Nobility under Muhammad Tughlaq

 A crucial time occurred under Muhammad Tughlaq's rule (1325–1351).

 Muhammad Tughlaq's reign was marked by a major crisis: internal conflicts within the Sultanate nobility led to a
series of rebellions in various provinces, which not only ultimately resulted in the fall of large portions of the
Empire but also severely weakened its authority even in nominally under its control.

 Sultan's "punishments," as Barani suggested, were the cause of these crises.

 However, this is inaccurate. The composition of the nobility contributes to the issue.

 Ibn Battuta points to the jealousy between indigenous and foreign nobility.

--- {Ibn Battuta, Rehta, tr. Mehdi Husain (Baroda: Oriental Institute, 1953) :105-6}

 Isami writes about provoking the Muslims by appointing Hindu officers.

--- {Isami, Futuhus – Salatin, Ed. A.S. Usha: (Madras,1948) :515}

 Barani writes with hostility against the appointment of men of low birth.

--- { }

 In addition, he speaks about the intransigence of officers known as Amiran - i - Sada.

 A part of mobility inherited from Khaljis was not loyal to Muhammad Tughlaq and this necessitated the
recruitment of new elements.

 This most probably reflected the promotion of the people already in the service.

 Ahmed Ayaz became principal minister of Muhammad Tughlaq. He was a very good bureaucrat and financier. He
had the title of Khwaja Jahan.

--- {Battuta, Rehta :54}

 Qutlugh Khan who had been a tutor of Sultan Muhammad had been appointed as Viceroy of Deccan.

--- {Barani, Tarikh - i – Firuz Shahi. 479-81}

 Kannu who was captured and became slave of Muhammad Tughlaq soon rose to the position of Deputy Prime
Minister (Naib Wazir) under Sultan Muhammad and became Prime minister in the next reign.

--- {Afif, Tarikh - i – Firuz Shahi (Calcutta, 1890) :479-81}

 Muhammad Tughlaq desired to assign officers under his command who would be reliant on him and have no
independent local base.

 Mohammed Tughlaq hired individuals from groups that had not previously been recruited for nobility, unlike the
Afghans.

Repeated Footnote ⚠️

{Tughlaq denounced men of low birth only in words but appointed many of them.}

 Like Aziz Khummar (Khummar means wine distiller) was the revenue official of Amroha30, then incharge of a shiq
(province) in the Deccan31 and then finally Governor of Dhar (Maleva).32
 --- {30➡️Battuta, Rehta :144 || 31➡️Barani, Tarikh - i – Firuz Shahi :501-2 || 32➡️Barani, Tarikh - i – Firuz
Shahi :479-81 & Isami, Futuhus – Salatin :507}

 Pira Mali “the lowest of the meanest caste of India” was appointed to the head of the Finance Ministry (Diwan - i
- Wizarat).

 There was a Hindu astronomer, Ratan, who was appointed as the governor of Sinwistan.

 Muhammad Tughlaq probably gave bureaucracy a lot of importance, which is why the military leaders'
grievances evolved.

 Aziz Khummar was the chief tax collector (Wahil Kharaj) was the besieged by army commander.

--- {Battuta, Rehta :144-46}

Conclusion:

Though eccentricity may have played a role in Muhammad Tughlaq's program of establishing a diverse nobility, it was
also partially a reaction to a certain amount of alienation that existed between the Sultan and the
established nobility.