The agrarian sector was characterized by the cultivation of staple crops like wheat, rice, and barley. The introduction of the Persian wheel (naura) and improved irrigation techniques, particularly in the northern plains, enhanced agricultural productivity. The state's primary source of revenue was land tax, collected in cash or kind. The introduction of the iqta system, where land revenue assignments were granted to officials, played a crucial role in revenue collection and administration, though it also led to regional variations and potential exploitation of peasants.

Key trade routes crisscrossed the empire, linking the Gangetic plains, the Deccan, and coastal regions. The Sultanate actively promoted trade by maintaining roads, establishing sarais (inns) for travelers, and ensuring the safety of merchants. The introduction of new coinage, such as the silver tanka and the copper jital, standardized transactions and facilitated commerce. Major trading centers emerged in cities like Delhi, Multan, and Lakhnauti. External trade was significant, with goods like textiles, spices, horses, and precious metals being exported and imported through ports on the western coast and overland routes to Central Asia.

Cities served as administrative hubs and military cantonments, attracting a diverse population of officials, soldiers, merchants, and artisans. Craft production diversified, with significant advancements in textiles (cotton, silk, wool), metalwork, leather goods, pottery, and architecture. The demand from the ruling elite and the growing merchant class stimulated the production of luxury items. While formal guilds were not as prominent as in later periods, artisans likely operated in organized groups or clusters, specializing in particular crafts.

The social hierarchy was broadly divided into the ruling class (Turks, Afghans, and other Muslims), the religious scholars (Ulama), the nobility, merchants, artisans, and the vast majority of the peasantry. While the ruling elite was predominantly Muslim, the population remained largely Hindu. The Sultanate period saw the gradual integration of various communities, leading to a complex social fabric. Religious and cultural interactions, though sometimes marked by tension, also led to significant syncretism in art, architecture, language, and social customs.

The Ulama, as interpreters of Islamic law, held considerable influence in the court and administration, advising the Sultans on matters of governance and religious policy. Sufi saints, belonging to various orders (silsilas), played a crucial role in spreading Islam and fostering a more inclusive devotionalism. Their emphasis on love, tolerance, and service to humanity resonated with diverse populations, and they often acted as intermediaries between the ruling elite and the common people, contributing to a broader cultural synthesis.