Reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq

Introduction

Muhammad bin Tughluq, the eighteenth Sultan of Delhi, reigned from 1325 to 1351 CE. Known as a brilliant yet controversial ruler, he was equally admired for his intellect and criticized for his erratic decision-making. His reign is remembered as both the territorial zenith of the Delhi Sultanate and as the onset of its decline, marked by ambitious projects that largely failed due to poor execution, heavy taxation, and widespread rebellion. Muhammad bin Tughluq’s policies—radical at the time—left an indelible mark on India’s administrative, economic, and social history.

Early Life and Ascension

Born around 1290 CE, Muhammad bin Tughluq was the eldest son of Ghiyas-ud-Din Tughluq, the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty. As crown prince (Jauna Khan), he led multiple military campaigns, notably conquering Warangal and ending the Kakatiya dynasty in 1323. On Ghiyas-ud-Din’s accidental death in 1325, Muhammad ascended the throne at Delhi.

Expansion and Extent of the Empire

Under Muhammad bin Tughluq, the Sultanate briefly attained its greatest territorial extent, covering almost all of the Indian subcontinent north of the Krishna River:

• His armies campaigned in Malwa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Bengal, Odisha, and even forayed toward the Himalayas and western frontiers.
• Distant expeditions, however, drained the treasury and destabilized local administration, fueling cycles of revolt and repression.

Ambitious Projects and Experiments

Muhammad Tughlaq orders his brass coins to pass for silver in 1330 CE 

Muhammad bin Tughluq is most famous for a series of bold and often disastrous experiments:

1. Transfer of the Capital

• In 1327, he shifted the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (Devagiri) in the Deccan, ostensibly for strategic reasons and to exert better control over peninsular India.
• The forced migration imposed immense hardship, with many perishing from exhaustion and famine on the 1,000+ km journey. The experiment was soon abandoned, and the capital returned to Delhi in 1335–36.

2. Introduction of Token Currency

• Facing a shortage of precious metals, in 1330, Muhammad bin Tughluq introduced brass and copper coins to be used at par with silver (token currency), without adequate safeguards against forgery.
• This experiment failed miserably; counterfeiting became rampant, the currency devalued, and economic chaos ensued. Eventually, the tokens were withdrawn and exchanged for gold and silver, draining the royal treasury.

3. Taxation in the Doab

• To replenish the treasury, he imposed harsh, unprecedented taxes (increased up to twentyfold on some lands) in the fertile Ganga-Yamuna Doab.
• These measures coincided with crop failure and famine. Unable to pay, farmers deserted their lands or turned to banditry, leading to depopulation and economic decline.

4. Military Expeditions

• Muhammad planned ambitious campaigns, including an abortive (and likely imaginary) invasion of Khorasan and Central Asia, and an expedition to conquer distant territories like China.
• Most of these ventures failed, resulting in heavy losses, mutiny, and weakening of central authority.

Administrative and Social Policies

• Inclusiveness: He promoted social integration by appointing Hindus and lower castes to high offices, setting a precedent rare for his period.
• Legal and Social: He attempted to abolish Sati and carried out some religious reforms.
• Urbanization: Founded new cities like Jahanpanah and Adilabad fortification as part of Delhi’s expansion.
• Postal and Communication: Muhammad improved the empire’s communication network, planting trees and rest houses along highways and establishing a fast postal service.
• Religious Policy: Although he could be severe, he was also noted for bouts of religious tolerance—hosting Jain monks, participating in Hindu festivals, and honoring scholars of many faiths.

Governance, Character, and Legacy

• Personality: Muhammad bin Tughluq was deeply learned—fluent in Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, and Turkic, an expert in medicine and philosophy. Yet he could be harsh, impulsive, and prone to cruelty, as numerous executions and punishments of both rebels and allies attest.
• Rebellions: The rapid expansion of the Sultanate and harsh policies led to near-constant revolts. Bengal, Mabar (Madurai), the Deccan, and Rajputana broke away during his reign. The Bahmani Sultanate was founded in the Deccan, and the Vijayanagara Empire rose in South India as Muslim authority receded.
• Collapse: His reign saw both the apex and early collapse of the Sultanate. The combination of ambitious reforms gone awry, economic instability, famines, and widespread uprisings left the state fragmented and weakened by the time of his death.

Death and Aftermath

Muhammad bin Tughluq died in 1351 while campaigning against Taghi, a Turkic rebel, in Sindh. His successor, Firoz Shah Tughlaq, inherited a diminished and fractious empire, one where the days of strong, central rule were fast receding.

Interesting Facts

• Muhammad bin Tughluq is sometimes called the “Wisest Fool” for his intellectual acumen and practical failures.
• Ibn Battuta, the famous Moroccan traveler, served at his court and chronicled both the Sultan’s brilliance and his cruelty.
• His experiments with token currency stand as one of the earliest known attempts at fiat money in the world.
• Jahanpanah, the city he founded, is now a part of South Delhi, containing historic ruins and monuments.

Conclusion

Court of Muhammad bin Tughluq — a Mughal painting from the Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad (XXIII – 239) 

The reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq (1325–1351 CE) is a study in contrasts—unmatched ambition, learning, and innovation, undermined by hasty decision-making and severe governance. His experiments left lessons for administration and monetary policy still cited today, while the disruptions of his rule helped trigger lasting changes in the political map of medieval India. In his rise and fall, he remains one of the most fascinating—and tragic—figures in Indian history.