[Solved] Sultan Independent of Shariat | Barani's Quote

'When he attained Kingship, he was quite independent of rulers and orders of Shariat.' For which Sultan Barani made this statement?

[46th B.P.S.C. Prelims 2004]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Ziauddin Barani, a conservative historian, was often shocked by Sultans who prioritized political expediency over strict religious law. This quote reflects the secular and autocratic nature of one specific ruler.

Authentic Source Evidence

Barani wrote this about Alauddin Khalji. Alauddin famously told the Qazi Mughisuddin that he did what he considered best for the state and was not concerned whether it was permitted by religious law or not.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Option C is correct. Alauddin was the first Sultan to explicitly separate state policy from the dictates of the Ulema.

Logic 2: He believed that the Sultan's will was the supreme law of the land, especially regarding market control and punishment of corruption.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"How did Alauddin justify his independence from the Shariat?"

He argued that he did not know what was legal or illegal in religious law, but he knew what was beneficial for the people and the stability of the kingdom.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"Alauddin's reign represents the high point of 'Political Realism' in the Delhi Sultanate, where the survival of the state was the ultimate morality."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Ziauddin Barani 4

Analysing authentic 46th B.P.S.C. Prelimsprevious year questions is non-negotiable for serious aspirants. Thoroughly decoding past exam trends related to Sultanate Autocracy helps you understand the examiner's mindset. Mastering specific entities like Alauddin Khalji Shariat and Ziauddin Barani quote builds the analytical intuition needed to clear the exam. Practice Previous Year Questions here →