South India and her Muhammadan Invaders c12.2

c12.2

*Ghiyasu-d-din Tughlak.*—The accession of Ghiyasu-d-din Tughlak marks the beginning of a period that promised an ordered administration for Hindustan, and a re-assertion of the hold of the Muhammadans upon the Dakhan and South Indian kingdoms. Almost the first act of the reign of this king was the discovery of the relatives of Alau-d-din and the making of adequate provision for them. He bestowed as usual honours and titles upon his friends and relations, among the latter, the five sons of his. He gave his eldest son the title of Ulugh Khan and a royal canopy, at the same time declaring him heir-apparent. He made his friend Bahram Abiya of Uch, Kishlu Khan, and honoured him with the name of brother, adding to his province of Uch both Multan and Sind. He made his sister's son Bahau-d-din, Muster-master (Ariz-i-Mamalik) with the territory of Samana. He ordered other measures which undoubtedly were of benefit to the people, and showed unmistakably the statesman in the ruler. The revenue assessment was fixed at a tenth or eleventh of the produce either by estimate or by actual measure. His officers were ordered to see that cultivation increased year by year, and taxation was regulated so as to leave a margin of prosperity to the rayats. Even the Hindus were allowed to benefit by his rule, though they were taxed so that they might not be ‘blinded with wealth’. His civil measures were so excellent that Amir Khusru embodied his judgment in verse as follows:—