Explanation: Muhammad Tughluq, who ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1325 to 1351, faced significant challenges during his reign, including the threat of Mongol invasions. The Mongols, under the leadership of Genghis Khan and his successors, had already conquered vast territories in Central Asia and had made several incursions into the Indian subcontinent. Muhammad Tughluq's response to these threats was multifaceted, involving both administrative and military strategies.
One of the most notable administrative measures taken by Muhammad Tughluq was the transfer of the capital from Delhi-i Kuhna (Old Delhi) to Daulatabad, located in the Deccan region. This decision was driven by several strategic considerations. Firstly, Daulatabad was situated in a more central location within the Sultanate, which would allow for better control over the entire empire. Secondly, the move was intended to strengthen the Sultanate's hold over the Deccan region, which was crucial for economic and military reasons. Lastly, by relocating the capital, Tughluq aimed to create a more defensible position against the Mongol threat, which was primarily coming from the northwest.
However, the move to Daulatabad was not without its challenges. The logistics of relocating the entire capital, including the royal court, officials, and a significant portion of the population, were immense. The journey from Delhi to Daulatabad was long and arduous, and many people died during the relocation. Additionally, the new capital was not as well-equipped to handle the administrative and logistical demands of the Sultanate.
To address the military aspect of the Mongol threat, Muhammad Tughluq turned Delhi-i Kuhna into a garrison town. This meant that the city was fortified and maintained a strong military presence to defend against any potential Mongol attacks. The transformation of Delhi-i Kuhna into a garrison town was a strategic move to ensure that the Sultanate had a strong defensive position in the north, where the Mongol threat was most imminent.
It is important to note that while Muhammad Tughluq's strategies were ambitious, they were not without their flaws. The relocation of the capital to Daulatabad was ultimately unsuccessful, and the Sultanate faced significant internal and external challenges during his reign. Nonetheless, his efforts to strengthen the Sultanate's defenses and control over the Deccan region were significant attempts to address the Mongol threat and maintain the stability of his empire.
In summary, Muhammad Tughluq dealt with the problem of Mongol attacks by implementing a combination of administrative and military strategies. The relocation of the capital to Daulatabad and the transformation of Delhi-i Kuhna into a garrison town were key components of his approach to fortify the Sultanate against the Mongol threat.