[Solved] Firuz Shah Tughlaq Canal System | UPSC History

The Sultan of Delhi who is reputed to have built the biggest network of canals in India was:

[UPSC CSE Prelims 1998]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Agricultural productivity in Medieval India was limited by water access. Some Sultans recognized that investing in irrigation infrastructure would stabilize revenue and increase cultivation.

Authentic Source Evidence

Firuz Shah Tughlaq is credited with constructing five major canals, most notably from the Sutlej and Yamuna rivers, to irrigate the arid regions of Hissar and Firozabad.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Firuz Shah is often called the 'father of irrigation' in India due to his systematic canal building (Nahr-i-Firuz Shahi).

Logic 2: These canals promoted the cultivation of superior crops like wheat and sugarcane, and the Sultan even introduced a water tax (Haq-i-Sharb) for those using state-provided water.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"What was 'Haq-i-Sharb'?"

It was a water tax equal to 10% of the produce, levied by Firuz Shah Tughlaq on farmers who benefited from state-constructed canals.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"Firuz Shah’s focus on canals was a shift from his predecessors' military expansionism toward a policy of internal development and economic stability."

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