Question

Who among the following introduced the concept of token currency Cree in which coins of brass and copper were issued, whose value was equal to that of gold and silver?
1. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
2. Akbar
3. Nadir Shah
4. Shahjahan

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Muhammad bin Tughlaq

The correct answer is Muhammad bin Tughlaq.

•  Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325-1351):
  • Muhammad bin Tughlaq was the most learned Sultan of Delhi, but he lacked practical judgment.
  • He created the department of agriculture which was called Diwan-i-Kohi.
  • He is known for his experiments which failed miserably. They are:
    • Transfer of capital from Delhi to Devagiri (in 1326-27) which was renamed as Daulatabad.
    • Introduction of token currency in 1329-30.
    • Enhancement of land revenue in the doab region up to 50% of the produce.
  • Muhammad bin Tughlaq issued the maximum number of coins among the Delhi Sultans. Hence, he has been called a prince of moneyers.
  • After he moved his capital to Daulatabad, in 1329, Tughlaq introduced representative or token money.
  • These were coins of copper and brass that could be exchanged for fixed amounts of gold and silver from the Delhi Sultanate.

• Akbar:
  • ​Dahsala system or Zabti System was introduced by Akbar as a system of revenue assessment, in which the revenue collected from the peasants would be the average of last 10 years.
  • He abolished the Jizya and pilgrimage tax and forceful conversions of prisoners of wars.
  • To curb the dominance of the Muslim Ulemas, he introduced the new Khutba, written by Faizi.
    • He declared himself as the Mujtahid Imam-i-Adil (the Final interpreter of Islamic laws).
    • The new Khutba made him Amir-ul-Momin (Leader of the faithful) and Amir-i-Adil (Only a ruler).
  • He built Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri to discuss religious matters.
• Nadir Shah:​
  • He was born on 22 October 1688, Dargaz, Iran.
  • He was one of the most powerful Iranian rulers in the history of the Nation.
  • In 1738-39, Nadir Shah descended upon the plains of Northern India.
  • He was attracted to India by the fabulous wealth for which it was always famous.
  • He marched on to Delhi and Emperor Muhammad Shah was taken as prisoner.
  • Nadir Shah also carried away the famous Koh-i-nur diamond and the Jewelstudded Peacock Throne of Shahjahan.
  • The greedy invader Nadir Shah took possession of the royal treasury and other royal property and plundered Delhi.
  • He compelled Muhammad Shah to cede to him all the provinces of the Empire falling west of the river Indus.
• Shahjahan:​
  • Shah Jahan - Shahab-ud-din Muhammad Khurram, better known by his regnal name Shah Jahan.
  • He was the fifth Mughal emperor, who reigned from 1628 to 1658.
  • Before becoming king, as a prince, he had been the governor of the Deccan, Bihar, Bengal, Gujarat, and Delhi.
  • His reign ushered in the golden age of Mughal architecture.
  • Shah Jahan commissioned many monuments, the best known of which is the Taj Mahal in Agra, which entombs his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
  • Important Monuments Built By Shah Jahan Other than Taj Mahal are Red Fort or Lal Quila, Jama Masjid (Delhi), Agra Fort, Jama Masjid in Agra, the Rang Mahal or Palace of Colour, and Moti Masjid.