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

Tughluq Irrigation Policy

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

With reference to digging canals for enriching agriculture, who among the following is given the credit of being the first ruler of 14th century?

Solution & Analysis

Answer: C

Concept While Firuz Shah Tughluq is famous for the *largest

network of canals, the *initiation* of state-led irrigation in the 14th century is credited to the founder of the Tughluq dynasty.

Explanation

Historical texts indicate that Ghiyasuddin Tughluq (1320–1325) was the first Sultan of the 14th century to systematically promote agricultural welfare by digging canals to supply water from rivers like the Yamuna.

Logical Breakup

Logic 1: Ghiyasuddin Tughluq reversed the harsh revenue policies of Alauddin Khalji and focused on the 'Ghalla-Bakhshi' system and irrigation.

Logic 2: His efforts were the precursor to the massive engineering works later undertaken by his nephew, Firuz Shah Tughluq.

Active Recall

Question

How did Ghiyasuddin's revenue policy differ from Alauddin's?

Answer

He reduced the land revenue demand to one-tenth or one-eleventh and prohibited the practice of torturing officials for revenue collection.

Core Insight

Ghiyasuddin recognized that the state's strength lay in a prosperous peasantry, leading him to prioritize irrigation infrastructure.

With reference to digging canals for enriching agriculture, who among the following is given the credit of being the first ruler of 14th century?

Solution & Analysis

Active Recall

Core Insight

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