Market control under Alauddin Khilji aimed mainly to ________.

Explanation

The correct answer is (d) check price inflation for army provisions Explanation: · Alauddin Khilji introduced strict market reforms to control prices of essential commodities. · His primary motive was to ensure stable and affordable supplies for his large standing army. · Price ceilings were fixed for grains, cloth, cattle, and other essential items. · He appointed market superintendents (shahana-i-mandi) to prevent black marketing and hoarding. · These controls helped maintain regular provisioning of the army without excessive expenditure. Information Booster: · Alauddin established three major markets in Delhi: for grains, cloth, horses/slaves/cattle. · The reforms were documented in Barani’s Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi. Additional Knowledge: (a) Patronise artisan guilds · Guild support was not the focus of Khilji’s reforms. · His policy aimed at state control, not artisan welfare. (b) Encourage foreign trade · Khilji’s reforms did not promote foreign trade; rather, they emphasised regulation and internal stability. (c) Promote luxury crafts and goods · Luxury goods were not prioritised, as his focus was on basic necessities for the army, not elite consumption.