Firoz Shah Tughlaq

Firoz Shah Tughlaq succeeded to the throne of Delhi Sultanate after the death of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq. He ascended the throne but he was neither an able administrator nor a tolerant ruler, neither did he succeed in recovering the lost territories in the Deccan. The capture of Jajnagar, Nagarkot fort and parts of Sindh were some of his successes.

Firoz Shah Tughlaq was born in 1309. He ruled for the period between 1351-1388.

Firoz Shah Tughlaq is remembered in history abolishing about twenty four types of taxes on people. Even land tax was reduced. He only collected four taxes sanctioned in Quran. Trade tariffs we also lowered.

The supports of the nobles were won by giving land grants.

He set up manufacturing centers popularly known as karkhanas, constructed roads and irrigation canals.

He also started a department of charity (Diwan-i-Khairat).

Schools were set up to improve Islamic education. Mosques, palaces, factories, orchards and new cities came up at Jaunpur, Firozpur, Azadpur and Tughlaqpur.

Firoz Shah died on September 20, 1388.

The reforms of Firoz Shah Tughlaq resulted in bringing general peace and prosperity of the people. Elliot and Elphinstone have termed him as the ‘Akbar of the Sultanate’.