Firoz Shah Tughlaq

Firoz Shah Tughlaq was the third ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty. He started his journey as the ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty after the death of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq. Firoz Shah Tughlaq had a great contribution to Indian history. He ruled over 37 years for the Tughlaq dynasty. He is famous for several architectural shapes that were established in his era.  

Firoz Shah Tughlaq

Firoz Shah Tughlaq was born in 1309. Malik Rajab was the father of Firoz Shah Tughlaq and Bibi Naila was the mother of Firoz Shah Tughlaq. Malik Rajab was the younger brother of Ghazi Malik. Ghazi Malik was known as the Sipahsalar of the Tughlaq dynasty. Firoz Shah Tughlaq was the third ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty. He was chosen as the ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty after the death of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq. He was the cousin of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq. Futuhat-e-Firoz shahi was the auto-biography of Firoz Shah Tughlaq. Firoz Shah Tughlaq founded different cities in India such as Firozpur, Jaunpur, Fatehabad, Fiurozabad, Hissar, etc. The city of Firozabad was known as the glass city of India. It was also known as the city of bangles. 

According to the experts of History, around 1 lakh and eighty thousand slaves were appointed for the services of Firoz Shah Tughlaq. 

Contributions and Acts of Firoz Shah Tughlaq 

Firoz Shah Tughlaq was famous for several architectural shapes and buildings that were structured in his era. He is known as the father of the canal system as he constructed several canals to serve the river water in more places. Qutub Minar was repaired by him after it was demolished in the earthquake. Firoz Shah Tughlaq also worked for the establishment of several schools, hospitals, rest houses, reservoirs, etc. He developed an office for the poor of his empire which was known as the Diwan-i-Khairat. Diwan-i-Bundagan was the department for the slaves that were established by Firoz Shah Tughlaq. Firoz Shah Tughlaq started a tx system only for the brahmins which were known as Jajiya. Darul-Shifa, Bimaristan, Saifa Khana was the name of several hospitals in Delhi. These hospitals were established by Firoz Shah Tughlaq. He constructed canal systems from the Yamuna to Hissar, Sutlej to the Ghaggar, Ghaggar to Firozabad, Mandvi, and Sirmour Hills to Hansi for the water supplies. These canals were known as the Raziwah canal, Ulugh Kahani canal, Firozabad canal, Khakkhara canal, etc. The canal from Sutlej to Hansi was the longest canal (200kms) at that time that was established by Firoz Shah Tughlaq.  

Firoz Shah Tughlaq gave great importance to horticulture to improve the financial condition of the empire. He established more than 1200 fruit gardens to absorb more revenue. Firoz Shah Tughlaq started an irrigation tax which was known as the Haqi-i-Shrub. Firoz Shah Tughlaq was one of the rulers in the Tughlaq dynasty who started the tax system according to Islamic laws. He developed a medical center to provide health services to the people which were known as the Darul Safa. Diwan-i-Khairat was established to help the orphans and the widows of his era. Firoz Shah Tughlaq was the first sultan of India who imposed the irrigation tax. 

Several negative statements can be established against Firoz Shah Tughlaq as he could not tolerate Sufi saints and Shia Muslims. Hindus in his era were treated as the second-grade region. One of the most horrible crimes in his era was the burning of a brahmin for converting from Muslim to Hindu. Malik Makbul was the commander of Firoz Shah Tughlaq. Firoz Shah Tughlaq was highly dependable on his commander. Firoz Shah Tughlaq made a rule to restrict Muslim women from praying at the graves. He forced the Muslim students to become orthodox. Firoz Shah Tughlag stated inheritance to the army of his dynasty. He permitted the officers to rest and sends their children to the army. Firoz Shah Tughlaq also demolished several Hindu temples and several books and articles on Hinduism.       

Tomb of Firoz Shah Tughlaq 

Firoz Shah Tughlaq died on 20 September 1388 in Delhi. The tomb of Firoz Shah Tughlaq is situated in Hauz Khas Complex in New Delhi. The tomb of Firoz Shah Tughlaq was established in 1390. The Tughlaq dynasty became less important after the death of Firoz Shah Tughlak. The Tughlaq dynasty had been destroyed by the invasion of the Timur dynasty in 1398. 

Conclusion

It can be concluded that Firoz Shah Tughlaq was one of the greatest rulers in the Tughlaq dynasty. The death of Firoz Shah Tughlaq can be described as the ending of the Tughlaq dynasty. He was one of the greatest rulers in India based on earning profit from horticulture. His innovations in the canal systems changed the basic concepts in the processes of cultivation. Several dark sides were also made in his rule. Hindu brahmins and Shia Muslims had to tolerate several kinds of disadvantages in terms of religion in his era. It also can be concluded that he was an orthodox ruler.