Alauddin Khalji had confiscated lands from hereditary village leaders such as khuts and muqaddams to weaken their economic influence. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq reversed this policy. He returned lands and privileges to these groups, arguing that mild governance, not strict control, promotes loyalty and better tax compliance. His approach was conciliatory, aiming to gain the cooperation of rural elites. While this improved relations and eased tensions in the countryside, it also weakened the centralized authority that Alauddin had built. Ghiyasuddin’s policies reflect a shift from harsh centralization to a more balanced and pragmatic rural administration.