Kingship Principle of Ghiasuddin Tughlaq

Ghazi Malik proved his worth as a mature and fearless adventurer and the chieftains displayed their wisdom by placing a crown on his head.  Ghiyasuddin Tughluq assumed the title of Ghazi Malik. Rising from the ordinary position, the new sultan distributed honour, respect and position to his relatives and friends on the one hand, while on the other hand, imitating the example of Bulban, he dignified himself with pompous titles. In this way from the reorganized state's governance system, Ghiyasuddin propounded his kingship theory through the policy of administrative reforms and restoration of monarchy. In order to achieve his objective, he developed a workable plan, which was essentially an intermediate compromise between the rigid system of Alauddin and the exceedingly liberal gentleness of his successors. Barani says that in all administrative related work, the middle path “Rashm- i- Miyan”, was the basis of his policy.

                                Problem before the Sultan

1.     Rebellion: Irregular loyalty of the provinces

The empire over which Ghiyasuddin was called to rule was agitated by innumerable complex problems. His vastness was a hindrance in keeping an umbrella control in the far and wide area. There were frequent rebellions in the provinces. Sindh, Rajputana, Chittor, Nagaur, Jalore and the loyalty of Bengal was irregular. Apart from these unsatisfactory political conditions, which were immediately attracting the attention of the new Sultan, the system of governance was in complete disarray.

2.     Empty Treasury: wastage of money by predecessors

They were bribed to get the support of the officers and their persons. Qutbuddin Mubarak and Khusro Both the Khans had spent a lot of money in satisfying the soldiers to strengthen their position. It is said that due to the indiscriminate wastage of money by Khusro Khan, the fund was completely empty. The revenue system of Allauddin had completely collapsed and as a result the economic stability of the state suffered a severe blow.

Thus Ghiyasuddin Tughluq the problems that had to face were not only elaborate in size but also inherently complex. Although he was primarily a fighter, Ghiyasuddin quickly assessed the situation and found many bold step. He brought the administration of the Sultanate to the normal level by the steps taken by understanding it. Barani rightly expresses the important idea that it would take others years to achieve what he achieved in a few days. His firm and vigorous rule brought peace and prosperity to the people.                       

 Kingship Theory of Policy and Practical restraint: Rashm-i Miyan means middle way  

1.     Ascension: Neither anxiety nor reluctance but restraint

Ghazi Tughlaq after the assassination of Khusro Shah came to the Hazar Situn palace in Siri and got it checked before taking the throne that Whether a person of Alauddin Khilji 's lineage is alive or not, so that he can declare him as the ruler. He told the present nobles that "I was an ordinary person who was troubled by the heat and cold of the sun and the moon. Late Sultan Jalaluddin Khilji raised me from an insignificant position to his nearest level and with a sharp sword like a diamond, I woke up during the night and protected his provinces. The progress I have made since Alauddin Khilji's time came from that great ruler." The nobles requested him to take the throne but he reluctantly said- "My bow and arrow are my crown and throne. I love my Deepalpur very much. My sword and the head of the Mongols are enough for me. May you protect the crown and the one who wears it." Ibn Battuta also confirms this, saying that Ghazi Malik was not inclined to wear the crown and that he had come. kishlu Khan asked him to accept it . Finally Ghazi Malik on 8 September 1320 AD with the consensus of the amirs and maliks Ghiyasuddin Bearing the title of " Tughlaq Shah Ghazi" He duly assumed the throne.

2.     Farmer: Neither rebel nor beggar, but profit and loss partner

His orders were that the peasants should be treated in such a way that prosperity would not tempt them to rebel and they should not be made beggars. Under the circumstances, they will stop farming. The very drastic reforms of Alauddin had shattered the economic life of the peasants. The tax burden was so heavy that the motivation to work was lost. He was not interested in the advancement or development of agriculture. The benefits they had been enjoying for centuries were exhausted and they were thrown into the pit of poverty and impoverishment. In order to lighten the burden of the farmers, he abolished Alauddin 's rule of measuring land i.e. Hukm-i-Masahat and Each Biswa yield and instead implemented the rule of sharing in the produce  Huqm-i-Hasil. It had two benefits. First, it ensured the farmers profit from improved farming. Secondly, the complete or partial failure of the crop was taken care. Ghiyasuddin gave him a legal sanction with the condition that wherever possible it should be increased by 1/10 or 1/11.

