the military and the administration.

The "internal" and "external" frontiers of the Delhi Sultanate refer to different geographical and political zones:

1. Internal Frontiers: These comprised the 'hinterland' of the garrison towns, which were areas in the close neighborhood of the capital city, Delhi. This included territories like the forests of the Ganga and Yamuna Doab, which were under the direct control and administration of the Sultanate.
2. External Frontiers: These referred to the unconquered territories beyond the Sultanate's direct control, particularly the southern parts of the Indian subcontinent. These areas were often subject to raids or campaigns but were not fully integrated into the Sultanate's administration.

To ensure that the muqtis (governors) performed their duties effectively and did not become too powerful, the Delhi Sultans implemented several administrative measures:

1. Selection based on Qualification: Muqtis were chosen based on certain criteria and qualifications deemed suitable by the state.
2. Non-Hereditary Office: Their position was not inheritable, meaning sons did not automatically succeed their fathers, preventing the formation of powerful local dynasties.
3. Short Tenure of Iqtas: They were assigned iqtas (land revenue assignments) for a limited period, reducing their long-term attachment to a region.
4. Frequent Transfers: Muqtis were often transferred from one iqta to another to prevent them from developing independent power bases.
5. Defined Duties: Their primary responsibilities included leading military campaigns and maintaining law and order within their assigned iqtas.
6. Financial Oversight: Accountants were appointed by the state to meticulously check the amount of revenue collected by the muqtis, ensuring accountability and preventing embezzlement.

Reasons why muqtis might have wanted to defy the orders of the Sultans:

Despite these measures, muqtis might have been tempted to defy the Sultans due to several factors:

• Vast Power: Holding military and administrative authority in their iqtas gave them significant power, which could be misused.
• Distance from Capital: The vastness of the Sultanate meant that central control could be weak, especially in distant regions.
• Personal Ambition: Some muqtis might have harbored ambitions of independence or even challenging the Sultan's authority, especially if they felt they had strong local support or military backing.
• Exploitation of Peasants: The pressure to collect revenue and maintain their own forces might have led some muqtis to exploit the peasantry excessively, potentially leading to conflict with the Sultan's orders regarding just governance.