Alauddin Khalji’s Revenue Reforms and Military Organisation: Kharaj, Land Measurement, Dagh and Chehra – MCQs

Introduction

Alauddin Khalji (1296–1316 CE) introduced major reforms in the revenue and military administration of the Delhi Sultanate. These measures were closely connected with his objectives of strengthening the central government, financing a large standing army, controlling powerful rural intermediaries and defending the Sultanate against Mongol invasions.

In the Ganga-Yamuna Doab, Alauddin imposed rigorous revenue assessment and attempted to bring village-level intermediaries under closer state control. The land revenue demand is commonly described in historical accounts as reaching one-half of the produce in the directly assessed areas. Additional taxes such as ghari (house tax) and charai (grazing tax) were also imposed.

His military organization included the dagh system of branding horses and the chehra system of maintaining descriptive rolls of soldiers. These measures helped reduce fraud in military recruitment and ensure greater accountability in the Sultan’s army.

20 MCQs with Answers and Explanations

1. Which Delhi Sultanate ruler is most closely associated with major revenue and military reforms based on centralization?

A. Iltutmish
B. Balban
C. Alauddin Khalji
D. Firuz Shah Tughlaq

Correct Answer: C. Alauddin Khalji

Explanation:
Alauddin Khalji (1296–1316 CE) introduced significant reforms in both revenue collection and military organization. His policies were designed to strengthen the central government, increase state resources and maintain a large standing army. Revenue reforms and military reforms therefore formed interconnected parts of his administrative system.

2. Which region received particularly rigorous revenue administration under Alauddin Khalji?

A. Ganga-Yamuna Doab
B. Bengal Delta only
C. Kashmir Valley
D. Malabar Coast

Correct Answer: A. Ganga-Yamuna Doab

Explanation:
Alauddin paid particular attention to the Ganga-Yamuna Doab, the fertile region between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. Its agricultural productivity made it an important source of revenue for the Delhi Sultanate. The state sought direct and systematic assessment of agricultural production in this strategically important region.

3. What was the principal agricultural land tax known as under the Delhi Sultanate?

A. Kharaj
B. Jizya
C. Zakat
D. Khams

Correct Answer: A. Kharaj

Explanation:
Kharaj was a land revenue or agricultural tax imposed on cultivators and agricultural land under the Sultanate’s fiscal system. Under Alauddin, the state’s demand in the directly assessed areas was made particularly heavy. Students should distinguish kharaj from jizya, which was a tax imposed on non-Muslim subjects in specific contexts.

4. What proportion of agricultural produce is commonly associated with Alauddin Khalji’s land revenue demand in the Doab?

A. One-tenth
B. One-fourth
C. One-half
D. Three-fourths

Correct Answer: C. One-half

Explanation:
Medieval chroniclers, particularly Ziauddin Barani, describe Alauddin’s revenue demand in the Doab as approximately one-half of the produce. This was an exceptionally heavy assessment and was intended to increase the resources available to the central government. The exact implementation could vary by area and circumstance, so the figure should be understood in the context of the historical sources.

5. Which tax was associated with houses under Alauddin Khalji’s revenue system?

A. Ghari
B. Charai
C. Jizya
D. Ushr

Correct Answer: A. Ghari

Explanation:
Ghari was a house tax associated with Alauddin Khalji’s taxation measures. It formed part of the additional fiscal burdens imposed alongside agricultural revenue. The term is frequently tested in medieval Indian history examinations.

6. What was the charai tax?

A. A tax on houses
B. A grazing or pasture-related tax
C. A tax on imported horses only
D. A tax on agricultural irrigation

Correct Answer: B. A grazing or pasture-related tax

Explanation:
Charai was associated with a grazing or cattle-related tax. Along with ghari, it represented an additional source of state revenue. Remember the common examination pair: Ghari → house tax; Charai → grazing tax.

7. Which objective was closely connected with Alauddin Khalji’s heavy revenue demand?

A. Weakening the central treasury
B. Financing the large standing army and strengthening the central government
C. Abolishing military expenditure
D. Encouraging complete independence of village chiefs

Correct Answer: B. Financing the large standing army and strengthening the central government

Explanation:
Alauddin faced major military challenges, particularly from the Mongols, while simultaneously pursuing extensive campaigns. Maintaining a large army required substantial financial resources. His revenue policies therefore helped provide the state with the resources necessary for military expenditure and strengthened central control over rural society.

8. Which rural intermediaries did Alauddin seek to reduce or control through his revenue reforms?

A. Khuts, muqaddams and chaudhuris
B. Mansabdars and jagirdars
C. Zamindars of the Mughal period only
D. European merchants

Correct Answer: A. Khuts, muqaddams and chaudhuris

Explanation:
The khuts, muqaddams and chaudhuris were important rural intermediaries and local revenue-related functionaries. Alauddin sought to reduce their economic and political privileges and bring rural revenue collection under closer state supervision. This was part of his broader effort to prevent local elites from accumulating excessive independent power.

