A History of Agriculture in India v2.c55.s6.t4: Balban—A.D. 1266-1267
A History of Agriculture in India v2.c55.s6.t4
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Balban—A.D. 1266-1267
v2.c55.s6.t4.1
On the death of Nasir-ud-din in A.D. 1266, Balban, who was virtually in command of State affairs, succeeded him. He was a stern man, who ruled ruthlessly. He liquidated the clique of Turkish amirs who were a constant source of trouble. He put down brigands who plundered caravans. He refortified Lahore to ensure its safety from the Mongols. In his court were fifteen refugee kings and princes from Turkistan and adjoining area which had been occupied by the Mongols.
v2.c55.s6.t4.2
The Doab was in disorder. He distributed the land in Doab in fiefs to Turkish nobles, who were asked to clear the jungles and to root out the Hindu rebels. Balban died in A.D. 1286.
v2.c55.s6.t4.3
THE KHALJIS A.D. 1290-1320 THE PRICE CONTROL REGULATIONS AND REVENUE ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES OF ALA-UD-DIN KHALJI WRETCHED CONDITION OF THE PEASANTRY
v2.c55.s6.t4.4
JALAL-UD-DIN FIROZ (A.D. 1290-1296), a seventy-year-old man, was the founder of the Khaljis Dynasty. The Khaljis were a Turkish tribe domiciled in Afghanistan. Jalal-ud-din was a mild old man, a poor administrator who knew neither how to punish his foes nor reward his friends. A thousand thugs arrested by his army were transported to Bengal and set free. He was murdered in A.D. 1296, and his successor was his nephew, Ala-ud-din Khalji (A.D. 1296-1316), a vigorous but unscrupulous man. He restored order by curbing the power of rebellious chiefs. Grants of land given to them were confiscated. He developed a system of espionage which kept him informed about the intentions of his officials. Drinking of wine and dinner parties were prohibited.
v2.c55.s6.t4.5
In A.D. 1297, Gujarat was conquered by the army of Ala-ud-din and the renovated temple of Somnath was demolished. Ranthambor was captured in A.D. 1301, and its Rajput ruler Hamir Dev executed. The fort of Chitor was captured in A.D. 1303. The Raja of Malwa was defeated in A.D. 1305, and Ujjain, Mandu and Dhar were annexed. In A.D. 1308, Malik Kafur, Ala-ud-din's general, invaded south India and looted hoardes of gold and precious stones from the temples. He captured Devagiri, and the Kakatiya capital, Warangal. In A.D. 1311, Malik Kafur defeated the Hoysala King Ballala III, and invaded the Pandyan country, Ma'bar.