History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c17.2

c17.2

'Alāüddīn's passion for incessant conquest and constant invasions of the Mughal free-booters from the north-west had rendered maintenance of a large army unavoidable. Besides the army, the expenses on a large staff of state officials, civil and military administration, and on slaves¹ involved heavy liabilities on the royal exchequer. The wealth accumulated in the time of Sultan Jalāluddīn,² the treasures secured from the raid on Devagiri in 1296 and the yearly tributes collected from the various provinces and dependencies of the empire were insufficient to meet the financial burden. Even the raising of the revenue to fifty per cent. of the produce, the levying of different kinds of cesses, and the conversion of the drinking vessels of gold and silver into coins³ failed to meet the requirements of the state. It was calculated that if the king recruited a large number of troops on a moderate salary, the entire state treasure would be exhausted within five or six years.⁴ Moreover, from 1303 onwards a large number of buildings were constructed. 'Alāüddīn, therefore, decided to cut down the salary of soldiers; but to prevent their falling a victim to economic distress⁵ he decided to reduce the prices of commodities of daily use.⁶ With this end in view, he instituted various regulations and promulgated orders which brought down the cost of living. These regulations, which may be termed as Economic Reforms of ‘Alāūddīn Khaljī, form a conspicuous feature of his administration.