After the death of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq in c. 1351 AD, Firoz Shah Tughlaq (FST), cousin of MBT, succeeded him. His long reign of 37 years enjoyed a significant place in Turko-Afghan rule in India. He sat on throne when Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughlaq died suddenly after falling his horse at Thatta in c. 1351 AD. Because there was no male heir to Muhmmad Bin Tughlaq, the crown was offered to Firoz Shah Tughlaq. He was raised by MBT like his son and he was used to accompany MBT during wars and battles. But after ascending the throne, he faced number of challenges but he responded them smartly.
Also Read : Firoz Shah Tughlaq – Challenges and Response of New Sultan
Muhammad Bin Tughlaq – Estimate of His Personality
Muhammad Bin Tughlaq – Taxation and Agriculture Farm
Revenue Reforms of Firoz Shah Tughlaq
As we discussed, FST adopted policy of appeasement to keep his crown safe from any threat. So, for that he undertook number of reforms in revenue system. For the benefit of peasants 21 miscellaneous taxes (Abwab) were abolished. He collected five taxes only which were permitted by Shariat. A revenue survey was ordered by him and to do so Khwaja Hisam-ud-Din travelled across sultanate to estimated the total income.
After the analysis, the total income of state was estimated approx. 6.75 crore Tankas and this amount was fixed to carried out revenue reform. The practice of Peshkash (ceremonial gifts) was abolished by him as he knows that the burden of such gifts fell ultimately on poor peasants. Rate of Khum reduced to 1/5th of war booty. The practice of assessing revenue through survey was abolished. Hereafter, Izaradari method (auction method) was adopted, accordingly the highest bidder gets the right to collect revenue. This method also known as Revenue Farming Method.
Agrarian Reforms of FST
Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq took deep interest in the development of agriculture. He encouraged the cultivation of superior crops as Muhammad Bin Tughlaq did. Experimental farms were established for the invention of new seeds and new technologies in the field of agriculture and once they succeeded, transferred to peasants. For the development of irrigation facilities, he dug number of canals.
An irrigation tax known as Haqq-i-Sharb was collected at the rate of 10% from the land receiving water from these canals. According to Ziauddin Barani, state received an amount of 1.8 Lakhs Tankas per annum from the garden established by Firoz Shah Tughlaq in Delhi which were over 1200 in numbers. These reforms of Sultan were successful because production of food grains and fruits were increased significantly.
No famine like situation was emerged during Firoz Shah reign. According to Barani, the production of fruits was increased too much that resulted in the fell of prices. As a result, common peoples also able to purchase the fruits.
Welfare Measures of Firoz Shah Tughlaq
Diwan-i-Khairat, a new department of charity was established by Sultan, mainly works to helped the poor Muslim peasants during the marriage of their daughters. Diwan-i-Istihaq was established to provide pension to the peoples who suffered during the reign of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq. According to Sahms-i-Sirajafif, the author of Tariq-i-Firozshahi, 4200 men received pension from this department.
Diwan-i-Bandagan, department to look after slaves of Sultan, also established that maintained around 1.8 lakhs slaves. Dar-ul-Shafa, free hospitals with competent physicians were established for benefit of the peoples. He also established free kitchens. An employment bureau was established to register the unemployed persons in the sultanate to provide them employment.
For the benefit of travelers, he also took number of steps. He ordered that if anyone died on road, his body to be examine by Qazi to provide him the respected last rites. If any person died due to natural reasons, the body was to be buried and the belonging to be sent to next kin of the deceased person. If no kin were found then belonging deposited to state account. Adopting liberal approach, Sultan written off the loan of two crores maal given by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq.
Thus, the steps taken by Firoz Shah Tughlaq helped in the consolidation of his empire and strengthening his position as Sultan.
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