An in-depth look into the economic and social conditions of medieval India during the Delhi Sultanate, including Ibn Battutah's accounts, trade, rural life, and merchant activities.
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Government, Economic, and Social Life under the Delhi Sultanate
Economic Condition
Overview:
Limited information on the economic condition of people under the Delhi Sultanate.
Historians focused more on court events than ordinary lives.
Prices of commodities sometimes mentioned.
Ibn Battutah's Account
Details:
Visited India in the 14th century and stayed at Muhammad Tughlaq's court for eight years.
Provided detailed accounts of the country's products, roads, and people's lives.
Described crops like rice, sugarcane, wheat, oil-seeds, sesame, indigo, and cotton.
Village industries based on crops included oil pressing, jaggery making, weaving, and dyeing of cloth.
Peasants formed the majority of the population, working hard to eke out subsistence.
Recurring famines and wars added to their hardships.
A more prosperous section of owner cultivators existed, dominating village panchayats.
Village headmen and smaller landlords enjoyed higher standards of life, often misusing their positions.
Alauddin Khalji took action against them, but they continued to live better than ordinary peasants.
Hindu Rajas
Details:
Autonomous rajas continued to hold their previous estates.
Many rajas visited the court of Balban, indicating their ongoing power.
Trade, Industry, and the Merchants
Overview:
Growth of trade marked by town development and sound currency system.
Major cities included Delhi, Daulatabad, Lahore, Multan, Kara, Lakhnauti, Anhilwara, and Cambay.
Bengal and Gujarat famous for fine quality fabrics, with Cambay known for textiles and gold/silver work.
Handicrafts included leather work, metal work, carpet weaving, woodwork, stone-cutting, and paper manufacturing.
Textiles trade established in Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and introduced to China.
India imported high-grade textiles, glassware, horses, raw silk, porcelain, and ivory.
Overland and overseas trade involved Arabs, Tamils, Kalingas, Gujaratis, Marwaris, and Bohras.
Wealthy merchants lived in fine houses with orchards, gardens, and tanks.
Travel was risky but royal roads and sarais ensured comfort and safety.
Muhammad Tughlaq built roads and had efficient postal systems.
Crafts and Techniques
Details:
New crafts and techniques introduced or popularized by Turks.
Metallurgical industry grew with iron stirrup and armor use.
Improvement of the Persian wheel for deeper water lifting.
Crafts included paper-making, glass-making, spinning wheel, improved loom, and superior mortar.
Agricultural growth and craft expansion were key to 14th-century affluence.
Religion
Details:
Religion played a significant role in the social and political life of 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.
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