Correct Option
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq (r. 1325–1351 CE)
The remark, ‘The king was freed from his people and they from their king,’ made by the historian Abdul Qadir Badauni, refers to the death of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq. His reign was marked by a series of ambitious but often impractical administrative policies and experiments that led to widespread discontent, economic instability, and frequent revolts across the Delhi Sultanate. Key policies contributing to this dissatisfaction included:
- Transfer of Capital (1327 CE): The forced relocation of the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad caused immense hardship, loss of life, and disruption for the populace.
- Introduction of Token Currency: The issuance of brass and copper coins with the value of silver coins led to extensive counterfeiting, devalued currency, and economic collapse.
- Taxation in Doab: Increased land revenue demands in the fertile Doab region, exacerbated by famine, resulted in agricultural abandonment and peasant uprisings.
- Khorasan and Qarachil Expeditions: Costly and ultimately failed military campaigns that drained the state treasury and manpower without achieving their objectives.
These policies alienated both the nobility and the common people, leading to a general sense of relief upon his death in 1351 CE, which Badauni's comment succinctly captured.
Incorrect Options
Balban (r. 1266–1287 CE): Balban was known for his strong, autocratic rule and his 'blood and iron' policy aimed at restoring the prestige of the monarchy and maintaining law and order. While his rule was strict, it brought stability to the Delhi Sultanate, and his death was not associated with mutual relief but rather a period of political uncertainty.
Ala-ud-din Khalji (r. 1296–1316 CE): Ala-ud-din Khalji was a powerful and successful ruler, renowned for his extensive military conquests, administrative reforms, and stringent market control policies. Despite his strict governance, his reign was characterized by significant achievements, including repelling Mongol invasions and consolidating the sultanate's power, making the quote inapplicable to his death.
Firoz Shah Tughlaq (r. 1351–1388 CE): Firoz Shah Tughlaq, Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's successor, adopted a more conciliatory and welfare-oriented approach. His reign focused on public works, irrigation projects, and appeasing the nobility and ulema. He is generally remembered for his benevolent policies, which contrasts sharply with the widespread discontent described by Badauni's comment regarding his predecessor.