History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c15.4

c15.4

No doubt ‘Alāuddīn’s revenue reforms were as distasteful to the nobility and landowners as those others in other spheres of administration, but they were in consonance with the general spirit of administration. The reasons which prompted the sultan to take drastic measures to realise the largest amount of revenue from land and other sources of income are quite obvious. The number and intensity of Mughal invasions in his reign, and the internal menace of the refractory nobles and princes made him into “an absolutely ruthless ruler.” Therefore, whatever measures he undertook, either in the civil or revenue administration, or for social welfare, his one object was to bring about security against internal as well as external troubles. The first step towards resumption of royal grants and other landed property was undertaken to clip the wings of a contumacious nobility, for, according to the political philosophy of the Sultan it was "wealth" that bred disobedience and vanity. His other measures, concerning the measurement of land, fixation of the rate of land-revenue and its realisation were undertaken to ensure subsistence for a huge army which he had recruited to repulse the Mughal invasions on the one hand and extend his dominions on the other.