Question

Which one of the following statements are true regarding Muhammad Bin Tughlaq?
1. He introduced measures to regulate markets.
2. He introduced monetary reforms.
3. He increased the taxes paid by the people of the doab region.
4. He invited leaders of different faiths for religious discussions.
A. 1 and 2
B. 2 and 3
C. 3 and 4
D. 1, 2 and 4

Answer 1

Hint: Muhammad Bin Tughlaq was the second ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty under the Delhi Sultanate. He introduced few pioneering administrative reforms with few even leading to several revolts and local agitations.

Complete answer: Muhammad Bin Tughlaq ruled from 1325 till his death in 1351. Among his ambitious projects, the first was a taxation experiment in the doab region through increasing tax rate and bringing in additional cess. The tax in the new case was not to be dependent on produce but rather to remain fixed irrespective.
Second was a monetary experiment with the introduction of new bronze coins with an equivalent value to existing silver coins. This eventually resulted in people minting their own coins and exchanging bronze for silver leading to devaluation.
Third experiment was regarding the shifting of capital from Delhi to Daulatabad in order to conquer southern India, but eventually led to losing control over Delhi itself.
Muhammad Bin Tughlaq did try to fix food prices, but no major attempts were taken at regularization of market. Rather efforts were made regarding this by Alauddin Khilji who divided the market separately for food grains, cloths and last for horses, slaves & cattles. All merchants and prices were registered under the office of Shahna. He encouraged the concept of bringing all goods for sale in an open market.

Hence, option B is the correct answer.

Note: Muhammad Bin Tughlaq also aspired to be a universal conqueror and therefore commissioned expeditions to Khurasan and Iraq, but it got cancelled, eventually. He also launched expeditions towards the Himalayas against tribes and Chinese incursions but was defeated badly. These all experiments finally led to about 36 revolts during his reign.