The Tughlaq Dynasty

Lineage

The Tughlaqs were the third ruling dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, following the Khaljis and preceding the Sayyids. Founded in 1320 by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, the dynasty played a pivotal role in shaping medieval Indian history. Spanning nearly a century, it saw three prominent rulers:

• Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (1320–1325)

• Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325–1351)

• Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351–1388)

  
  

Each ruler established their own capital city: Tughlaqabad, Jahanpanah, and Firozabad, respectively. Among them, Firoz Shah left the most enduring legacy in shaping Delhi’s landscape.

The Builder of Delhi

Firoz Shah Tughlaq is celebrated as a visionary in urban planning and public architecture. His contributions were transformative, especially in water management and the development of infrastructure:

Urban Planning and Waterworks

• Constructed extensive canals to boost agriculture, including renovating old canals and building new ones.

• Notably connected the Yamuna River to arid regions in Haryana and Punjab, enhancing irrigation

  
  

New Cities

Firoz Shah established several cities during his reign, such as:

• Jaunpur (Uttar Pradesh)

• Firozpur (Punjab)

• Hisar (Haryana)

• Fatehabad (Haryana)

  
  

Public Amenities

• Built caravansarais (rest houses), gardens, and madrasas, including the famous Madrasa-e-Feroz-Shahi at Hauz Khas.

• Established hospitals like Dar-ul-Shafa for free medical treatment, promoting Unani medicine.

• Constructed hunting lodges, reflecting his interest in leisure and sports.

Firozabad

Firoz Shah governed from Firozabad, a city that now lies in ruins. Among its historical highlights is the relocation of the Ashokan Pillar, showcasing Firoz Shah’s reverence for ancient Indian heritage.

Today, the site is better known for the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, symbolizing the lasting imprint of his era.

Firoz Shah’s policies, such as hereditary positions in the army, initially earned him popularity as a ruler of the people. However, these same policies sowed seeds of internal conflict, contributing to the eventual decline of the Tughlaq dynasty.