The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India c11.s3.3

c11.s3.3

Another idea of the rulers of medieval India was to keep the prices of commodities of everyday necessity low. This idea too emanated in the time of Alauddin Khalji. It was either his own brain-child or that of his courtiers and Ulama. His passion for incessant conquests and constant invasions of Mongols had rendered maintenance of a large army unavoidable. Even if he had recruited the large number of soldiers on a moderate salary, the entire treasure of the state would have been exhausted in five or six years.⁴⁸ Alauddin, therefore, decided to cut down the salary of soldiers; but to prevent their falling victim to economic distress,⁴⁹ he also decided to reduce the prices of commodities of daily use.