Delhi Sultanate Iqta System

Timeline

1. 1211–1236Delhi · DelhiIltutmish integrated scattered tax allocations, exchanging iqta for cavalry service from nobles and officers, forming the basic structure of sultanate finance and military mobilization.
2. 1296–1316Delhi · DelhiAla al-Din Khalji restricted iqta'dar autonomy, introduced cash pay and strict audits, curbed local hereditary tendencies, and enabled the center to directly control a larger share of taxes and army provisioning.
3. 1320–1414North India · North IndiaMuhammad bin Tughluq expanded iqta scale and attempted token reforms; despite setbacks, iqta continued operating across the sultanate as a mechanism for military-administrative provisioning.
4. 1526–1707Indian subcontinent · IndiaThe Mughal Empire took over iqta functions through systems like the jagir, continuing to maintain administrative and military classes through land-revenue distribution, but incorporated into a more systematic imperial fiscal system.