Foreign Policy of Muhammad-bin-Tughluq

Foreign Policy of Muhammad-bin-Tughluq

Muhammad-bin-Tughluq followed the policy of territorial extension like his father Ghiasuddin Tughluq. He annexed the vanquished territories to Delhi sultanate which no other Sultan of Delhi had ever done. But he cannot be said to be a successful ruler as regards external affairs, as many provinces taking the advantage of the weaknesses of the centre revolted. So instead of extending the frontiers of the Delhi Sultanate, Muhammad-bin-Tughluq rather reduced and weakened the territory of the Sultanate.

Scheme of Conuqest of Khurasan

In the beginning of his reign Sultan Muhammad-bin-Tughluq had made a scheme to conquer Khurasan, Iran and Transoxiana. As a matter of fact, some Khurasani nobles thronged the court of Muhammad Tughluq due to his extravagant liberality and they incited the Sultan for the victory of Khurasan. At that time the internal condition of Khurasan was also favorable. Khurasan was a part of Persian Empire and there was serious internal conflict in Persia and the ruler of Egypt had made a plan to invade Persia due to its weak position. The ruler of Egypt was the friend of Muhammad-bin-Tughluq. He also instigated the Sultan to invade Khurasan.

The Sultan recruited a vast army of 3,70,000 soldiers for this purpose and paid them advance salary for one year but before the march of this army towards Khurasan, the conditions in Central Asia changed and the scheme of invading central Asia could not be implemented. The Sultan had also realized that it would be very difficult to cross the huge snowbound mountains, so he abandoned the idea of launching an expedition against Khurasan and the army was dispersed. Scholars have bitterly criticized this scheme of conquest of Khurasan. Dr. Ishwari Prasad writes, “Though the Sultan was not wanting in physical courage and power, he miscalculated the situation, and failed to see the insuperable difficulties placed in his way by man and nature and vast distance.”

Conquest of Rajasthan

Historians like Colonel Tod, Pandit Gauri Shanker Ojha etc. say that Muhammad Tughluq had invaded chittor in the early days of his reign. Hamir was the ruler of Chittor in those days. A fierce battle was fought between the two, in which Hamir attained victory. The Sultan concluded a treaty with him and gave him the territory of Ajmer, Ranthambhor and Nagor along with 100 elephants and a lot of money. Such description is found only in the traditions of Rajasthan. None of the Muslim chroniclers has described it. Dr. Mehdi Husain and Dr. Ishwari Prasad also do not believe it.

Conquest of Nagarkot (A.D. 1337)

The fort of Nagarkot was situated in Kangra district. It was considered one of the most formidable forts. It was not conquered by any Muslim ruler so far. In A.D. 1337, the army of Muhammad-bin-Tughluq attacked the fort of Nagarkot. It was opposed by the Hindu ruler but he was forced to surrender and after a treaty the fort was restored to the Hindu ruler as he accepted supremacy of the Sultan.

Qarajal Campaign (A.D. 1337-38)

Muhammad-bin-Tughluq wanted to establish his control over the hilly states of Kumayun. In A.D. 1337-38 he invaded the state of Qarajal situated in Kumayun hills. It has been called by different names by the historians such as Qurachal, Kumarchal, Farejal etc. Historians say that it was the ancient name of Kumayun. It was situated somewhere between China and India and the Sultan wanted to defend his northern frontier by achieving victory over it.

Conquest of the South

The imperialistic thirst of Muhammad Tughluq was unquenchable, hence he sent expeditions against the states of Dwarasamudra, Mabar and Anagondi in the south and thus incorporated the entire western coast of the south into his empire but his success in the south proved very ephemeral. Soon, revolts broke out in this territory and at last the entire south became free from the yoke of Delhi Sultanate.

His Relations with Other Countries

Muhammad-bin-Tughluq established friendly and cordial relations with his neighboring countries. He gave shelter to many nobles who came from Persia, Khurasan, Ghazni and Central Asia. Ibn Batuta mentions that he always honored the foreigners and he entitled all the foreigners ‘Aziz’ by one of his orders. Later on, some foreigners revolted against the Sultanate and proved the futility of his liberal policy.

The Sultan also established friendly relations with Iraq, Egypt, Khwarizm and Transoxiana. He also had cordial relations with the emperor of China. He sought permission for the repair of some Buddha temples in the region of Qarajal and sent him several costly presents as a token of honour. The ruler of China also started the payment of jaziya as desired by the Sultan. In order to strengthen the relations between the two, on 22^nd July A.D. 1343 Ibn Batuta wa sent as an ambassador in the court of the Chinese ruler. He stated there for about four years and returned in A.D. 1347.

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Foreign Policy of Muhammad-bin-Tughluq