​Consider the following statements:
1. Alauddin Khilji instituted the 'Daag' system of branding horses to prevent fraud in the cavalry.
2. Muhammad bin Tughlaq is known for his transfer of the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad.
3. The Iqta system was abolished by Balban to strengthen central control.
Which of the statements above is/are correct?​

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

• Alauddin Khilji introduced several military and administrative reforms.
  One of his key military reforms was the 'Daag' (branding of horses) and 'Chehra' (descriptive roll of soldiers) to ensure that only genuine and approved horses and soldiers were maintained by the army commanders and to prevent false muster rolls and fraud.
• In a controversial decision, Muhammad bin Tughlaq shifted the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (in present-day Maharashtra) around 1327 AD.
  He believed this move would help administrate the Deccan region more effectively and safeguard the empire.
  However, it led to hardships for the population, and the decision had to be reversed later.
• The Iqta system, which was a land grant system where revenues from lands were assigned to military officers or nobles in exchange for service, was not abolished by Balban.
  In fact, the system continued under the Delhi Sultanate, and even later under the Mughals in different forms.
  Balban strengthened the monarchy and centralized administration, but he did not abolish the Iqta system.

Information Booster:

Alauddin Khilji’s Market Reforms (for army maintenance & price control)

• Purpose: Maintain a large army by controlling the prices of essential goods.

Three Main Markets in Delhi:

1. Grain Market (Mandi)
2. Cloth Market (Sarai Adl)
3. Market for Horses, Slaves & Cattle

Key Measures & Administration:

• Price Control: Prices of essential goods fixed & strictly enforced.
• Market Supervision:
• Shahna-i-Mandi: Market Superintendent
• Barid & Munhiyans: Intelligence officers and secret spies for daily reports.
• Diwan-i-Riyasat:
• A department to regulate trade
• Led by Naib-i-Riyasat
• All merchants were registered
• Horse Trade Control:
• Dalals (brokers) banned from purchasing horses to prevent price hikes.

Iqta System:

• Introduced by: Iltutmish and continued by successors.
• Nobles were granted revenue rights in exchange for military or administrative services.

Additional Knowledge:

·       Balban is best known for his theory of kingship (Zil-i-Ilahi – Shadow of God) and maintaining a strong centralized government, not for abolishing the iqta system.

Emergence of the Delhi Sultanate (1200–1526 AD)

• Period: ~300 years (1200 AD – 1526 AD)
• Region: Major parts of North India
• Rulers: Called Sultans, of Turkish and Afghan origin
• Main Event: Prithvi Raj Chauhan was defeated by Muhammad Ghori in the Battle of Tarain 1192, paving the way for Muslim rule.

Five Dynasties of Delhi Sultanate:

1. Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty – 1206–1290
2. Khilji Dynasty – 1290–1320
3. Tughlaq Dynasty – 1320–1412
4. Sayyid Dynasty – 1412–1451
5. Lodi Dynasty – 1451–1526