Question

Market control had been introduced in Medieval India by _____________.
A) Iltutmish
B) Ghiyasudin Balban
C) Alauddin Khalji
D) Firuz Shah Tughluq

Answer 1

Hint: He was the second sultan, and also the most powerful king of the Khilji dynasty.
He ruled for about twenty years, from 1296 to 1316.

Complete answer:
Now let us look into the given options:
Option (A) Iltutmish - is known for introducing the silver tanka and copper jitals which were the two basic coins used during the Delhi Sultanate period. Hence, it is the wrong option.
Option (B) Ghiyasudin Balban - is known to have introduced a rigorous court discipline and new customs like prostration and kissing of the Sultan’s feet. Thus, this option is incorrect.
Option (C) Alauddin Khalji - he is known to have introduced Market control in Medieval India.
Alauddin Khalji’s market reforms were aimed more towards administrative and military necessities than internal reorganization. He established three markets at Delhi, first for food-grains, the second one for cloth and expensive items such as sugar, ghee, oil, dry fruits etc., and the third for horses, slaves and cattle. Detailed regulations (Zawabit) were planned to control and administer all these markets.
He issued a set of seven regulations which were referred to as “Market control measures”. These measures were enacted to manage the trading activities by which grains were brought to Delhi. The Sultan had fixed the costs of all the commodities. Market controllers (Shahna -i-mandi), intelligence officers (Braids), and secret spices (Munhiyan) were designated.
Option (D) Firuz Shah Tughlaq - is known for bringing an end to all unlawful and unjust taxes that were levied by his officials from his people. Therefore, this option is also wrong.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C. Alauddin Khalji

Note: Alauddin also introduced a “rationing system” during times of scarcity. Each grocer was given a number of grains from the government stores keeping in mind the population of the ward. No individual was allowed to buy more than half a man at one time, but this rule was not applicable to the nobles.