9. Why did Alauddin Khalji attempt to weaken the privileges of rural intermediaries?

A. To increase the autonomy of village chiefs
B. To strengthen direct state control over revenue and reduce the independent power of local elites
C. To abolish agriculture
D. To encourage tax evasion

Correct Answer: B. To strengthen direct state control over revenue and reduce the independent power of local elites

Explanation:
Local intermediaries could accumulate wealth and influence through their control over revenue collection. Alauddin’s policy sought to ensure that a greater share of agricultural revenue reached the central government. Reducing the privileges of intermediaries also limited their ability to organize resistance against the Sultanate.

10. Which method was associated with more systematic assessment of agricultural revenue under Alauddin Khalji?

A. Measurement of cultivated land and assessment of produce
B. Complete abolition of revenue assessment
C. Reliance only on foreign merchants
D. Election by village councils

Correct Answer: A. Measurement of cultivated land and assessment of produce

Explanation:
Alauddin’s administration sought a more systematic basis for revenue assessment, including measurement of land and assessment of agricultural production. This helped the state determine its demand more directly instead of depending entirely on the estimates or voluntary declarations of local intermediaries.

11. What was the main purpose of the dagh system in Alauddin Khalji’s army?

A. Registration of soldiers’ families
B. Branding of horses
C. Collection of land revenue
D. Construction of forts

Correct Answer: B. Branding of horses

Explanation:
The dagh system involved the branding of horses used by cavalrymen. Its purpose was to prevent fraud, such as presenting inferior or substitute horses during military inspection. Horse branding allowed the state to identify animals officially registered for military service.

12. What was the chehra system?

A. A descriptive record or identification roll of soldiers
B. A horse-branding system
C. A land measurement unit
D. A market tax

Correct Answer: A. A descriptive record or identification roll of soldiers

Explanation:
The chehra system involved maintaining descriptive rolls of soldiers, recording identifying details so that the state could monitor military personnel. Together, chehra and dagh strengthened military accountability and reduced fraudulent claims about soldiers and horses.

13. Which pair is correctly matched?

A. Dagh — Descriptive roll of soldiers
B. Chehra — Branding of horses
C. Dagh — Branding of horses
D. Ghari — Horse branding

Correct Answer: C. Dagh — Branding of horses

Explanation:
The correct association is:

• Dagh → branding of horses
• Chehra → descriptive roll of soldiers

These reforms are among the most frequently tested aspects of Alauddin Khalji’s military administration.

14. Why did Alauddin Khalji introduce the dagh and chehra systems?

A. To increase military fraud
B. To strengthen supervision and prevent fraudulent claims in the army
C. To abolish cavalry
D. To transfer the army to provincial rulers

Correct Answer: B. To strengthen supervision and prevent fraudulent claims in the army

Explanation:
Maintaining a large army required effective inspection and accountability. The dagh helped ensure that registered cavalry horses were actually presented for service, while chehra helped identify the soldiers on the state’s rolls. Together, these measures reduced opportunities for commanders or soldiers to manipulate military records.

15. Which military requirement made horse regulation particularly important under Alauddin Khalji?

A. The Sultanate depended significantly on cavalry warfare
B. Horses were prohibited from military use
C. The army consisted entirely of infantry
D. The Sultanate had no external enemies

Correct Answer: A. The Sultanate depended significantly on cavalry warfare

Explanation:
Cavalry was essential to the military effectiveness of the Delhi Sultanate. Alauddin faced powerful enemies, including Mongol forces, and conducted campaigns across extensive territories. Ensuring the quality and identification of military horses was therefore crucial to maintaining an effective cavalry force.

16. Which historical source provides important information about Alauddin Khalji’s revenue and military reforms?

A. Ziauddin Barani’s Tarikh-i Firuz Shahi
B. Baburnama
C. Akbarnama
**D. Rajatarangini

Correct Answer: A. Ziauddin Barani’s Tarikh-i Firuz Shahi

Explanation:
Ziauddin Barani’s Tarikh-i Firuz Shahi is a major source for the study of Alauddin Khalji’s administrative policies. Barani discusses taxation, market regulations, military organization and the Sultan’s political objectives. His account is particularly valuable but must be evaluated critically as a historical source.

17. Which statement best explains the connection between Alauddin Khalji’s revenue and military reforms?

A. Revenue reforms reduced the resources available to the army
B. Revenue extraction provided resources for maintaining a large centralized army, while military reforms improved accountability
C. Military reforms abolished taxation
D. The two systems were completely unrelated

Correct Answer: B. Revenue extraction provided resources for maintaining a large centralized army, while military reforms improved accountability

Explanation:
Alauddin’s reforms should be understood as an interconnected fiscal-military system. Higher and more systematic revenue collection strengthened the treasury, while military reforms such as dagh and chehra helped the Sultan maintain a large and more closely supervised army. Both strengthened central authority.

