Socio-cultural Impact of the Delhi Sultanate UPSC Notes

Socio-cultural Impact of the Delhi Sultanate

The Delhi sultanate introduced Persian art, architecture, and language, fostering a blend of Indian and Islamic cultures. It led to grow the Indo-Islamic art and the spread of Islam in India.

Economy of Delhi Sultanate

Agriculture

• North part of the empire produced Wheat, Oilseed East and south had rice and sugarcane.
• Two crops per year could be produced as the soil was fertile. Rice was grown three times a year. Other crops grown were Sesame, Indigo and Cotton.
• Reforms under Muhammad-Bin-Tughlaq (1325-1351)

1. 1. Increased the land revenue of the Doab region, due to which the peasants started abandoning their lands.
   2. Introduced Takkavi Loans to farmers to arrest the abandonment due to high rates of rent (Kharaj). However, this led to a debt trap for farmers, due to which Firoz Shah had to write off these loans.
   3. Established a separate agricultural department Diwan-i-Kohi.

Industry

• Village industries consisted of oil pressing, making of Jaggery, weaving and dyeing of cloth, etc.
• New techniques/crafts introduced by Turks –
  1. Paper-making industry.
  2. Introduction of spinning wheel and cotton carder’s bow (Dhunia).