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What was the meaning of ‘Fawazil’ during the Sultanate period?
In the iqta system, fawazil denoted surplus receipts—amounts collected over and above the official share or stipend granted to iqtadars (land administrators). Instead of keeping the extra for themselves, iqtadars were expected to hand over fawazil to the central treasury as additional state revenue.Read more
In the iqta system, fawazil denoted surplus receipts—amounts collected over and above the official share or stipend granted to iqtadars (land administrators). Instead of keeping the extra for themselves, iqtadars were expected to hand over fawazil to the central treasury as additional state revenue. This mechanism allowed sultans to extract more income from productive lands and manage finances without altering formal grants. The concept underlined the balance between local fiscal privileges and the sovereign’s right to claim surplus produce and it was an important element in medieval revenue administration.
See lessWho among the following built India’s oldest tomb—the tomb of Nasiruddin Mahmud, Sultangarhi/Delhi—and also holds the distinction of being the “Father of the Tomb Building Style”?
Iltutmish played a formative role in the development of Indo-Islamic funerary architecture. He built the tomb of his son Nasiruddin Mahmud at Sultan Garhi, which is among the earliest extant Islamic tombs in the Delhi region. These structures displayed experimental fusion of local building methods aRead more
Iltutmish played a formative role in the development of Indo-Islamic funerary architecture. He built the tomb of his son Nasiruddin Mahmud at Sultan Garhi, which is among the earliest extant Islamic tombs in the Delhi region. These structures displayed experimental fusion of local building methods and Islamic forms—such as arches, domes and corbelled features—paving the way for later monumental tombs. Because of these early exemplars, Iltutmish is often regarded as a founding figure in the Sultanate’s tomb-building tradition; his projects established architectural vocabulary that later matured under subsequent dynasties.
See lessAfter consolidating his power, Balban assumed the grand title of:
Ghiyasuddin Balban sought to transform kingship into an exalted, near-sacred institution. By assuming the title Zill-e-Ilahi—literally “Shadow (or Representative) of God”—he underscored the monarch’s divine endorsement and demanded reverence from subjects and nobles. Balban reformed court rituals, sRead more
Ghiyasuddin Balban sought to transform kingship into an exalted, near-sacred institution. By assuming the title Zill-e-Ilahi—literally “Shadow (or Representative) of God”—he underscored the monarch’s divine endorsement and demanded reverence from subjects and nobles. Balban reformed court rituals, strictened discipline and enforced severe punishments for dissent to elevate royal dignity. These measures were intended to curb aristocratic autonomy and consolidate centralized authority. The title and associated ceremonial innovations helped Balban impose a new model of absolute monarchy within the Delhi Sultanate, elevating sovereignty above rival power centers.
See lessThe Sultan of Delhi, famous for building the largest network of canals in India, was: (A) Sikandar Lodi (B) Firoz Shah Tughlaq (C) Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (D) Iltutmish
Firoz Shah Tughlaq left a lasting imprint through vigorous public-works programs, notably an ambitious program of canal construction and restoration. Recognizing irrigation’s importance for agrarian productivity, he dug and revived numerous canals to distribute water to parched regions, thereby expaRead more
Firoz Shah Tughlaq left a lasting imprint through vigorous public-works programs, notably an ambitious program of canal construction and restoration. Recognizing irrigation’s importance for agrarian productivity, he dug and revived numerous canals to distribute water to parched regions, thereby expanding cultivable land and stabilizing rural economies. His reign is also remembered for building roads, reservoirs, hospitals (dar-ul-shafa) and rest-houses, reflecting a comprehensive welfare and infrastructural agenda. Although some projects strained the treasury, Firoz Shah’s focus on waterworks and canals was unparalleled among Delhi Sultans and greatly affected medieval India’s agrarian landscape.
See lessWho formed the “Turkan-e-Chihalgani” or “Chaalisa Dal” consisting of 40 Turkish chieftains?
The Turkan-e-Chihalgani—literally the “forty Turks”—was an influential grouping of Turkish nobles created during Iltutmish’s era, who dominated court politics and military affairs. Iltutmish relied on these experienced chieftains to secure and administer the expanding Sultanate, but the group’s collRead more
The Turkan-e-Chihalgani—literally the “forty Turks”—was an influential grouping of Turkish nobles created during Iltutmish’s era, who dominated court politics and military affairs. Iltutmish relied on these experienced chieftains to secure and administer the expanding Sultanate, but the group’s collective power also complicated centralized rule, as their rivalries and ambitions frequently shaped succession crises. The Chahalgani system highlights the pivotal role of Turkish military elites in early Delhi politics and the balance leaders like Iltutmish had to maintain between empowering them for military success and containing their political influence.
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