Ghiyas ud-Din Tughluq

Ghiyās-ud-Dīn Tughluq (reigned 1320–1325 CE) was the founder of the Tughluq dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. Known for his military skill, administrative foresight, and architectural achievements, he established political stability after the chaotic decline of the Khalji dynasty. His reign marked the beginning of a new phase in medieval Indian history, characterised by the reorganisation of the empire, restoration of discipline, and consolidation of northern India under strong central authority.

Background and Early Career

• Ghiyās-ud-Dīn Tughluq’s original name was Ghāzī Malik.
• He was of Turko-Mongol (or Turko-Afghan) origin; his father was said to be a Turkish slave of the Khaljis, and his mother a Jat woman from Punjab.
• He began his career as a soldier under Alauddin Khalji and rose to prominence through loyalty and military efficiency.
• During the reign of Mubarak Shah Khalji, he served as the governor of Dipalpur and successfully defended the north-western frontier from Mongol invasions.

His reputation as a capable commander and administrator earned him the loyalty of troops and nobles in Punjab.

Accession to the Throne

• The Khalji dynasty collapsed after the assassination of Qutb-ud-Din Mubarak Shah by Khusrau Khan in 1320 CE.
• Ghāzī Malik rebelled against Khusrau Khan’s regime, marched from Dipalpur, and defeated him near Delhi.
• After restoring order, he ascended the throne with the title Ghiyās-ud-Dīn Tughluq in 1320 CE, founding the Tughluq dynasty — the third ruling house of the Delhi Sultanate.

His accession marked a return to orthodox Islamic principles and the reassertion of law and discipline after the political excesses of the Khalji period.

Consolidation of Power

Ghiyās-ud-Dīn faced the immediate challenge of restoring stability and re-establishing central control over provinces that had become semi-independent during the late Khalji years.

1. Suppression of Rebels:
   • He subdued rebellions in the Doab region, Bengal, and Warangal.
   • Rebellious governors and local chieftains were replaced by loyal officers.
2. Restoration of Law and Order:
   • The Sultan enforced strict discipline in administration and ensured justice through firm governance.
   • Corruption and misrule were curbed through central oversight.
3. Provincial Control:
   • He reorganised the provinces (iqtas) to ensure direct revenue flow to the royal treasury.
   • Appointed trusted nobles as governors, reviving the efficiency of the Delhi Sultanate’s bureaucratic structure.

Military Campaigns

Ghiyās-ud-Dīn Tughluq was an energetic ruler and an able general. His reign was marked by several important military expeditions:

1. Campaign against Bengal (1324 CE):

• Bengal had declared independence under Nasiruddin Nusrat Shah following the decline of Khalji authority.
• Ghiyās-ud-Dīn led a successful expedition, reasserting Delhi’s suzerainty.
• The Bengal ruler was defeated and reinstated as a vassal under tribute obligations.
• This restored Delhi’s influence in eastern India after decades of fragmentation.

2. Campaign against Warangal (1321–1323 CE):

• Ghiyās-ud-Dīn’s son, Ulugh Khan (later Muhammad bin Tughluq), was sent to subdue the Kakatiya ruler Prataparudra Deva II in the Deccan.
• The campaign succeeded; Warangal was captured and annexed.
• The victory extended Delhi’s power deep into the Deccan and added immense wealth to the treasury.

3. Frontier Defence:

• Ghiyās-ud-Dīn fortified the north-western frontiers against Mongol incursions.
• He strengthened military outposts at Multan and Dipalpur, ensuring frontier stability.

Through these campaigns, he consolidated Delhi’s authority from Punjab to Bengal and from Sindh to the Deccan, restoring the Sultanate’s territorial integrity.

Administration and Reforms

Ghiyās-ud-Dīn Tughluq was a just, pragmatic, and orthodox ruler who aimed to strengthen administration and improve the condition of his subjects.

1. Judicial and Religious Policy:
   • He followed the principles of Sharia (Islamic law) and appointed Qazis and Muftis to administer justice.
   • Non-Muslims were treated according to traditional Sultanate practice — required to pay jizya, but otherwise left undisturbed.
   • He discouraged extravagance and maintained an austere court.
2. Revenue Administration:
   • Revived and improved the land revenue system introduced by Alauddin Khalji.
   • Ordered surveys of cultivated land and rationalised taxation to reduce exploitation.
   • Ensured efficient collection and strict accountability among revenue officials.
3. Military and Infrastructure:
   • Maintained a strong, well-equipped army to defend the empire’s borders.
   • Encouraged fortification and road building to facilitate troop movement and trade.
4. Public Works:
   • Constructed the new fortified capital city of Tughluqabad near Delhi.
   • Built robust and functional architecture reflecting Islamic and indigenous styles.
   • Improved communication and trade routes, especially between Delhi and Bengal.

Architecture and Tughluqabad Fort

Ghiyās-ud-Dīn was a patron of architecture, known for his monumental constructions that reflected strength and simplicity.

• Tughluqabad Fort:
  • Built around 1321–1323 CE, it was a massive stone fortress designed for defence rather than ornamentation.
  • The fort had high sloping walls, bastions, and gateways, embodying the militaristic character of the Tughluq dynasty.
  • Nearby stands Ghiyās-ud-Dīn’s tomb, a fine example of early Indo-Islamic architecture — made of red sandstone and white marble with a dome resembling a pyramid.

His architectural style emphasised durability, austerity, and functionality, setting the tone for later Tughluq architecture.

Death

• Ghiyās-ud-Dīn died in 1325 CE under mysterious circumstances.
• According to some chroniclers, he was killed in an accident when a wooden pavilion built to welcome him at Afghanpur (near Delhi) collapsed.
• However, later historians such as Barani and Ibn Battuta suggest that it was a conspiracy orchestrated by his son, Ulugh Khan (Muhammad bin Tughluq), to hasten his accession to the throne.

Whatever the truth, his death marked the end of a short but effective reign.

Legacy

1. Restoration of Order:
   • Ghiyās-ud-Dīn revived the stability of the Delhi Sultanate after years of turmoil under the later Khaljis.
2. Administrative Foundation:
   • His administrative and military reforms provided the groundwork for the ambitious but erratic policies of his successor, Muhammad bin Tughluq.
3. Architectural Heritage:
   • The fort and tomb at Tughluqabad remain enduring symbols of early 14th-century Indo-Islamic architecture.
4. Balanced Governance:
   • He was a ruler who balanced religious orthodoxy with practical governance and military strength with administrative discipline.