[Solved] First Sultan to Dig Canals | Ghiyasuddin Tughluq

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

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

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

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.

Authentic Source Evidence

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.

Analytical Breakdown

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.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

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

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

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

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

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Ghalla-Bakhshi 2 Firuz Shah Tughluq 5

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