Which Delhi Sultan established the department of slaves known as 'Diwan-i-Bundagan' and oversaw the largest expansion of royal slaveholding?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Firuz Shah Tughluq established the specialized department known as Diwan-i-Bundagan to manage and oversee the welfare of his massive contingent of royal slaves, which numbered approximately 180,000 during his reign. Earlier Sultans like Alauddin Khalji maintained large standing armies but did not create a dedicated administrative wing solely for slave maintenance. This welfare-oriented yet administratively cumbersome step contributed to the financial strain of the late Tughluq dynasty.