Delhi Sultanate: The Sultans & Nobles, Town life, Religious Freedom, Slaves & Artisans

Government, Economic, and Social Life Under the Delhi Sultanate: Political and Cultural Structures

Sultan and Nobles in the Delhi Sultanate: Power, Palaces, and Prestige

Living Standards:

Sultan and nobles had opulent living comparable to the Islamic ruling class in West and Central Asia.
Each Sultan built elaborate palaces; Balban and Alauddin Khalji continued this tradition.

Palace Descriptions:

Muhammad Tughlaq's palace had heavily guarded gates leading to the 'court of thousand pillars'.
Public court sessions and lavish gifts were common during festivals.

Robes and Gifts:

Muhammad Tughlaq annually presented 2,00,000 robes of honor, woven with imported fabrics.
Gifts were distributed during special occasions like birthdays and coronation days.

Town Life: Slaves, Artisans, and Other Social Groups in the Delhi Sultanate

Urban Development:

Towns grew around military garrisons, becoming cultural centers.
Varied population included nobles, clerks, artisans, and servants.

Slavery in the Delhi Sultanate:

Slaves from various origins, including Africa, valued for domestic service and craftsmanship.
Firuz Tughlaq collected approximately 1,80,000 slaves.

Cost of Living in the Delhi Sultanate:

Food grains relatively cheap for town residents; Alauddin Khalji's era saw wheat priced at 7 jitals per man.
Estimated monthly living costs during Firuz Tughlaq's reign were five tankas for a family.

Social Structure:

Brahmins maintained high status; Shudras engaged in various occupations but faced social restrictions.
Restrictions on mingling with outcastes like Chandala persisted.

Women's Status in the Delhi Sultanate:

Little change in women's position; early marriage and widowhood practices continued.
Growing practice of purdah among upper-class women for seclusion.

Religion:

Non-Muslims under 'zimmi' status paid 'jizyah' tax; temples sometimes converted during conquests.
Tolerance extended in peaceful times; public Hindu religious practices noted in Sultanate capitals.

State Character of the Delhi Sultanate: Military Rule and Religious Influence

State Character:

Militaristic and aristocratic; Turkish nobles dominated high offices, later broadened under Tughlaqs.
Muslim state structure with emphasis on Sharia law, adapted to local governance needs.

Religious Freedom in the Delhi Sultanate:

Islam was the state religion, but other religions like Hinduism and Buddhism were also present.
Sufi saints and Bhakti movement contributed to the spiritual and cultural life.

SPOTLIGHT

Miscellaneous

Ancient indian history

Art and culture

Geography studento

Medieval indian history

Modern indian history

Spiritual mysticism

World history