Bhansali has demonized Alauddin Khilji not mythical Padmavati
Khilji was the first ruler of Indo-Pak subcontinent who introduced price control system.
(Web Desk)- Startlingly, Hindu right-wings have staunchly opposed release of Bhansali’s epic period drama Padmavati citing issues like distortion of history to show queen in poor light.
Going one step further, some extremist leaders including those of Karni Sena have issued death threats to makers of the movie and actors.
While widespread protests and consequent threats continue to dominate headlines in India, it is necessary to visit the books of history to explore real-life events of Delhi Sultnate Khilji.
From trailer, wicked Khilji looks like a wildling [free folks in Game of Thrones who wreak havoc for food and land] whose only purpose is to sabotage empires for his personal interests. Contrary to that, history remembers the nephew and son-in-law of Jalaluddin Khilji, the founder of the Khilji dynasty, Alauddin Khilji (1296-1316) as great reformer.
Khilji was the first ruler in Indo-Pak subcontinent who introduced price control system in systematic manner. Paradoxically, Khilji’s portray as reformer has been erected by a Hindu Historian Satish Chandra in his book Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals-Delhi Sultanat (1206-1526).
Below are Khilji’s few dominant market and economic reforms.
Agri market reforms: Khilji regulated agricultural market in the area extending from Dipalpur and Lahore to Kara near modern-day Allahabad. All the land in between was brought under Khalisa and the land revenue was fixed at half the production value and measurement of the land.
Multiple market structure: Alauddin Khilji was first to set up three markets in Delhi – one for food grains, another for cloth and expensive items like sugar, ghee, oil and dry fruits etc, and a third one for horses, slaves and cattle.
Stern punishment on hoarding: Khilji was first ruler in India who set up royal stores in Delhi to address the issue of shortage of foods and to curb practice of hoarding. Stern punishments were given on artificial shortage and price hikes.
