Question

How did the territories of Delhi Sultanate expand from garrison town to empire? Explain the first phase of expansion.

Answer 1

Answer:

The expansion of Delhi Sultanate territories from Garrison town to Empire: The rule of Muslims started with Qutubuddin Aibak, the first ruler of the Slave dynasty in 1206. They first controlled the fortified towns and dependant on the surrounding area for supplies of goods.

Answer 2

The campaigns along the “internal frontier” of the Sultanate aimed at consolidating the hinterlands of the  garrison towns. During these campaigns’ forests were cleared in the Ganga-Yamuna doab.

• hunter-gatherers and farmers were removed from their habitat.
• Then these lands were given to peasants and agriculture was encouraged.

The second expansion occurred along the “external frontier” of the Sultanate.

• Military expeditions into southern India started during the reign of Alauddin Khalji.
• It culminated with Muhammad-bin-Tughluq.
• In their campaigns, Sultanate armies captured elephants, horses and slaves and carried away precious  metals.