Delhi Sultanate and Regional Kingdoms
What the domain covers
This domain covers the Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526) and regional kingdoms. Code 128 tests dynastic sequence, administrative terms, economic policy, architecture and the interaction of court, Sufi and Bhakti traditions.
Core rules and concepts
- Five dynasties: Mamluk or Slave (1206-1290), Khalji (1290-1320), Tughlaq (1320-1414), Sayyid (1414-1451) and Lodi (1451-1526).
- Iqta: revenue assignment to officials in exchange for service; not hereditary in principle. The Sultanate also used khums, kharaj, jizya and market regulations.
- Alauddin Khalji: price controls, market inspectors, high revenue demand, Mongol defence and a large standing army.
- Muhammad bin Tughlaq: token currency, transfer of the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad, and ambitious campaigns; many policies failed because of poor implementation.
- Firuz Shah Tughlaq: canals, towns and a more conciliatory nobility; Timur's invasion in 1398 weakened Delhi.
- Regional kingdoms: Vijayanagara (1336) and Bahmani (1347) in the south; Bengal, Gujarat, Malwa and Rajput states. They fostered trade, Persianate culture and temple architecture.
Worked example
A question asks why Alauddin Khalji fixed prices. Reasoning: a large army and urban population needed cheap grain and goods; market control aimed to prevent hoarding and keep soldiers loyal. The measure required inspectors and punishments. Conclusion: the policy shows strong state capacity but also its limits, because controls were hard to sustain after his reign.
Traps
Do not call the Slave dynasty a dynasty of slaves only; it is a historiographical label for rulers of Turkish slave origin. Do not assume every Sultanate ruler was a strict theocrat; policies varied. Do not confuse Vijayanagara with the Bahmani kingdom; they were rivals.