Life and Conditions of the People of Hindustan (1200–1550 A.D.) c5.s4.t3.7

c5.s4.t3.7

Under the special conditions of development of Muslim society in Hindustan, it was natural to expect that the ‘Ulama would acquire an undue prominence. Before Sultan ‘Ala-ud-din Khalji, no monarch had sufficient courage to put an effective check to the growing influence of the ‘Ulama, in spite of their sometimes acting in a manner contrary to his interests.⁴ Sultan ‘Ala-ud-din felt it necessary to define the exact functions of the ‘Ulama under the Sultanate, and to compel them to confine all their activities strictly within these prescribed limits. These limits were : to decide on judicial cases and to arbitrate on purely religious matters; all other matters were put outside their scope.⁵ The Sultan, however, held all real power, and though he humoured the Sufis now and then, he ruled very strictly according to the demands of a situation, and religious considerations found no favour with him. Muhammad Tughluq wanted to go a step further in secularising the State. He put the ‘Ulama exactly on the same footing as other employees of the State, and treated them accordingly.¹ With the advent of Firuz Tughluq the tide turned somewhat in favour of the ‘Ulama and the growth of religious influence in State counsels. The theologians took advantage of the numerous failures of Muhammad Tughluq, and persuaded his successor to listen to their advice in matters of State policy.² A number of law books were compiled, new impetus was given to religious schools and other institutions, and the ‘Ulama had reassumed their earlier position and influence when the invasion of Timur took place. But meanwhile the State was too well organized to admit the influence of the religious class except in certain matters of comparative insignificance. The Afghans, on coming to power, treated the ‘Ulama with marked respect but never admitted them to any effective voice in the administration. On the other hand, they used the religious influence of the theologians for their own ends.³