Explanations:Muhammad-bin Tughluq, who ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1325 to 1351, is known for several ambitious but controversial reforms, one of which was the introduction of token currency. This monetary reform was a significant experiment in medieval Indian history and is often discussed in the context of his reign.
The concept of token currency refers to coins that are made of a material that is less valuable than the face value of the coin. In Muhammad-bin Tughluq's case, he issued token coins made of copper and brass, which were to be valued at the same level as silver coins. The idea was to increase the money supply and stimulate the economy, as well as to address the shortage of silver and gold coins.
However, the implementation of this reform was fraught with problems. The token coins were easily counterfeited, leading to a loss of confidence in the currency. Additionally, the public did not trust the new currency, and many preferred to use the traditional silver and gold coins. The lack of trust and the ease of counterfeiting led to inflation and economic instability, ultimately causing the reform to fail.
It is important to understand the historical context of this reform. Muhammad-bin Tughluq was known for his innovative but often impractical ideas. The token currency was one such idea that, while conceptually interesting, did not work in practice due to the socio-economic conditions of the time. This reform is often cited as an example of the challenges faced by rulers in implementing monetary policies and the importance of public trust in currency.
In summary, the correct answer is that Muhammad-bin Tughluq introduced token currency as part of his monetary reforms. This was a significant but ultimately unsuccessful experiment in medieval Indian history, reflecting the complexities of economic policy and the challenges of implementing new monetary systems.