Muhammad bin Tughlaq - Early Life, Administration, Expeditions, Policies, Death, Legacy And More!

Muhammad bin Tughluq, also Juna Khan, was a famous ruler in India's history, known for his unique ideas and rule. He was born in 1300 CE to the Tughlaq dynasty family. His father, Ghiyasuddin Tughluq, was a respected military commander and founder of the Tughlaq dynasty. Muhammad's family had an important role in the government. This meant he learned about ruling from a young age, influencing his later decisions.

In this article, we will learn about Muhammad bin Tughluq. This forms a significant part of the UPSC IAS exam. UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains Paper I have many questions about this topic. It is also an important topic for UPSC History Optional and essential for the UGC NET History exam. Every year over 5-7 questions on political history are in the question paper.

Who was Muhammad Bin Tughlaq?

Muhammad bin Tughlaq was a medieval ruler who reigned over the Delhi Sultanate in India from 1325 to 1351. He is known for his ambitious and often controversial policies. This included the shifting of the capital city and the introduction of a token currency. Muhammad bin Tughlaq was known for his intelligence and scholarship. However, his reign was marked by both successes and failures.

Early Life of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq

Muhammad bin Tughlaq was born in 1300 in Delhi, India. He came from a noble Muslim family. He received an excellent education in various fields, including theology, philosophy, and the Quran. He showed exceptional intelligence and had a deep interest in learning from a young age.

Know more about the Foreign Policies under Delhi Sultanate!

Policies of Muhammad bin Tughluq

Muhammad bin Tughlaq implemented several policies during his reign. One of his notable policies was the introduction of a token currency. This aimed to replace the existing copper and silver coins with brass and copper tokens. However, this policy faced significant challenges. It led to economic instability and public dissatisfaction.

Religious Policies of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq

Muhammad bin Tughlaq followed a policy of religious tolerance and patronage. He was known for his support of Sufi saints and the promotion of Islamic education and scholarship. He encouraged the construction of mosques and madrasas (Islamic schools). He provided financial assistance to religious scholars and institutions.

Know more about Firoz Shah Tughlaq!

Expeditions of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq

Muhammad bin Tughlaq undertook several military expeditions during his rule. He launched campaigns in various regions.

• After conquering Warangal and Deccan, Tughlaq set his sights on expanding his empire further. He aimed to annex the kingdoms of Turkistan and Transoxiana. These were ruled by the weakened Chagatai Khanate and Hulagu Khan's descendants respectively.
• Tughlaq led another expedition targeting the Kullu-Kangra region in present-day Himachal Pradesh. Some historians suggest his ultimate goal was to cross the Himalayas and invade China. 
  • The Delhi Sultan's forces, accustomed to open plains, were ill-equipped for the hilly terrain. They faced strong resistance from the Rajput kingdom of Katoch under Dharm Chand.

Know more about the Decline of Delhi Sultanate!

Death and Legacy of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq

Muhammad bin Tughlaq passed away in 1351. His reign was marked by both achievements and failures. He was a scholar and had good intentions. However, some of his policies proved to be impractical and led to negative consequences. Despite the challenges and controversies, Muhammad bin Tughlaq's reign left a lasting impact on the history of the Delhi Sultanate.

Conclusion

Muhammad-bin-Tughluq did incredible things with architecture in medieval India. From the strong Tughlaqabad city to the beautiful Adilabad Fort, his creations were remarkable. His improvements to old structures and the innovative Coinage Tower showed his brilliance. His architectural legacy lives on and continues to inspire us.

Testbook provides a set of comprehensive notes for different competitive exams. Testbook is always on the list because of its best quality assured products. It provides live tests, mocks, Content pages, G.K. and current affairs videos, and more. To study more topics for UPSC and UGC NET, download the Testbook App now!