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U.P.P.C.S. Mains 2017

Sultanate Economic Experiments

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

During Sultanate period, 'Diwan-i-Amir-Kohi' was related with which of the following?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept Muhammad bin Tughluq sought to resolve the financial distress of the state by increasing agricultural output. He created a specialized ministry to oversee land development.

Explanation Satish Chandra notes that the *Diwan-i-Amir-Kohi
was established to bring more land under cultivation in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab through state-led crop rotation and loans (Sondhar).

Logical Breakup
Logic 1: The department was headed by an official called the 'Amir-i-Kohi'.
Logic 2: Its primary goal was to provide peasants with 'Sondhar' (agricultural loans) for buying seeds and digging wells to enhance production.

Active Recall

Question

Why did the agricultural reforms of MBT fail?

Answer

Failure was due to corruption among officials, poor quality land chosen for experiments, and the timing of a severe famine in the Doab.

Core Insight

The Diwan-i-Amir-Kohi was the first attempt by any Sultan to directly intervene in agricultural techniques at the state level.

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