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Tughlaq Dynasty
The Tughlaq dynasty was a Turko-Indian dynasty, which ruled Delhi during the Sultanate period. The Tughlaqs provided three important rulers: Ghiyath-ud-din Tughlaq, Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq and Firuz Shah Tughlaq. Reign of the dynasty started in 1321 when Ghazi Malik assumed the throne of Delhi under the title of Ghiyath-ud-din Tughlaq. After stabilizing his decree in the capital with the help of Khilji nobles who sided with him, he expanded his rule to other parts of India. He launched operations against the Hindu kingdoms of Deogir, Arangal and Triang. He also tried his luck in Bengal. He along with his favorite son Mahmud Khan was killed in an accident when the stage which was built to give them a reception after their victory, collapsed. Many perceive this event as a sabotage, and blame his eldest son Ulugh Khan for the construction of a huge wooden structure without proper foundations. After his death Ulugh Khan became sultan and assumed the title of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq. He ruled India for the next twenty six years. He was known for his adventurous projects. Many believe that he was born ahead of his time as most of his ventures were based on innovative ideas but because of the non-cooperation of people they failed to deliver. Some of his important ventures were the change of capital from Delhi to Daultabad, introduction of token currency, invasions on Khurasan and some part of China, etc. During his tenure the state revenue had a nose dive. He was succeeded by his nephew Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1351, whose successful reign continued for the next thirty seven years. He not only dismissed but also executed most of the nobles who were close to his predecessor. He is known is history for his administrative and economic reforms. After his death in 1388, the dynasty failed to produce any competent ruler. His favorite grandson, whom he had trained as his successor, died during his lifetime. Civil war started even during the last years of Feroz Shah’s life and continued during the regimes of successors Ghiyath-ud-din Tughluq Shah, Abu Bakr Shah, Muhammad Shah, Mahmud Tughlaq and Nusrat Shah. The dynasty’s rule reached its lowest ebb during Amir Taimur’s invasion of 1398. Yet the ultimate collapse of the dynasty came in 1413, when Khizar Khan, the former governor of Multan, became the Sultan of Delhi and started the era of Sayyid Dynasty.