Alauddin Khilji as a stern despot. He ruled over a vast empire. He combined efficiency with sternness. He suppressed rebellions with a strong hand. To prevent future troubles he enacted various laws by which he put a ban on the consumption of wine, prohibited social meetings among the nobility, and even forbade inter-marriage among them without his special permission. He employed a large number of spies who kept him informed of the doings of his subjects. Accordingly he burdened his subjects with heavy taxes. As the Hindus formed the wealthier class, naturally they became the worst victims of the Sultan’s policy.
The Sultan, however, realized the need of keeping an efficient army. This could only be done at heavy expenses. To reduce heavy military expenditure the Sultan fixed a price of every article and attempted to make goods available in cheap rates.
In one respect, however, the administrative system of Alauddin Khilji differed from that of his predecessors. The earlier Muslim rulers carried on their administration in accordance with the Koranic principles and the Ulemas or Muslim divines had a large say in the formulation of policies. But Alauddin did not allow the Ulemas to lay down the principles of administration. As he used to say, “I do not know what is lawful and what is unlawful; whatever I consider to be for the good of my kingdom I do.” These words sum up his attitude towards government and its objects.
Ibn Batuta describes Alauddin Khalji as one of the best Sultans. This observation, however, is not justified either by the manner in which he came to power or by the way in which he carried on the government. But when the vastness of his conquests is taken into consideration, then only perhaps the remark that he was a great Sultan can be justified.