Delhi SultanateDelhi Sultanate

Detailed breakdown of central and provincial administrative offices, vital for AHC RO/ARO matching questions.

• Diwan-i-Wizarat: The department of finance headed by the Wazir, responsible for revenue collection, state expenditure, and financial management.
• Diwan-i-Arz: The military department established by Balban, headed by the Ariz-i-Mumalik, responsible for maintaining troop rolls and inspections.
• Diwan-i-Riyasat: Market control department instituted by Ala-ud-din Khilji to regulate prices of essential commodities and oversee merchants.
• Iqta System: A revenue-assignment system where territorial units (Iqtas) were granted to nobles (Iqtadars or Muqtis) in lieu of cash salaries.
• Diwan-i-Kohi: Department of agriculture created by Muhammad bin Tughlaq to bring wasteland under cultivation through state-sponsored loans (Taqavi).

Tax structures, monetary reforms, and agrarian policies enforced by various Sultans.

• Kharaj: Land tax levied on non-Muslim peasants, usually fixed at one-third to one-half of the produce.
• Jizya: Religious tax levied on non-Muslim subjects (Zimmis) in exchange for protection and freedom of worship; Firoz Shah Tughlaq levied it on Brahmins too.
• Tanka and Jital: Silver Tanka and copper Jital coins introduced by Iltutmish, establishing a standard currency system for the Delhi Sultanate.
• Measurement of Land: Ala-ud-din Khilji was the first Sultan to measure cultivated land (Biswa as standard unit) and demand revenue directly from cultivators (Kharis).

Indo-Islamic architecture evolution, literary milestones, and patronage of learning.

• Qutb Minar: Started by Qutb-ud-din Aibak in honor of Sufi saint Qutb-ud-din Bakhtiyar Kaki; completed by Iltutmish; top storeys repaired by Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
• Alai Darwaza: Built by Ala-ud-din Khilji at the Qutb complex; considered a jewel of Islamic architecture in India, featuring true arches and red sandstone.
• Tughlaq Architecture Style: Characterized by sloping walls (batter), plain grey stone, and absence of decorative excess, reflecting austerity (e.g., Tughlaqabad Fort).
• Amir Khusrau: Known as 'Parrot of India' (Tuti-i-Hind); adorned the courts of seven Sultans; pioneer of Khayal style and creator of Urdu/Hindi/Persian mixed verse.