Consider the following statements about Alauddin Khalji’s market policy : 1. He placed markets under the control of a high officer called ‘Shahna’ for strictly controlling the shopkeepers and prices. 2. In order to ensure a regular supply of cheap food grains, he ordered the land revenue from Doab region to be paid directly to the State. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Alauddin Khalji implemented rigorous market reforms to maintain a large standing army with low salaries [1]. Statement 1 is correct as he established three distinct markets in Delhi, each supervised by a high-ranking officer known as the 'Shahna' (Shahna-i-Mandi). These officers maintained registers of merchants and strictly regulated shopkeepers to prevent hoarding and ensure price stability. Statement 2 is also correct; to ensure a constant supply of cheap food grains to the capital, Alauddin brought the fertile Doab region under 'Khalisa' (crown lands) [1]. He mandated that land revenue in this region be paid directly to the state, often in kind (grain), which was then stored in royal granaries to be released during shortages or to stabilize market prices.

Sources

1. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 10: Advent of Arabs and Turks > Sultan's Market Reforms > p. 144