Which one of the following kings inscribed on his coins that, “S...
Muhammad Tughluq believed that he was the shadow of God. Some of the inscriptions on his coins read as “Sovereignty is not conferred upon every man, but is placed on the elect.” “He who obeys the Sultan truly obeys God.” “The Sultan is the shadow of God” and “God is the supporter of the Sultan.” He dropped all references to the Khalifa.
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Which one of the following kings inscribed on his coins that, “S...
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi from 1325 to 1351, inscribed on his coins the statement that "Sovereignty is not conferred upon every man but is placed on the elect." This inscription reflected his belief in the concept of divine right of kingship, where the ruler is chosen by God and possesses supreme authority.
Explanation:
Background:
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq was the eldest son of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, the founder of the Tughlaq dynasty. He ascended the throne in 1325 after his father's death. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq is known for his ambitious and often controversial policies, which had a significant impact on the Delhi Sultanate.
Divine Right of Kingship:
The inscription on Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's coins reflects his belief in the divine right of kingship. This concept suggests that a ruler's authority is derived directly from God, and therefore, only certain individuals, known as the elect, are chosen by divine will to hold sovereignty. According to this belief, not every man is capable of ruling, and the power to govern is bestowed upon a select few.
Implications:
By inscribing this statement on his coins, Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq was asserting his legitimacy as a ruler chosen by God. It also served as a reminder to his subjects that sovereignty and power were not accessible to everyone but were reserved for a special few. This inscription aimed to reinforce his authority and establish a hierarchical system where the ruler was considered superior to the common people.
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's Rule:
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's reign was marked by several ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful initiatives. He attempted to shift the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad, leading to much chaos and suffering. He also introduced a token currency made of copper and brass, which resulted in economic turmoil. These policies, along with his authoritarian rule, led to widespread discontent among his subjects.
Conclusion:
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's inscription on his coins reflects his belief in the divine right of kingship and the idea that sovereignty is not conferred upon every man but is placed on the elect. This statement served to legitimize his rule and establish a hierarchical system where the ruler was considered divinely chosen and superior to the common people. However, Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's reign was marked by failed policies and discontent among his subjects, highlighting the limitations of such a belief system.