The story of the Indian Emperor who was called the ‘Wisest Fool’

The ‘Wisest Fool’ was a nickname given to Muhammad bin Tughluq, the eighteenth Sultan of Delhi, who ruled over most of India from 1325 to 1351 CE. He was a brilliant scholar, a visionary ruler, and a patron of the arts and sciences. However, he was also a reckless adventurer, a ruthless tyrant, and a failed reformer. His ambitious and eccentric policies led to many disasters, rebellions, and losses. He is considered one of the most controversial and fascinating figures in Indian history. In this article, we will explore the story of Muhammad bin Tughluq, the ‘Wisest Fool’, and his achievements and failures.

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Muhammad bin Tughluq was born in 1290 CE, as the eldest son of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq, the founder of the Tughluq dynasty. His original name was Fakhr Malik Jauna Khan, but he later adopted the name Muhammad. He was educated in various fields, such as theology, philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, medicine, and languages. He was fluent in Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, and Hindavi. He was also a skilled poet, calligrapher, and chess player. He was a devout Muslim, but he also respected other religions and cultures. He was a brave and capable warrior, who accompanied his father in many military campaigns.

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Muhammad bin Tughluq ascended the throne in 1325 CE, after the death of his father, who was killed by a collapsing pavilion. He inherited a vast and prosperous empire, which stretched from the Himalayas to the Deccan Plateau, and from Bengal to Gujarat. He also inherited a huge treasury, a powerful army, and a loyal bureaucracy. He was welcomed by the people and the nobles, who expected him to continue the policies of his father. However, Muhammad bin Tughluq had his own vision and agenda, which soon became apparent.

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One of the main objectives of Muhammad bin Tughluq was to expand his empire to the whole of India and beyond. He launched several expeditions to conquer new territories and subdue rebellious regions. He conquered Warangal, Madurai, Bengal, Orissa, and parts of the Deccan. He also attempted to invade China, Tibet, Persia, and Transoxiana, but failed. He maintained a large and diverse army, which included elephants, camels, horses, and infantry. He also built forts, roads, bridges, and canals to facilitate his military campaigns. He was a generous and magnanimous conqueror, who treated his enemies with respect and kindness.

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One of the most radical and controversial decisions of Muhammad bin Tughluq was to transfer his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad, a city in the Deccan. He wanted to make Daulatabad the center of his empire, and a symbol of his power and glory. He also wanted to be closer to the southern regions, where he faced resistance and rebellion. He ordered the entire population of Delhi, including the nobles, the officials, the scholars, and the artisans, to move to Daulatabad. He provided them with money, carts, and animals to facilitate their migration. However, the transfer was a disaster, as many people died or deserted on the way, and the new capital lacked the resources and amenities of Delhi. The people resented and cursed the sultan for his cruel and irrational order. After a few years, Muhammad bin Tughluq realized his mistake and reversed his decision. He moved back to Delhi, and allowed the people to return as well.

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Another bold and innovative move of Muhammad bin Tughluq was to introduce the token currency, or the copper coins, in his empire. He wanted to overcome the shortage of silver and gold, and to increase the circulation of money in the economy. He issued copper coins, which had the same value as the silver coins, and ordered the people to accept them as legal tender. He also promised to exchange the copper coins for gold and silver coins from the royal treasury. However, the token currency was a failure, as it was easy to counterfeit and devalue. The people lost their trust and confidence in the money, and the market was flooded with fake and worthless coins. The sultan’s treasury was drained, as he had to redeem the copper coins with gold and silver coins. The economy collapsed, and inflation and corruption increased.

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Muhammad bin Tughluq also faced a severe financial crisis, due to his extravagant spending and failed reforms. He tried to raise more revenue by increasing the taxes on the people, especially on the farmers of the fertile Doab region, between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. He imposed a heavy tax on the land, which was proportional to the crop yield. He also appointed new officials, who were harsh and corrupt, to collect the taxes. However, his taxation policy backfired, as it coincided with a period of drought and famine, which reduced the agricultural production and income. The farmers were unable to pay the taxes, and many of them abandoned their lands and fled to other regions. Some of them also joined the rebels and bandits, who attacked the sultan’s forces and officials. The sultan tried to suppress the rebellion and enforce the tax collection, but he also showed some leniency and relief to the affected people. He later reduced the taxes and provided loans and seeds to the farmers.

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Muhammad bin Tughluq died in 1351 CE, while he was campaigning against a rebellion in Sindh. He was succeeded by his cousin, Firoz Shah Tughluq, who reversed many of his policies and restored stability and order in the empire. Muhammad bin Tughluq left behind a mixed and complex legacy, which is still debated by historians and scholars. He is praised for his intelligence, learning, vision, and generosity. He is also criticized for his folly, cruelty, arrogance, and mismanagement. He is regarded as a great ruler, who had noble intentions, but poor execution. He is also seen as a mad sultan, who had unrealistic ambitions, but disastrous outcomes. He is remembered as the ‘Wisest Fool’, who shaped and shattered the destiny of India.

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