18. Which statement about Alauddin Khalji’s revenue policy is most accurate?

A. It sought to increase direct state control over agricultural revenue
B. It abolished land revenue
C. It made all rural intermediaries completely autonomous
D. It depended entirely on voluntary contributions

Correct Answer: A. It sought to increase direct state control over agricultural revenue

Explanation:
Alauddin sought to make the state more directly involved in revenue assessment and collection. By reducing intermediary privileges and strengthening assessment mechanisms, the administration attempted to ensure that a larger share of agricultural surplus reached the central treasury. This policy also weakened the economic base of potentially rebellious local elites.

19. Which of the following correctly identifies the major components of Alauddin Khalji’s military organization?

A. Dagh, chehra and a large standing army
B. Mansabdari, jagirdari and zat
C. Ryotwari, zamindari and mahalwari
D. Permanent Settlement and Subsidiary Alliance

Correct Answer: A. Dagh, chehra and a large standing army

Explanation:
Alauddin’s military organization included a large standing army, along with systems of horse branding (dagh) and descriptive military rolls (chehra). The other options refer to much later administrative systems, particularly those associated with Mughal or British India, and should not be confused with Alauddin’s reforms.

20. What was the broader significance of Alauddin Khalji’s revenue and military reforms?

A. They strengthened centralized state authority and supported the fiscal and military needs of the Sultanate
B. They weakened the central government permanently
C. They ended the Delhi Sultanate’s military expansion
D. They established British-style administration

Correct Answer: A. They strengthened centralized state authority and supported the fiscal and military needs of the Sultanate

Explanation:
Alauddin’s reforms formed part of a broader effort to build a strong centralized state. Revenue reforms increased the resources available to the treasury, while military reforms improved supervision of soldiers and horses. Together with market regulation and administrative control, these measures helped Alauddin respond to Mongol threats and support his expansionist policies.

Quick Revision Table

Important Administrative Connections

Revenue Reforms

Alauddin → Doab → Land Measurement → Kharaj → Heavy Revenue Demand → Reduced Intermediary Privileges

The objective was to increase the central government’s control over agricultural surplus and weaken the independent economic power of rural elites.

Military Organisation

Large Standing Army → Cash Salaries → Dagh → Horse Identification → Chehra → Soldier Identification

The system helped Alauddin maintain a large and centrally supervised military force.

Fiscal-Military Connection

The revenue system provided resources for the army, while the army protected the Sultanate and supported its territorial expansion. Thus, Alauddin’s revenue, market and military policies should be studied as interconnected components of centralized governance.

Important Chronology

• 1296 CE – Alauddin Khalji became Sultan of Delhi.
• 1296–1316 CE – Alauddin’s reign and major administrative reforms.
• Late 13th–early 14th century – Revenue administration in the Doab was strengthened.
• During Alauddin’s reign – Dagh and chehra became important mechanisms of military supervision.
• 1299–1311 CE – Major military campaigns expanded the Sultanate.
• 1316 CE – Death of Alauddin Khalji.

Targeting Exams

CUET-UG / CUET-PG, UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE), SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, IBPS PO, SBI PO, RRB NTPC, RRB Group D, CDS, NDA & NA, CAPF, APSC CCE, All State Government Exams, Assam Government Grade III & IV, Assam Police Recruitment, CTET, UGC NET

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who introduced major revenue and military reforms in the Khalji period?

Alauddin Khalji introduced the most significant revenue and military reforms of the Khalji period.

2. What was kharaj?

Kharaj was an agricultural or land revenue imposed under the Sultanate’s fiscal system.

3. How much revenue did Alauddin demand from the Doab?

Historical accounts commonly describe the demand as approximately one-half of the produce in the directly assessed areas.

4. What were ghari and charai?

Ghari was a house tax, while charai was a grazing or cattle-related tax.

5. Which rural intermediaries did Alauddin attempt to control?

He sought to reduce the privileges of khuts, muqaddams and chaudhuris and strengthen direct state control over revenue.

6. What was the dagh system?

The dagh system involved the branding of horses to prevent substitution and fraud in the cavalry.

7. What was the chehra system?

The chehra system involved maintaining descriptive records or identification rolls of soldiers.

8. Why did Alauddin need a large standing army?

He needed a powerful army to defend the Sultanate, particularly against Mongol invasions, and to conduct extensive military campaigns.

9. Which source describes Alauddin’s revenue and military policies?

Ziauddin Barani’s Tarikh-i Firuz Shahi is an important source for these reforms.

10. What was the overall purpose of Alauddin’s reforms?

The reforms aimed to strengthen central authority, increase state revenue, maintain a large army and improve administrative and military control.

Key Takeaway for Competitive Exams

Remember these high-value associations:

Kharaj → Land Revenue

Ghari → House Tax

Charai → Grazing Tax

Dagh → Horse Branding

Chehra → Soldier Descriptive Roll

Khuts, Muqaddams & Chaudhuris → Rural Intermediaries

Doab → Rigorous Revenue Assessment

Alauddin Khalji → Centralized Fiscal-Military Administration

These concepts are especially important for questions on the economic, administrative and military organization of the Delhi Sultanate.