TAXATION
The new system of taxation was based on Quran. Four kinds of taxes sanctioned by the Quran were imposed namely kharaj, zakat, jeziah and khums.
TYPES OF TAXES
Zakat To be paid by well to do Muslims for helping the needy religious tax.
Jeziah Tax levied on non-Muslims in return of which they received protection of life and property and exemption from military services.
Kharaj Land tax paid mainly by Hindus which was equal to 1/10th of the produce of land.
Khums It was 1/6th of the booty captured during war.
Abwabs Excess taxes like house tax, grazing tax etc.
Sharab Irrigation tax.
Ashraf 1/10th of the gross produce on land held by Muslims.
TYPES OF LAND
- Khalisa (Crown Land) It was directly administered by the Central Government. Doab region brought under this.
- Inam or Waqf It was the land given to the people especially to the Muslim saints and scholars, in gift or charity.
- Lands of Feudatory Hindu Chiefs From such lands, the Sultan got annual fixed tributes.
- Iqta It is that part of land granted by the Sultan to its military chiefs for the maintenance of a given number of troopers. The land was normally taken back, when the Iqtadars were not in a position to maintain the army.
- Monetary System There was a scarcity of silver during the Sultanate period, hence silver-mixed copper coins were introduced. The coins depicting images of Goddess Lakshmi, ox, horsemen and of the Sultan in Nagari script were called Delhiwala coins. Barani mentions two new coins Dang and Dirham, which were also in circulation.
TRADE AND INDUSTRY
With the consolidation of the Delhi Sultanate, the improvement of communication and the establishment of a sound currency system. there was a definite growth of trade in the country. During this period. fine Indian textiles were introduced to China as well, where it was valued more than silk. The turks introduced new crafts and techniques. There was the use of iron stirrup and a large scale use of armour, which led to the growth of the metallurgical industry and metal crafts. The other metal crafts which showed an improvement included paper making, glass making, the spinning wheel and an improved loom for weaving. Araghatta was an important feature which was a waterwheel used in the irrigation of land.
SOCIAL LIFE
During the Sultnate period, the Muslim society remained divided into several ethnic and racial groups. These was little change in the structure of the Hindu society during this period. Following were important features of the society
CLASS BASED DIVISIONS
Nobles and other rich people had a very prosperous life and had little contacts with the commons. Nobles held various titles like Amir, Khan, Malik etc which indicated various things about them. The Hindu society was divided into four castes. The coming of Muslims and their constant condemnation of the caste system made the system more rigid. The Hindu society, in order to strengthen itself, recasted the smritis and tried to bring back from the Islamic fold those Muslims who were converted from Hinduism.
POSITION OF WOMEN
The Hindu women were given an inferior position in the society and their educational development was prevented since the Gupta age. Their condition deteriorated and they became victims of many social evils such as sati, jauhar etc.
DOWRY SYSTEM
The introduction of the Dowry system in the name of Stridhana, further depreciated the position of women in the household. The position of Muslim women though, not very much different, was yet better. She had the privilege to education and could remarry.
SLAVERY SYSTEM
It was a common practice among the Sultans and the nobles to maintain a large contingency of slaves, both males and females. The prisoners of wars were generally the main constituents of this system. They were supposed to perform every task free of cost but they were not subject to torture.
DRESS, FOOD AND MANNERS
Achkan and salwar were introduced in Northern India under the Muslim influence. The high class women’s dress was copied by almost in all society. The food and social manners and the ceremonies were copied. The vices of gambling and drinking, which were prevalent among the Muslims of the age, were also adopted by the Hindus. The Muslims took to Indian spices and eventually some deeply ingrained Hindu customs.