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Difficulty: MediumMedieval Indian Dynasties, Administration, and Regional Kingdoms

With reference to the revenue and market administration introduced by Alauddin Khalji during the Delhi Sultanate, consider the following statements:

1. He was the first Sultan of Delhi to order the measurement of cultivated land for land revenue assessment.
2. The department of 'Diwan-i-Mustakhraj' was established to look after the welfare of royal slaves and public charities.
3. 'Shahna-i-Mandi' was a high-ranking official appointed to supervise and control operations in the grain markets.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 and 3 onlyAnswer
  2. B
    2 only
  3. C
    1 and 2 only
  4. D
    1, 2 and 3

Answer

1 and 3 only
Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Alauddin Khalji introduced the system of measuring land (Biswa) for revenue calculation, making him the first Delhi Sultan to do so. He also set up price-control mechanisms for market commodities, appointing an officer called Shahna-i-Mandi to manage and supervise grain markets. Statement 2 is incorrect because Diwan-i-Mustakhraj was created to inquire into and realize outstanding land revenue arrears from officials, not for managing slaves or charitable works.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Evaluate Statement 1 regarding land revenue measurement
Statement 1 is correct. Alauddin Khalji was the first ruler of the Delhi Sultanate to insist that land revenue in the fertile Doab region be assessed based on direct measurement of cultivated land using the standard unit 'Biswa'.
Direct measurement ensured that revenue demand was based on actual agricultural yield rather than rough estimation.
2
Evaluate Statement 2 regarding Diwan-i-Mustakhraj
Statement 2 is incorrect. Alauddin Khalji created the department of 'Diwan-i-Mustakhraj' specifically to extract and collect revenue arrears (unpaid dues) from village headmen and revenue collectors (Muqaddams and Chaudharis). The department created for managing slaves was 'Diwan-i-Bandagan', established later by Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
Misattributing administrative functions across Sultanate departments is a common historical error.
3
Evaluate Statement 3 regarding market control officials
Statement 3 is correct. Under his comprehensive market control policy, Alauddin Khalji appointed an official designated as 'Shahna-i-Mandi' to head each market (specifically foodgrain markets) to maintain strict control over prices, weights, and supplies.
Market control was maintained through designated supervisors reporting to the Diwan-i-Riyasat.

Key Concept

Revenue and Market Administration under Alauddin Khalji
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Topics

Medieval Indian Dynasties, Administration, and Regional Kingdoms

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