The establishment of Delhi as the capital of the sultanate

Qutubuddin Aibak, Iltutmish, Raziyad, and Muzzuddin Gori were all important rulers of the Delhi Sultanate in medieval India. However, it was Iltutmish who established Delhi as the capital of the sultanate. Let's delve into the details of this significant development.

1. Qutubuddin Aibak:
- Qutubuddin Aibak was the founder of the Delhi Sultanate and the first Muslim ruler of Delhi.
- He established his capital at Lahore, in present-day Pakistan.
- During his reign, he constructed the famous Qutub Minar in Delhi, which stands as a symbol of his power and influence.

2. Iltutmish:
- Iltutmish was the third ruler of the Delhi Sultanate and the first to establish Delhi as the capital.
- He ascended to the throne in 1211 after the death of his predecessor, Aram Shah.
- Iltutmish faced challenges to his authority from various factions within the sultanate and neighboring kingdoms.
- In order to consolidate his power and centralize the administration, he decided to shift the capital from Lahore to Delhi.
- He chose Delhi due to its strategic location, as it was situated in the heartland of his kingdom and provided better access to other regions.
- Iltutmish made significant contributions to the development of Delhi as the capital. He built the Qutub Minar complex, expanded the Sultanate's administrative infrastructure, and strengthened the defense system.
- He also introduced various administrative reforms, including the division of his kingdom into provinces called Iqtas, which were ruled by his trusted nobles.

3. Raziyad:
- Raziyad was the daughter of Iltutmish and became the first and only female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.
- She ruled for a brief period from 1236 to 1240.
- However, her reign was marked by challenges and opposition from the nobles and clergy.
- Raziyad's reign did not have a significant impact on the establishment of Delhi as the capital.

4. Muzzuddin Gori:
- Muzzuddin Gori, also known as Muhammad of Ghor, was a ruler from the Ghorid dynasty who invaded and conquered parts of India, including Delhi.
- While he played a crucial role in the history of the Delhi Sultanate, he did not establish Delhi as the capital.

In conclusion, it was Iltutmish who established Delhi as the capital of the sultanate. His decision to shift the capital to Delhi proved to be significant, as it laid the foundation for Delhi's emergence as a prominent political and cultural center in medieval India.

Iltutmish Established Delhi as the capital of sultanate.