How have the modern historians looked at the state formation during the Delhi Sultanate period? Elaborate.

Modern historians have approached the study of state formation during the Delhi Sultanate period (13th to 16th centuries) with a nuanced perspective, drawing on diverse sources and methodologies to analyze the political, social, economic, and cultural dynamics of this transformative era in Indian history. The Delhi Sultanate represents a pivotal phase characterized by the consolidation of Muslim rule in North India and the emergence of new political institutions and administrative structures. Here's how modern historians have examined state formation during the Delhi Sultanate period:

1. Political Centralization and Administration:
Modern historians have explored the process of political centralization under the Delhi Sultans, focusing on the establishment of a centralized authority through administrative reforms, revenue administration, and military organization. Scholars like K.A. Nizami and Irfan Habib have emphasized the role of bureaucratic institutions, such as the diwan (revenue department) and the iqta system (land revenue assignments), in sustaining the Sultanate's authority and governance.

2. Socio-Economic Transformations:
Historians have studied the impact of the Delhi Sultanate on socio-economic structures, including agrarian relations, urbanization, and trade networks. Satish Chandra and Richard Eaton have highlighted the integration of regional economies, the growth of market towns, and the development of craft production under Sultanate rule. The Sultanate's reliance on revenue from agriculture and trade facilitated economic growth and urban expansion.

3. Cultural Exchange and Synthesis:
Scholars have explored the cultural exchanges and syncretism that characterized the Delhi Sultanate period, highlighting interactions between Persian, Arabic, Turkish, and Indian cultural traditions. Notable historians like Richard M. Eaton and Cynthia Talbot have examined the impact of Sufism, Persian literature, and architectural innovations on Indian society, fostering a diverse and cosmopolitan cultural milieu.

4. State-Society Relations:
Historians have analyzed state-society relations during the Delhi Sultanate, exploring the dynamics of power, legitimacy, and resistance. Athar Ali and R. S. Sharma have studied the integration of diverse social groups into the Sultanate's political framework, including local elites, merchants, artisans, and religious communities. They have also examined forms of peasant resistance and urban protests against state exactions.

5. Military and Political Strategies:
The military and political strategies of the Delhi Sultans have been a subject of historical inquiry. Scholars such as Peter Jackson and Sunil Kumar have examined the evolution of military tactics, fortifications, and strategic alliances that enabled the Sultanate to expand its territorial control and confront external threats from Mongol invasions and regional rivals.

6. Revisionist Perspectives:
Recent scholarship has offered revisionist perspectives on the Delhi Sultanate, challenging conventional narratives and exploring alternative interpretations. Historians like Audrey Truschke and Manan Ahmed have critically examined the Sultanate's legacy, questioning assumptions about religious conflict and emphasizing the Sultanate's role in shaping the contours of medieval Indian polity and culture.

In summary, modern historians have adopted interdisciplinary approaches to studying state formation during the Delhi Sultanate period, combining archival research, literary analysis, archaeology, and comparative methodologies. Their work has enriched our understanding of the Sultanate's political institutions, socio-economic transformations, cultural interactions, and the complexities of medieval Indian history. By contextualizing state formation within broader historical processes, modern scholarship offers nuanced insights into the legacy and significance of the Delhi Sultanate in shaping the trajectory of Indian civilization.