Which ruler of Delhi Sultanate re-established Balban's Principle of Kingship?

UPPSC 2022

General Knowledge

Easy

Appeared in: UPPSC 2022

Explanation

Alauddin Khilji revived and reinforced Balban's theory of kingship, which was based on absolute power and the divine right of the monarch.
Like Balban, he believed that the Sultan's authority was supreme and could not be challenged by the nobility or religious leaders (Ulema).
He systematically crushed the power of the nobles, confiscated their lands, and prohibited unauthorized gatherings and marriages to prevent conspiracies.
Alauddin also strengthened the espionage system (Barids) that Balban had established to maintain strict surveillance over his officials and the empire.

Option A: Muhammad Tuglaq's approach to kingship, while absolute, was marked by radical and often impractical experiments (like the token currency and capital shift), which led to instability. This contrasts with Balban's calculated and stern methods for consolidating power.
Option B: Khizr Khan, the founder of the Sayyid dynasty, never assumed the title of 'Sultan'. He ruled as the 'Rayat-i-Ala' (Vassal) of Timur's successors, which is the opposite of Balban's concept of an all-powerful, sovereign king.
Option D: Sikandar Lodi and the Lodi dynasty followed the Afghan theory of kingship, which treated the Sultan as a 'primus inter pares' or 'first among equals'. He shared power with his Afghan nobles, which is fundamentally different from Balban's despotic, centralized model.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Theories of Kingship in the Delhi Sultanate as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This question tests general knowledge of Indian history, a component of the general aptitude section in many nursing and other competitive examinations.
Understanding different models of governance and leadership (e.g., autocratic vs. collective) provides a broader perspective on organizational structures, which can be relevant in understanding hospital administration hierarchies.
What if the question asked who introduced the principle of kingship that Alauddin later followed? The answer would be Ghiyasuddin Balban, as he was the originator of this specific theory of divine right and absolute despotism in the Delhi Sultanate.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept in the question: 'Balban's Principle of Kingship'.
Recall the key features of this principle: absolute despotism, divine right theory, suppression of nobility, and a strong spy system.
Next, evaluate each option against these features.
Analyze Alauddin Khilji's reign and recognize that his policies (market reforms, control over nobles, military strength) were aimed at creating an all-powerful, centralized monarchy, directly aligning with Balban's model.
Eliminate the other options by identifying their contrasting theories of kingship: Muhammad Tuglaq's experimentalism, Khizr Khan's vassalage, and Sikandar Lodi's 'first among equals' Afghan model.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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