for what reason was the Delhi sultanate dependent on the garrison towns
Answers
Answer:
A garrison town is a fortified settlement with soldiers. The Sultans seldom controlled the hinterland of the cities and hence were dependent on trade, tribute and plunder for supplies. Rebellion, war and bad weather would snap the fragile communication routes.
Answer:
A garrison town is a fortified settlement with soldiers. The Sultans seldom controlled the hinterland of the cities and hence were dependent on trade, tribute and plunder for supplies. Rebellion, war and bad weather would snap the fragile communication routes.
Rebellion, war and bad weather would snap the fragile communication routes. Consequently, it was very difficult to control garrison towns in Bengal and Sindh from Delhi. The attacks by Mongols of Afghanistan and the governors who rebelled at the slightest sign of weakness of the Sultan were a challenge for the sultans. The Sultanate hardly survived these challenges.
The main expansion of the Sultanate took place during the reigns of Ghiyasuddin Balban, Alauddin Khalji and Muhammad Tughluq. The campaigns of expansion were along the internal frontier and external frontier.
Campaigns along the internal frontier: These aimed at consolidating the garrison towns of hinterlands. These included clearing of forests in the Ganga-Yamuna doab and expulsion of hunter-gatherers and pastoralists from their habitats. These lands were given to peasants to encouraging agriculture. The trade routes were protected and regional trade was promoted by establishing new fortresses and towns.
Campaigns along the external frontier: Military expeditions into southern India that started during the reign of Alauddin Khalji culminated during the reign of Muhammad Tughluq. In their campaigns; elephants, horses and slaves were captured and precious metals were plundered by the Sultanate armies.
The armies of the Delhi Sultanate had conquered a large part of the subcontinent by the end of Muhammad Tughluq’s reign. They succeeded in defeating their rivals and seizing many cities. The sultanate collected taxes from the peasantry and also dispensed justice in its realm.