[Solved] What is Diwan-i-Amir-Kohi? | MBT Agriculture

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

[U.P.P.C.S. Mains 2017]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

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.

Authentic Source Evidence

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).

Analytical Breakdown

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.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"Why did the agricultural reforms of MBT fail?"

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

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

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

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Sondhar loans 3Crop rotation 2

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