Consider the following statements regarding Alauddin Khalji:
1. He set up three distinct markets, one for food grains, one for cloth, and the third for horses.
2. A Shahna was posted in the market.
3. The Peasants had to pay land revenue in kind.
4. Slaves were transacted in the market during his time.

Which of the following are correct?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

OPSC OAS 2023 Prelims (General Studies) Official Paper-I

Answer 1

The Correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

Alauddin Khalji established a comprehensive market control system with separate markets for different commodities: One market (mandi) for food grains, A second market for cloth, sugar, ghee, oil, etc., A third market for horses, cattle, and slaves. Hence 1 Correct.
Alauddin Khalji appointed market supervisors called Shahna to ensure strict control over market prices, prevent hoarding, and enforce market regulations. Hence 2 Correct.
Under Alauddin Khalji's rule, land revenue was usually collected in cash, not in kind. This policy helped facilitate market transactions and enabled the state to exert greater control over the agricultural economy. Hence 3 is Incorrect.
During Alauddin Khalji's reign, the buying and selling of slaves were common practices. Slaves were indeed a part of market transactions and were traded along with horses and other commodities. Hence 4 is Correct. Hence, the correct answer is Option 3 (1, 2, and 4).