Muhammad Bin Tughlaq – Transfer of Capital and Currency Reforms

Muhammad Bin Tughlaq – transfer of capital and token currency as discussed by Harsh

After flourishing for more than three decades, the Khilji empire came to an end as they were replaced by Tughlaqs in c. 1320 AD. Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq was the founder of Tughlaq dynasty but he ruled only for short-period of time of only five years. After that his son Muhammad-Bin-Tughlaq (MBT) ascended the throne of Delhi Sultanate in c. 1325 AD.

His 26 years long reign enjoyed a great significance in the history of Turko-Afghan rule in India. After ascending the throne of Delhi sultanate, he undertook number of reforms and innovations which included the transfer of capital and currency reforms.

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Transfer of Capital

In c. 1327-28 AD., Sultan MBT transferred his capital from Delhi to Daultabad. In c. 1327, the members of royal family were sent and in 1328 others were moved to Daultabad. According to the Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta, MBT wanted to punish the peoples of Delhi because they used to send offensive letters of sultan. This view was rejected by modern historians because it was impossible to through letter to sultan without getting caught.

It is accepted that capital was transferred because MBT wanted capital in the middle of the empire to control the territories more effectively. Daultabad was chosen because it was in middle of the empire and it was remained from the threat of Mongols. According to Ibn Battuta and Barani all residents of Delhi were ordered to move to Daultabad but recent researches revealed that Delhi was not abandoned completely.

An inscription found near the Naraina village near Delhi dated c. 1328 AD informed that Delhi was quite prosperous during this year. The gold coin belonged to c. 1329 was discovered recently from Delhi which indicated that there was administrative machinery working during these years. Modern historians believed that royal family, Ulemas and Sufi saints went to Daultabad, leaving the ordinary peoples behind in Delhi.

Retransfer of Capital

Muhammad Bin Tughlaq has decided to retransferred the capital back to Delhi in c. 1335-36 AD. According to Barani, Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughlaq realized his mistake and hence decided to transfer back the capital to Delhi. But this view was rejected by modern historians but it was due to change in the political scenario of Peninsular India which forced MBT to retransfer his capital back to Delhi.

A severe epidemic of plague broke out in south which killed number of royal soldiers. Taking advantage of this, the governor of Madurai declared independence in c. 1335 and in c. 1336 the Empire of Vijayanagara was established by Harihara and Bukka. The Sultan Muhammad Bin Tughlaq was not in the position to reconquer these regions. And hence, he decided to bring the capital to Delhi.

According to Barani and Ibn Battuta, Delhi took many years to prosper back. Sultan made number of arrangements while shifting capital and bringing it back but this process resulted in number of deaths of peoples and soldiers. This experiment resulted in destruction of economy of empire in many ways.

Currency Reforms of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq (Token Currency)

Muhammad Bin Tughlaq introduced currency reforms in state system of Delhi. He introduced Token Currency for the first time in the history of India. Token currency refers to face value which is greater than the intrinsic value. Such currency made of copper and of poor-quality bronze was issued by Sultan in c. 1329. This token coins had value equal to gold and silver coins.

The idea was good but it was not an idea ahead of time because token currency was already in circulation in China and Persia. The idea of MBT was failed because design of this token coins was simple and could easily duplicated. State failed to maintain its monopoly over the minting of token coins. In no time the market was flooded with forged coins. Because of that, Merchants and traders stopped accepting this token coins. Under these circumstances Sultan ordered withdrawal of Token currency from market.

Impact of Failure of Token Currency

The failure of currency reforms severely impacted the economy and political life of the Delhi sultanate. State lost revenue because peasants used forged coins to pay the revenue. The rebellions elements used to forge coins to buy weapons and horses as a result of which revolts and rebellion were became frequent. Token currency adversely impacted the trade and commerce as Merchants and traders stopped accepting the token currency.

Thus, the experiments of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq of token currency and transfer of capital become failure because of the lack of administrative system.