The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India c11.s3.5

c11.s3.5

Without caring to understand that low prices cripple production and impoverish the producer, many sultans after Alauddin Khalji took pride in competing with him in keeping prices low. But their actions led not only to the impoverishment of the peasantry but also of shopkeepers and businessmen. Shams Siraj Afif feels jubilant at describing and listing the low prices during the reign of Firoz Tughlaq, claiming that while Alauddin had to make strenuous efforts to bring down the prices, in the time of Firoz Tughlaq they remained low without resorting to any coercion.⁵² Like Alauddin, Sikandar Lodi also used to keep a constant watch on the pricelevel in the market.⁵³ Abdullah, the author of *Tarikh-i-Daudi*, says that during the reign of Ibrahim Lodi the prices of commodities were cheaper than in the reign of any other Sultan except in Alauddins last days, and adds that whereas in Alauddins time the cheapness of prices was maintained through compulsion, force and dire punishments, in Ibrahims reign prices remained low naturally.⁵⁴