Delhi Sultanate: Slave Dynasty Notes with PDF

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The Early Delhi Sultanate: Key Rulers and Events

1. Qutbuddin Aibak (Reign: 1206-1210 AD)

• Founding & Titles:
  • Founder and first ruler of the Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty.
  • Known as “Lakh Baksh” (giver of lakhs) for his generosity.
  • Never formally took the title of “Sultan”.
• Origin:
  • Born in Turkistan; was a slave of Muhammad Ghori who rose to power.
• Capital:
  • Ruled from Lahore.
  • Never officially moved the capital to Delhi.
• Architectural Contributions:
  • Constructed the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque in Delhi.
  • Built Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra mosque in Ajmer.
  • Laid the foundation of the Qutb Minar.
• Death:
  • Died in 1210 AD after a fall from his horse while playing Polo (Chaugan).
  • Buried in Lahore.

2. Iltutmish (Reign: 1210-1236 AD)

• Succession & Titles:
  • Successor of Qutbuddin Aibak (his son-in-law).
  • Known as the “slave of a slave” (as he was Aibak’s slave).
  • Regarded as the first true Sultan of Delhi and the real founder of the Delhi Sultanate.
  • Officially recognized by the Caliph of Baghdad in 1229 AD and given the titles ‘Sultan-i-Azam’ (Great Sultan) and ‘Amirul-Momminin’ (Commander of the Faithful).
• Capital:
  • First Sultan to shift the capital from Lahore to Delhi.
• Administrative Reforms:
  • Introduced the bimetallic currency system.
  • Issued two main coins: the silver Tanka and the copper Jital.
  • First to introduce regular Arabic coinage in India.
  • Note: Introduced the Iqtadari system.
• Architectural Contributions:
  • Completed the Qutb Minar by adding three stories to the structure started by Aibak.
• The Mongol Threat:
  • A contemporary of the Mongol leader Genghis Khan.
  • Mongols appeared on the banks of the Indus River for the first time during his reign.
  • Genghis Khan was chasing Jalaluddin Mingburnu, who sought refuge from Iltutmish.
  • Iltutmish wisely refused asylum, averting a direct Mongol invasion of India.

3. Raziyya Sultan (Reign: 1236-1240 AD)

• Significance:
  • First and only woman ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.
  • Daughter of Iltutmish, who nominated her as his successor. However, before Raziyya, his brother Ruknuddin Firuz became king.
• Challenges & Reign:
  • Faced opposition from Turkish nobles unhappy with a female ruler.
  • Proved to be a capable ruler, brave warrior, and good administrator.
• Downfall & End of Reign:
  • Was deposed in 1240 AD due to a conspiracy by Turkish nobles.
  • The revolt was led by Malik Altunia, the governor of Bhatinda.

4. Ghiyasuddin Balban (Reign: 1266-1287 AD)

• Full Name: Ghiyasuddin Balban.
• 9th Sultan of Delhi
• Theory of Kingship:
  • First Muslim ruler to formulate a formal ‘theory of kingship’.
  • Propounded the concept of Niyabat-e-Khudai (Viceregency of God), stating the Sultan was God’s representative on Earth (similar to the ‘divine right of kings’).
  • Believed the Sultan’s power was absolute and could not be questioned.
• Titles:
  • Assumed the grand title of Zil-e-Ilahi (Shadow of God).
  • In an inscription, called himself the ‘Helper of a Caliph’.
• Policy:
  • Followed a harsh policy of ‘Blood and Iron’ to consolidate his power and suppress all opposition.
• Administrative Actions:
  • Centralized all authority in his own hands.
  • Eliminated the power of the Turkan-e-Chahalgani (The Corps of Forty), a group of powerful nobles established by Iltutmish.
  • Quelled the revolt in Bengal led by Tughril Khan.
• Cultural Influence:
  • Introduced the famous Persian festival of ‘Navroz’ (New Year) in India.
  • Introduced Persian court rituals like Sijda (prostration) and Paibos (kissing the monarch’s feet).
• North-West Frontier:
  • A key reason for consolidating his rule was to protect the northwest frontier against Mongol invasions. He fortified the area.

The Qutb Minar: Construction History

• Foundation laid by: Qutbuddin Aibak.
• Three stories added by: Iltutmish.
• Rebuilt by: Firuz Shah Tughluq.

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