Question

How did the Khiljis and Tughluqs help the people of humble birth? How did it lead to political instability?

Answer 1

Hint: The Khiljis and Tughluqs were emperors mainly powered in the Delhi Sultanate and shared a Turk-Afghan origin. These consisted of the Muslim emperors and had a great effect on the administration of the country. The line of emperors from Humayun to Aurangazeb to other smaller rulers who came later is all part of these both dynasties.

Complete answer:
Humble birth was a concept in Mughal Society where people who were not born in noble families or are poor were being appointed as governors and high political positions as they were talented. Many people constituted in these high positions were often slaves or clients of the emperors and were trust-worthy to them. These slaves and clients had to administer their command among other governors and they found it very difficult to do so as governors refused to listen or co-operate with them. There was a wide sense of political instability as when the emperor was changed or the next heir was brought on, these people of humble birth in higher positions did not coordinate with new emperors and there was often a conflict in opinions while an important decision was being taken. Each emperor had his own trust-worthy slaves or clients and this led to the older positions being given up, during this period there were wide-protests or grouping taking place in the royal society.

Note: The Khilji dynasty lasted from (1290-1320) and Tughluq dynasty lasted from (1320-1413). Be very careful in analyzing and understanding humble birth as a concept in the Mughal period as humble birth also meant being born as a non-legitimate heir in some societies. The entire cycle of the Mughal Empire has to be studied very carefully as each emperor brought in certain reforms to the administration system.