Q. Alauddin Khalji’s Market Control Policy and Land Revenue Administration were intended to achieve which of the following objectives?
1.To sustain a very large, professional standing army by fixing the prices of essential commodities.
2.To eliminate the power of the local chieftains and hereditary revenue officials (Khuts and Muqaddams).
3.To collect the land revenue directly from the cultivator based on measurement of the land, known as Masahat.
Select the correct code:
Answer: D
Notes:
Explanation:
- Statement 1: Correct. He implemented “stringent market regulations and price controls… to sustain his large army.” Lower prices meant the army could be paid a fixed, lower salary in cash without causing financial strain to the soldiers.
- Statement 2: Correct. Alauddin systematically curtailed the privileges and power of local landed intermediaries (Khuts and Muqaddams) to prevent them from becoming rebellious.
- Statement 3: Correct. Alauddin introduced the Masahat system, where land was measured and the revenue demand was fixed based on the estimated yield per unit of land. This shifted the burden of assessment to the state and ensured a fixed share for the Sultan.
