State the position of the nobles and the Ulema during the reign of the Khaljis and the Tughlaqs.

Position of the Ulema:
The Ulema, i.e., the religious leaders and theologians formed an important group in the sultanate. Many of them were appointed to high offices and granted revenue-free lands. Though they were consulted by the Sultans but they were not allowed to dictate the policy of the state. Many rulers like Alauddin Khalji framed their own laws (zawabit) according to the needs of the state along with the Muslim laws.

Position of the Nobles:
Following was the position of the nobles under various rulers of Delhi Sultanate:

• Illtutmish organised a group of powerful Turkish nobles, called 'Chalisa' or 'Corps of Forty Slaves' and distributed high offices among them.
• Balban stood forth as the champion of Turkish nobility. He refused to appoint on important posts anyone not belonging to a noble family. But he took stern measures to break the power of the Turkish nobles to enhance the power and prestige of the monarch.
• Jalaluddin Khalji tried to gain the goodwill of the nobility by following the policy of tolerance and avoiding giving harsh punishments.
• Alauddin Khalji reversed this policy and treated the nobles with utmost severity. He formulated a set of rules to prevent the nobles from conspiring against the Sultan.
• Muhammad bin Tughlaq gave high posts to even those people who did not belong to noble families. This policy was resented by the old noble families.

Hence it can be said that the relationship between the Sultan and the nobility during the reign of the Khaljis and the Tughlaqs changed according to the character and ability of the ruler.