Why in News?
The Delhi government is about to renovate the 14th century monument Malcha Mahal.
About Malcha Mahal:
- It is a Tughlaq-era hunting lodge, built by Feroz Shah Tughlaq in the 14th century.
- Location: Chanakyapuri area of New Delhi.
- It came to be known as Wilayat Mahal after Begum Wilayat Mahal of Awadh, who was reportedly given the place by the government of India in May 1985.
- For over three decades, it served as home to the family of Begum Wilayat Mahal, claiming to be descendants of the Nawab of Awadh, whose last member, ‘Prince’ Ali Raza, died in 2017.
Who was Feroz Shah Tughlaq?
- He was born in 1309 and ascended the throne of Delhi after the demise of his cousin Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq.
- He was the third ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty that ruled over Delhi from 1320 to 1412 AD. Tughlaq was in power from 1351 to 1388 AD.
- He was the one who started the imposition of Jaziya.
- Jaziya’ or ‘Jizya’ implies a per capita yearly taxation historically levied in the form of financial charge on permanent non-Muslim subjects of a state governed by Islamic law to fund public expenditures of the state.
- He provided the principle of inheritance to the armed forces where the officers were permitted to rest and send their children to the army in their place. However, they were not paid in real money but by land.
- The British called him the ‘father of the irrigation department’ because of the many gardens and canals that he built.
Read also:- WHO Report on Potable Water
