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Difficulty: Very hardMedieval Indian Dynasties, Administration, and Regional Kingdoms

Arrange the following administrative institutions and policy reforms of Medieval India in correct chronological order of their initial establishment or promulgation (from the earliest to the latest):

  1. 1Formal organization of the Iqta administrative system and creation of the central standing army (Qalb-i-Sultani) by Sultan Shams-ud-din Iltutmish
  2. 2Establishment of the Diwan-i-Amir-i-Kohi (Department of Agriculture) to extend arable land and introduce crop rotation by Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq
  3. 3Institutionalization of the Nayankara military-administrative framework in Southern India during the peak reign of Krishnadevaraya
  4. 4Promulgation of the Ain-i-Dahsala (Ten-Year Land Revenue Settlement System) by Raja Todar Mal under Emperor Akbar

Answer

The correct chronological sequence from earliest to latest is: Formal organization of the Iqta administrative system by Sultan Iltutmish (c. 1220s CE) → Establishment of the Diwan-i-Amir-i-Kohi by Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq (c. 1326–1330 CE) → Institutionalization of the Nayankara framework under Krishnadevaraya (c. 1509–1529 CE) → Promulgation of the Ain-i-Dahsala revenue settlement by Raja Todar Mal under Akbar (1580 CE).
The chronological progression reflects the structural evolution of medieval Indian statecraft across different dynasties and regions. Sultan Iltutmish organized the Iqta system in the early 13th century (c. 1220s CE) to consolidate territorial control. Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq created the Diwan-i-Amir-i-Kohi in the 1320s CE to boost agricultural output. In Southern India, Krishnadevaraya consolidated the Nayankara system during his reign (1509–1529 CE). Finally, Raja Todar Mal introduced the Ain-i-Dahsala revenue settlement in 1580 CE under Mughal Emperor Akbar.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the historical period and ruler associated with the formal organization of the Iqta administrative system and Qalb-i-Sultani.
Sultan Iltutmish of the Delhi Sultanate (Slave Dynasty) structured the Iqta system in the early 13th century (c. 1220s CE).
This is the earliest administrative development among the listed options.
2
Determine the date of the establishment of the Diwan-i-Amir-i-Kohi.
Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq of the Tughlaq Dynasty established this agricultural department in the early 14th century (c. 1326–1330 CE).
This reforms followed Iltutmish's reign by roughly a century.
3
Pinpoint the timeline of the Nayankara system consolidation under Krishnadevaraya.
Krishnadevaraya ruled the Vijayanagara Empire from 1509 to 1529 CE, strengthening the Nayankara system where Nayakas held land grants (amaram) in exchange for military service.
This occurs in the early 16th century, post-dating the Tughlaq era and pre-dating the peak Mughal administration.
4
Establish the promulgation year of the Ain-i-Dahsala system.
Emperor Akbar's finance minister, Raja Todar Mal, introduced the Dahsala system in 1580 CE.
This represents the latest administrative innovation among the four listed events.

Key Concept

Chronology of Medieval Indian Governance and Administrative Evolution
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Topics

Medieval Indian Dynasties, Administration, and Regional Kingdoms

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