History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c16.27

c16.27

The salary of the trooper was pretty meagre, but 'Alāuddīn seems to have been very particular in keeping his soldiers contented. His instructions to Malik Tājuddīn Kāfūr while the latter was marching on an expedition to Warangal clearly show the keen interest 'Alāuddīn took in the welfare of his soldiers. He used to lavish largesses on his generals and troops whenever they returned from the Deccan. But the king could not give his soldiers a high salary. He was also opposed to assigning them lands for their maintenance. Consequently he cheapened the necessaries of life, controlled the market, and undertook other economic measures which will be studied in the next chapter. These reforms were undertaken primarily for the benefit of the soldiery, and indicate the interest the sultan took in the well-being of the army on which depended the fulfilment of his ambitions and the defence of the state.