UGC-NET- POLITICAL SCIENCE

Zia-ud-Din Barani: A Voice from the Delhi Sultanate

Explore the influential ideas of Zia-ud-Din Barani, a pivotal historian and political theorist from medieval India, whose writings shaped our understanding of the Delhi Sultanate.

Who Was Zia-ud-Din Barani?

• A 13th–14th century Islamic scholar, political theorist, and historian in the Delhi Sultanate.
• Served during the reigns of Muhammad bin Tughlaq and Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
• Used the "nasihat" style (didactic/advisory tone) in his writings—he wasn't just narrating events; he was preaching principles.

Major Works

• Primary:
  • Fatawa-i-Jahandari – Magnum opus on political theory, akin to Kautilya’s Arthashastra or Machiavelli’s The Prince.
  • Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi – A historical chronicle from Balban to early Firoz Tughlaq’s reign.
• Other Literary Works Include:

  Salvat-i-Kabir, Sana-i-Muhammadi, Hasratnama, Tarikh-i-Barmaki, Inayat Nama-i-Ilahi, Maasir Saadat, Lubbatul Tarikh, Fatawa-i-Dindari – covering religious, moral, and administrative themes.

Barani’s Political Thought

Theory of Kingship

• Advocated for Divine Right Theory: Sultan is God’s agent on Earth.
• Sultan must be:
  • Noble-born
  • Just and wise
  • Balanced in personal and public life
  • Avoid five vices: falsehood, instability, deception, anger, injustice
  • Must enforce Shariah in public, even if lax privately.

On Nobility

• Nobles were core to Sultanate's success—they held iqtas (land grants).
• Nobles = Iqtadaars: taxed, ruled land, raised troops.
• Not hereditary; constantly transferred to prevent feudalism.
• Selection criteria:
  • Noble birth
  • Loyalty
  • Nine qualities like fear of God, practical governance skills, historical awareness, and moral integrity.

Ideal Polity

Law: Dual System

• **Shariat** = Islamic law
• **Zawabit** = State law
  • Must not contradict Shariat
  • Should boost loyalty to Sultan
  • Rooted in religious spirit
  • If contradictory, should be compensated by charity

Army

• Post-Mauryan largest empire, so big army essential.
• Inspired by Turko-Mongol system:
  • Divisions: Infantry, Cavalry, Elephants, Auxiliaries
  • Types of cavalry: Mumattab, Sawar, Do-Aspab
  • Ranks: Khan, Malik, Amir, Sipahsalar
  • Paid in cash or land revenues
• Qalb: Sultan’s personal guard
• Security + Expansion = twin goals

Bureaucracy

• 3-tier system: Centre → Province → Village
• Key Departments:
  • Diwani-i-Wazarat – led by Wazir (like PM)
  • Provincial heads: Muqtis/Walis
  • Village heads: Muqaddam, Chaudhary
• A team of revenue assessors, scribes, and inspectors ensured fiscal discipline.

On Justice

• Justice = Lifeblood of governance
• Price regulation, fair trade = essential
• Diwan-i-Riyasat & Shahana-i-Mandi to manage markets
• Legal system had civil & criminal branches
• Key Judicial Figures:
  • Qazi-ul-Quzat: Chief Judge
  • Sadr-us-Sadur: Religious judge
  • Amir-i-Dad: Judicial officers
  • Muhtasibs: Market inspectors/moral police
• Sultan = Supreme Court of Appeal
• Assisted by Mufti (in religious) and Qazi-ul-Quzat (in secular)

Barani's detailed accounts and strong political views offer invaluable insights into the intricacies of governance and power dynamics in the Delhi Sultanate. A must-read for history and political science enthusiasts!