Summary on the Military reforms under Delhi Sultanate

The Sultans of Delhi Sultanate were a perfect autocrat and their real source of authority was military strength. The standing army of the Sultanate consisted of the royal bodyguard and the troops of the capital. The contingents of the nobles, the walis and the iqtedars. Here, we are giving a complete summary of the Military reforms under the Delhi Sultanate for the aspirants of different competitive exams.

Summary on the Military reforms under Delhi Sultanate

The Sultans were commander of forces, chief lawgiver and the final of the court of appeal. The titles of Amirs, Khan and Malik were a military gradation. Men of different nationalities were enlisted in the army. The army consists of infantry, cavalry and elephant corps. A sort of mechanical artillery, consisting of various crude machines like manjaniqs, mangos was used.

Iltutmish

1. Army was centrally recruited, paid and administered

Balban

1. Adopted two pronged strategies against the Mongols. Firstly, he exchanged embassies by the Mongol courts. Secondly, he created two defense lines. The first across the region of Lahore, Multan and Dipalpur under Prince Muhammad. The second line was laid in Sunam, Samana and Bhatinda under his youngest son, Prince Buhgra Khan.

2. He reorganised the central military department i.e. Diwan-i-Arz in order to strengthen the monarchy.

3. Increased the power and prestige of Ariz-i-Mamalik.

Architectural Development during Delhi Sultanate Era

Alauddin Khilji

1. First sultan to introduced cash payment to soldiers.

2. Direct recruitment of the soldiers by Arz-i-Mamalik and maintenance of records of army recruits.

3. Introduced the concept of Daag (branding of the horses) and Huliya or Chehra (descriptive rolls of soldiers) system.

4. Introduced three grades of soldiers: Foot soldiers; Soldiers with one horse (ek-aspa); Soldiers with two horses (do-aspa).

List of Administrative and Agrarian Terms used in Sultanate Period

Firoz Shah Tughlaq

1. Granted hereditary assignments of land to soldiers (the system ruins the army). Ranks were made hereditary.

List of the Military reforms by Sultans of Delhi

In the above summary of Military reforms under Delhi Sultanate envisages the real power of Sultan vested under standing army and they were arbitrator and articulator of the state.

Summary on Ilbary Dynasty of Delhi Sultanate