Question

Why did Alauddin control the prices of goods in Delhi? What did he do for this?

Answer 1

Hint: In contrast to popular belief, Barani claims that Alauddin (a Muslim) instituted these reforms in order to maintain an unprecedentedly huge army and conquer his Hindu followers. The Mongol invasion of Delhi in 1303 motivated Alauddin to organise a huge army to counter the Mongol menace, according to Barani.

Complete answer:
Alauddin placed a high value on his warriors because they were the only ones who could protect the Sultanate from intruders. Instead of iqtas, he opted to pay the salary in cash. The soldiers would purchase their supplies from Delhi merchants, and it was believed that merchants would raise their prices as a result. To prevent this, Alauddin kept a tight grip on the cost of products in Delhi. As a result, Alauddin directed officers to conduct a thorough price survey. Merchants who failed to sell their goods at the agreed-upon prices were fined.

According to Alauddin's courtier Amir Khusrau, Alauddin's goal was to benefit the general populace. The main source of knowledge regarding the reforms, Ziauddin Barani (c. 1357), claims that the Sultan's goal was to enslave the Hindus and maintain an unprecedentedly huge army (the low prices would make low salaries acceptable for the soldiers). Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah, Alauddin's son, overturned the reforms immediately after his father's death.

Note: In his Khazainul Futuh (1311), Alauddin's courtier Amir Khusrau claims that Alauddin cut and regulated prices because he had "great respect for general prosperity and abundance, and for the happiness and comfort of the selection as well as the commons." According to a subsequent tale, Alauddin conducted his pricing control tactics for the citizens' benefit.