What was the purpose of 'Sondhar' loans?

They were state-provided loans given to farmers to purchase seeds, equipment, and to dig wells, facilitating a shift to more profitable crops.

Agricultural Innovations in the Sultanate

UPSC Archival Analysis

Q: Which Sultan of Delhi had established a separate Agriculture Department and had planned the 'rotation of crops'?

Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq established the 'Diwan-i-Amir-Kohi' agriculture department and introduced scientific methods like crop rotation to boost production.

Exam Year

2008

Evidence Source

UPSC Level

ID: HIS_MED_2008_126 Ref: Standard Educational Reference