“The king was freed from his people and they from their king”. On whose death did Badauni comment thus?

The correct answer is C, Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Abdul Qadir Badauni, a famous medieval historian, made this remark upon the death of Muhammad bin Tughlaq in 1351. The comment reflects the turbulent relationship between the Sultan and his subjects. Muhammad bin Tughlaq was known for his ambitious but ill-fated administrative experiments, such as shifting the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and introducing token currency. These policies caused immense hardship, leading to widespread rebellions and resentment among the people. Badauni used this expression to signify that the death of the Sultan brought mutual relief to both the ruler, who was frustrated by constant revolts, and the people, who suffered under his erratic governance.