Market control under Alauddin Khilji aimed mainly to ________.

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) check price inflation for army provisions
Explanation:
· Alauddin Khilji introduced strict market reforms to control prices of essential commodities.
· His primary motive was to ensure stable and affordable supplies for his large standing army.
· Price ceilings were fixed for grains, cloth, cattle, and other essential items.
· He appointed market superintendents (shahana-i-mandi) to prevent black marketing and hoarding.
· These controls helped maintain regular provisioning of the army without excessive expenditure.
Information Booster:
· Alauddin established three major markets in Delhi: for grains, cloth, horses/slaves/cattle.
· The reforms were documented in Barani’s Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi.
Additional Knowledge:
(a) Patronise artisan guilds
· Guild support was not the focus of Khilji’s reforms.
· His policy aimed at state control, not artisan welfare.
(b) Encourage foreign trade
· Khilji’s reforms did not promote foreign trade; rather, they emphasised regulation and internal stability.
(c) Promote luxury crafts and goods
· Luxury goods were not prioritised, as his focus was on basic necessities for the army, not elite consumption.