explain the key features of taxation during the reign of Alladdin Khilaji
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The Delhi Sultanate ruler Alauddin Khalji (r. 1296-1316) implemented a series of major fiscal, land and agrarian reforms in northern India. He re-designated large areas of land as crown territory by confiscating private properties and by annulling land grants. He imposed a 50% kharaj tax on the agricultural produce, and ordered his ministry to collect the revenue directly from the peasants by eliminating the intermediary village chiefs.
Alauddin had faced conspiracies and rebellions by Hindu chiefs in rural areas during his early reign. Besides ensuring sufficient revenues for the royal treasury, the objective of these reforms was to subjugate the powerful chiefs and nobles who could challenge Alauddin's authority. According to chronicler Ziauddin Barani, he also asked his advisers for reforms to subjugate the Hindus whose wealth was a "source of rebellion and disaffection" like the nobility.
Most of Alauddin's reforms were revoked by his son Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah shortly after his death, but a few of them served as a basis for the agrarian reforms introduced by rulers of India in the 16th century.[1]
The key features of taxation during the reign of Alauddin Khilji:
- Alauddin Khilji levied several taxes during his reign, including the Jizya tax, Gharai tax, and Zakat. These taxes brought in a lot of money.
- His property and income reforms are notable for legal provisions, namely the Land Measurement Act and the annulment of little Iqtas.
- He levied extra taxes on Hindus in addition to Jizya and significantly raised their rates. They were now compelled to pay the land revenue equal to 50% of the product.
- The Hindus additionally levied a housing tax.
- Due to the tax burden, the enslaved Hindus had to deal with a variety of problems. They were compelled to give the merchants most of the corn. They were forced to lead a terribly wretched life as a result of the high taxes and the Sultan's stringent policies.
- Jizya is typically imposed as a tax on non-Muslim subjects of an Islamic state known as dhimmis as a means of revenue.