3.Muqaddam : Neither indifferent nor rebellious, but the pride of the village chief

The apathy of the ''mukaddam" in becoming mediators between the Muktas and the peasants, which was due to the cessation of their perquisites, must have affected their economic condition. Such an odd situation was shouting and demanding change. Ghyasuddin Tughluq showed his mettle to the demands of the occasion and took concrete steps with firmness and sympathy to regularize the revenue affairs. Gyasuddin was against the policy of reducing the level of the village headman to the level of an ordinary farmer, expressing the view that - "It cannot be denied that the headman have heavy responsibility on their shoulders." So he returned the old rights of 'haq-i-khoti' to the intermediate zamindars, especially the muqaddams and khuts, made their fields and pastures tax-free, but did not give them the right of  'kismat-i-khoti '. In this way, he was given the same status which he had got at the time of Bulban. He was given a proper Zamindarana fee for the collection of rent, but at the same time he was forbidden to collect more than the fixed rent and commit atrocities. The head should be placed in such a position that he does not forget the right to rule and does not become rebellious or insolent due to abundance of money. Thus he behaved gentle but firm with the village headman. His services were put to use.

4. Governor and 'Mukta' : Neither arrogance nor suppression but obedient representative of the state

He laid down the rules of behavior of the governors and the 'muktas' in relation to the collection of land tax and took all possible pre-measures to protect the peasants from their tyranny and cruelty. Under this new system, the practice of giving the work of collecting land revenue on contract was not encouraged but it could not be neglected at the highest level because the posts of the governors were based on contract only. The surplus revenue ( Fawazil ) which they were to send to the Fund was pre - determined and not a matter to be settled on the basis of actual income and sanctioned expenditure. Free to consider together the coherent but scattered signs in 'Tarikh-i- Firoz shahi ' And it is possible to draw a clear and careful picture of the rules made for the direction of the governors. One-tenth or eleventh of the revenue of the maliks and amirs and one-tenth or fifteenth of the revenue of their land the Sultan was ready to give . Similarly, if the representative or subordinate officers surrendered half percent of their salary in addition to their salary, they were neither to be insulted nor to recover that amount from them by torture. But if they violated this rule, then they had to insult them by tying them with canes, removing their ego and recovering all the money from them. He was expected to make some demand from his ' iqta ' and keep some part of this demand for his representatives. This amendment to the contract system put more responsibility on the shoulders of the governors and the 'Muktas'. He had to see that the collection of revenue is done without atrocities and cruelty. No more demands are made from the farmers and the village headman does not pass on his dues to the farmers. As far as he was concerned, he was ordered to be extremely just and honest, otherwise the Revenue Ministry would treat him harshly and with impunity.

5. Reorganization of army : neither softness nor rigidity but efficient guardian

After the finances, military problems attracted the attention of the Sultan. Alauddin had created an influential military organization which had disintegrated under his successors. Experienced fighter Ghiyasuddin reorganized the army with hard work, as efficiently as possible, keeping the soldiers satisfied from the economic and other point of view was the basic principle of his military policy. It is important to note that Barani's love for the soldiers was greater than that of his parents. He took care that his salary and allowances should not be embezzled. His military system was efficient. Being an experienced soldier and a successful army hero, he had a fatherly affection for his soldiers.

6. Source of legitimacy of rule: neither genealogy nor parasuit Lander rather experience collector

Ghiasuddin Tughluq was a ruler of extraordinary abilities, pure intellect, firm and methodical. Like many other rulers, he rose from a simple position to a high peak. reached and he once noble Unlike Bulban, he never made a fictional dynasty for himself. He depended on his merits for his position. His rise was not meteoric. He gradually grew from one post to another, accumulating experience and gaining complete knowledge of man and his subjects. He was calm and selfish by nature. In times of trouble, he stood firm like a rock. Equitable percentage of Hindu soldiers and officers in his army. He reorganized the police and justice departments which inspired fear and respect in the hearts of the people. The roads became safe from robbers and thieves and peace and security spread in the state.

7.  Code of Law : Not arbitrary, but uniformity in guidance and decisions

In restructuring his system of governance, he followed the middle path which was a combination of firmness and propriety. In order to guide the officers and bring uniformity in their decisions, he introduced a code of law. Like Bulban, he was eager to collect a person worthy near him, but he was not a fan of pure blood like Bulban. In his view, only merit was important, not wealth and birth, he embezzled and tyrannical pressed firmly. To save his officers from simple temptations, he paid them good wages. His revenue reforms would have immediately brought great benefits to the Hindu mediators as he restored their privileges and allowances .

In short, founder of Tughluq dynasty was a ruler with wide sympathy, determination and prudent decision making. He was eager to revive the healthy tradition of the Delhi Sultanate. He gave new meaning to the methods and ideals of Alauddin Khalji and made them more useful and acceptable by taking out the sharp edge of cruelty in them. He could not become a promoter but he successfully played the role of mentor and organizer. The monarchy shows the development of liberal tendencies in the kingship of the Delhi Sultanate. That is why Amir Khusrau writes that “He did nothing which was not perfect. On the basis of knowledge and consciousness, it can be said that he was wearing the headdress of a hundred pundits under his crown".