The Iqta system was abolished and restructured by Alauddin Khilji (reigned 1296–1316 CE) as part of his military and administrative reforms.
- Under the traditional Iqta system, soldiers were paid through land revenue assignments rather than cash
- Alauddin replaced this with direct cash payment to soldiers (dagh system), giving the central government far greater control
- He introduced branding of horses (dagh) and muster roll (chehra) to prevent fraud
- The Iqta system had been introduced into the Delhi Sultanate earlier by Iltutmish (13th century)
Note: Historians distinguish between complete abolition and significant restructuring. Alauddin curtailed and centralized iqtas rather than eliminating the concept entirely.