The
basis of Alauddin's empire was military power. It was only through military
power that he attained the throne and it was only through military power that
he could secure the throne. Therefore, he made many reforms to make the army
well-organized and powerful.
Reason
1.There
were continuous attacks by Mongols due to which the security of Delhi was in
danger. Therefore, there was a need for an army for border security.
2.
The Sultan wanted to expand the empire, especially he wanted to conquer the
south.
3.
A powerful army was also necessary for the internal security of the empire.
4.
The basis of the Sultan's uncontrolled power was his military power due to
which he could keep various classes under control.
Barani
also accepted the importance of a powerful army and wrote in Fatawa-i-Jahandari
that, “Kingship is based on two pillars – the first pillar is administration
and the second pillar is victory. The basis of both pillars is the army—if the
ruler is indifferent to the army, he destroys the state with his own hands.”
1. Strong and stable Army
Alauddin
created a permanent army which was under the direct control of the Sultan. His
predecessor Sultans depended on the armies of the nobles of the provinces. They
also received armies from subordinate feudal lords. Alauddin ended this type of
dependency. He was a capable commander and wanted to keep the army under his
direct control. For this, soldiers were recruited by the Army Minister (Ariz-i-Mumalik)
and they were given cash salaries.
2. Huliya- Face mark
Every
soldier was recruited according to his qualifications and was given a post. The
Sultan also supervised the recruitment of soldiers. The basis of recruitment
was not race or caste but the soldier's own merit. Records were kept of the
appearance of the recruited soldiers. This record was kept in Ariz's office.
With this reform it became mandatory for every soldier to be present himself
and he could not send anyone else in his place.
3. Dag-Branding of horses
Cavalry
had special importance in the army and the efficiency of the army depended on
it. The Sultan ordered quality horses to make the cavalry more efficient, and
efforts were also made to improve the breed of horses in the state. To ensure
that soldiers kept good horses, the practice of branding horses was introduced.
4. Cash Salary
Alauddin
fixed the salary of each cavalry soldier at 234 tanka per year. If he kept an
extra horse, he would get an additional 78 tankas per year. The soldiers were
paid from the treasury. Alauddin abolished land revenue or the system of giving
land in exchange for salary. Probably the infantry soldiers were given 156
tanks every year. They were also given cash salaries.
5. Market control
Due
to inflation in the market, prices of goods were increasing. But Alauddin was
not ready to increase the salaries of the soldiers. He was determined to keep
the soldiers at this salary. Therefore, to stop the rise in prices, he
implemented market control.
6. Construction and repair of forts
To
stop the invasion of Mongols, Alauddin built new forts on the border and got
the old forts repaired. Qualified soldiers were appointed among them. Adequate
weapons, food grains etc. were also kept for them.
7. Organization of the army
The
organization of the army was on the decimal system. The smallest unit was ten
soldiers. After this there were units of hundred, thousand. A unit of ten
thousand soldiers was called 'Tuman'. Amir Khusro has mentioned 'Tuman'.
8. Recruitment of qualified military officers
Nasrat
Khan. Alap Khan, Ulugh Khan, Malik Kafur
According
to Farishta, Alauddin's army had 4,75,000 well-equipped horsemen. Besides
these, there were infantry and elephants. Alauddin's reforms increased the
power and efficiency of the army and not only protected the north-west border
but also expanded the empire.
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