(Urdu: غیاث الدین تغلق), real name Ghazi Malik; died in February, 1325) was the founder and first ruler of the Turkic Muslim Tughluq dynasty in India, who reigned overSultanate of Delhi (Sep, 08, 1320 – Feb, 1325). He has been the founder of the third city of Delhicalled Tughluqabad.[1] His mother was Hindu.
Towards the end of his reign Alauddin Khilji had prepared an expedition of 10,000 men under Ghazi Malik to go to Debalpur to fight against the Chagatai Khanate Mongols. Ghazi Malik was thus enabled to go and secure Multan, Uch and Sindh for himself, especially as Aláuddín Khilji’s sons proved incapable and caused confusion in the affairs of the kingdom, which ultimately took away the kingdom from the possession of the house of Khiljí. Alauddin Khilji’s son Qutb ud din Mubarak Shah, allegedly, a mad man, was removed from the throne of Delhi by Khusro Khan. The nobles of the state then put Khusro Khan on the throne. The latter became unpopular with the Muslim nobility due to perceived partiality towards Hindus. Ghazi Malik’s son Fakhr Malik left Delhi secretly and joined his father, informing him of what was happening at Delhi. Then, father and son, collected the forces of Sindh and Multan and hastened to Delhi to overthrow Khusro Khan. Arriving near Delhi with 3,000 veteran soldiers, they engaged in battle against the army of Khusro Khan, and defeated them. Then making their way into Delhi they again defeated Khusro Khan in battle and he fled away. About midnight the ministers and the headmen of the place came to Ghazi Malak and his son in their camp and gave up the keys of the fort. Early in the morning Ghazi Malik entered the city with all the pomp and glory of a King. Then he went into mourning for 3 days for the death ofAlauddin Khilji and his son Qutb ud din Mubarak Shah. After these ceremonies were over he issued a proclamation with the view of finding out any member of the family of those princes in order that he might put him on the throne of Delhi. But as no such person could be found on search, the nobles, the troops, the learned men, the Syeds and other subjects united in selecting Ghazi Malik for the vacant post, as it was he who had removed all the cause of quarrel and disturbance in the country. Thus in 1320 (720 A.H.) Ghazi Malik was crowned as the Sultan of Delhi with the title of Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq and his son Fakhr Malik was given the title of Muhammad Shah Tughluq.
When, soon after this, Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq proceeded from Multan to Delhi, the tribe of Soomro revolted and took possession ofThatta. Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq appointed Tajuddin Malik as governor of Multan and Khwájah Khatír as governor of Bhakkar and he left 'Malik Ali Sher in charge of Sehwan. In 1323 he appointed his son Muhammad Shah his heir and successor and took a written promise or agreement to the arrangement from the ministers and nobles of the state. In 1324-1325 (720 A.H.) he died of heat apoplexy.
He had established himself as a great ruler. He removed corrupt officials from his administration. He reformed the judiciary and all existing police departments. He also reduced the land revenue to 1/10th of the produce. He was an efficient administrator and a capable military commander. He introduced a number of reforms for his welfare of his subjects and suppressed revolts in distant provinces.He restored peace and stability in the Delhi Sultanate. Ghiyath al-Din was succeeded by his son Muhammad bin Tughluq.
The Tomb of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
South to the fortress of Tughlaqabad is the tomb of its builder, Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq. A once fortified causeway lead to the tomb compound, which at one time stood within a large reservoir. Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq was obviously a man of set ideas – while he was about fortifying everything in sight, he fortified his tomb as well. What against is hard to say; probably Mongols who took the term happy hunting grounds too literally.
The reservoir is no longer stores any water and the bridge over it has been broken off in the middle to make way for an extremely busy road. The tomb is based roughly on a pentagon in plan and its entrance is guarded by massive portals.
¤ Simple Architecture The mausoleum itself is very simple, very much the warrior's tomb. Simple with the same sloping red sandstone walls which are Tughlaq hallmarks. Each wall has arched gateways decorated with the inevitable, but beautiful, latticework and white marble. The dome is entirely of white marble and is quite striking indeed. This rather severe tomb does allow itself a few inscribed panels, arch borders, latticework screens and 'lotus-bud' edges which decorate it.
Towards the left of the entrance, in the corridor, there is a tiny grave which is said to be that of the sultan's favorite dog; which is not exactly a typical thing for a Muslim, who consider dogs unclean, to do.
¤ The Family Mausoleum
The mausoleum is quite a family affair. In here sleeps not only Ghiyas-ud-din but also his wife, Makh Dumai Jahan and his second son Mahmud Khan, who died with him under the pavilion. Near the northern side of the tomb there is an octagonal tomb with an inscribed slab over its southern door, according to which Zafar Khan lies buried here. Who this Zafar Khan was is not recorded, but this was the first tomb to be built here and gave Ghiyas-ud-din the idea of building his own mausoleum here too. The top of the enclosed walls offers excellent views of both Tughlaqabad and Adilabad Forts.
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