Delhi Sultanate (Part II: 1320–1526 AD)

Overview

Delhi Sultanate Later Phase	Territorial extent reached maximum under early Tughlaqs, followed by rapid fragmentation and rise of Afghan Lodi dynasty. Marked by controversial experiments of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, welfare-oriented policies of Firoz Shah Tughlaq, and collapse following Babur's invasion in 1526. Institutionalized Diwan system and perfected Indo-Islamic architecture.

1. Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414 AD)

Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (1320–25 AD)	Founded dynasty after killing Khusrau Khan. Built Tughlaqabad Fort in Delhi. Cursed by Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya that fort would remain desolate.
Muhammad bin Tughlaq Projects	Five failed projects: (1) Doab taxation during famine, established Diwan-i-Kohi (Agriculture Dept); (2) Capital shift to Daulatabad; (3) Token copper currency (forgery failure); (4) Khurasan expedition (abandoned); (5) Qarachil Himalayan expedition.
Ibn Battuta Visit	Moroccan traveler visited during MBT's reign, authoring Kitab-ul-Rehla.
Firoz Shah Tughlaq Policies	Appeasement policy making military/admin posts hereditary. Irrigation network with water tax (Haque-i-Sharb). First Sultan to levy Jizya on Brahmins.
Firoz Shah Utility Works	Built hospitals (Dar-ul-Shifa), charity dept (Diwan-i-Khairat), and slave dept (Diwan-i-Bandagan). Brought two Ashokan Pillars (Topra and Meerut) to Delhi.

2. Sayyid & Lodi Dynasties (1414–1526 AD)

Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451)	Founded by Khizr Khan, nominated by Timur following 1398 invasion.
Bahlol Lodi	First Afghan ruler of Delhi; founded Lodi dynasty.
Sikandar Lodi	Founded Agra and made it capital. Introduced Gaz-i-Sikandari (32-digit unit) for land measurement. Destroyed Jwalamukhi temple.
Ibrahim Lodi	Last Sultan of Delhi; defeated by Babur at First Battle of Panipat (1526).

3. Sultanate Central & Local Administration

Diwan-i-Wazarat	Finance and Revenue department (headed by Wazir).
Diwan-i-Arz	Military recruitment and pay department (Ariz-i-Mamalik).
Diwan-i-Insha	Royal correspondence and state records department.
Diwan-i-Risalat	Foreign and religious affairs department.
Administrative Divisions	Iqta (Province under Muqti/Wali) → Shiq (District under Shiqdar) → Pargana (Sub-division under Chaudhary & Amil) → Gram (Village under Muqaddam & Khut).
Barid-i-Mamalik	Head of state intelligence and news network.
Vakil-i-Dar & Amir-i-Hajib	Vakil-i-Dar: Controller of royal household; Amir-i-Hajib: Master of Ceremonies at court.

4. Art, Architecture & Literature

Architectural Features	Introduced Dome, True Arch (voussoired), and concrete/mortar.
Tomb of Balban	First example of a true arch in India.
Lodi Architecture	Introduced Double Dome (e.g., Moth ki Masjid).
Alberuni	Authored Tahqiq-i-Hind (study of India).
Amir Khusrau & Ziauddin Barani	Amir Khusrau authored Laila-Majnu, Tughlaq Nama, Nuh-Siphir. Barani authored Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi. Isami authored Futuh-us-Salatin.

UPSC High-Yield Recall & PYQ Targets

Diwan-i-Kohi	Agriculture department established by Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
Capital Shift	Delhi to Daulatabad (Devagiri) shift is signature event of Tughlaq era under MBT.
Canal System	Firoz Shah Tughlaq renowned for extensive canal network.
Kitab-ul-Rehla	By Ibn Battuta, primary 14th century travelogue source.
Timur Invasion	Timur invaded India in 1398 during Tughlaq reign.
First Battle of Panipat (1526)	Marked end of Delhi Sultanate and foundation of Mughal Empire.

Supplemental Asset Directory

• Tughlaqabad Fort:
• Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq Tomb:
• Daulatabad Fort (Devagiri):
• Firoz Shah Innovations:
• Hissar Fort (Firoz Shah):
• Agra City:
• Lodi Gardens Monuments:
• Sikandar Lodi Double Dome:
• Lodi Tomb Types: