Market reforms of Alauddin Khalji:
(i) The market reforms of Alauddin Khalji were oriented towards administrative and. military necessities.
(ii) Alauddin Khalji was more or less the first ruler who looked at the problem of price control in a systematic manner and was able to maintain stable prices for a considerable period.
(iii) Alauddin Khalji instituted market control because after the Mongol siege of Delhi, he wanted to recruit a large army. With low. prices the Sultan could recruit a large army with low expenses. For the market reforms, elaborate administrative arrangements were made to ensure that the market control was followed strictly.
(iv) Prices of all commodities from grain to cloth, slaves, cattle etc., were fixed. Three markets at Delhi, the first for food grains, the second for cloth of all kinds and for expensive items such as ghee, oil, dry fruits, sugar etc., and the third for the horses, slaves and cattle were set-up.
(v) To control the food prices Alauddin tried to control the supply of food grains from the villages, and its transportation to the city by the grain merchants. He also tried to control its proper distribution to the citizens.
Measures taken to implement the reforms:
(i) A number of measures were taken to implement the reforms strictly. Measures were taken to implement the price control laid down by the Sultan.
(ii) Sufficient stocks of food-grains with the government were ensured to prevent any artificial scarcity or profiteering by traders. The Banjaras or Karwaniyan were responsible for the transportation of food grains from one place to another. They were to settle on the banks of Yamuna with their families. Shehna was appointed to see them. To ensure regular supply of food grains to the Banjaras, a number of regulations were made. Shehna was also in charge of the market to see that no one violates the royal orders. Barids (intelligence officers) and munhiyans (secret spies) were also appointed.
(iii) In the second market of clothes, clothes were brought from different parts of the country and also from outside and were to be stored and sold in this market at government rate. All the merchants were registered and a deed was taken from them that they would bring the specified quantities of commodities to the Sarai-i-adl every year. Advance money was given to those merchants who brought commodities from long distances including foreign countries. Advance money was given on the condition that they would not sell to any intermediaries. An officer was appointed to issue permits to amirs, maliks etc., for the purchase of costly commodities.
(iv) The Third market dealt with horses, cattle and slaves. Alauddin did away with the middleman or dallal. The quality and prices of the horses were fixed. Similarly, the prices of slave boys and girls and of cattle were also fixed.
