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The Delhi Sultanate

As per the prior chapter, Muhammad Ghori returned to Afghanistan after appointing Qutbuddin Aibak as the governor of his Indian territories. Unfortunately, Ghori was assassinated on his journey back in 1206 CE.

• After Ghori's demise, Qutbuddin Aibak crowned himself as the sultan of the Indian regions he governed, leading to the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate.
• The Delhi Sultanate spanned from 1206 to 1526 CE, lasting over 300 years and being governed by five consecutive dynasties: the Mamluks, the Khaljis, the Tughlaqs, the Sayyids, and the Lodis.
• These centuries of Muslim rule in India brought about significant changes in the social, religious, and political fabric of the Indian society.

The Mamluk Dynasty

• Qutbuddin Aibak became the ruler of Delhi in 1206 CE.
• This ruling dynasty was named the Mamluk Dynasty, meaning 'owned' in Arabic, because most rulers initially were slaves.
• The Turkic rulers considered their slaves as family members, providing them with military, social, and administrative training from a young age.

Qutbuddin Aibak (1206-1210 CE)

• Qutbuddin Aibak, ruling from 1206 to 1210 CE, was a skilled military leader known for his rare defeats in battles.
• Under his leadership, Ghori's army conquered regions between the Yamuna and Ganga rivers and overcame the Rajput rulers.
• Aibak, a capable ruler, aimed to establish peace and prosperity within his kingdom.

lltutmish (1211-1236 CE)

• Succession after Aibak: lltutmish followed Aibak as the ruler. He solidified his rule through battles against Rajput chiefs, Lahore, and Sind rulers.
• Defending against Mongol Invasion: lltutmish successfully defended against an attack by Genghis Khan, the renowned Mongol leader who had conquered vast regions of Asia swiftly.
• Nomination of Raziya: Recognizing the capabilities of his offspring, lltutmish appointed his daughter Raziya as the next sultan of Delhi.

Raziya (1236-1240 CE)

• Raziya, a wise and capable queen, dressed like a man and rode an elephant while leading her troops.
• She established law and order in the empire through tact and diplomacy.
• Some nobles were against a woman being their sultan and conspired to remove her in 1240 CE.

Nasiruddin (1248 CE)

• Nasiruddin, the youngest son of Iltutmish, became the ruler in 1248 CE.
• However, he was inefficient as a ruler.

Balban (1266-1286 CE)

• Upon Nasiruddin's death in 1266 CE, Balban, his prime minister, became the ruler of Delhi.
• At that time, the empire faced severe lawlessness and Mongol threats.
• Balban implemented a strategy of 'blood and iron' to maintain control through fear and force.
• He weakened the chahalgani, a significant group of Turkic nobles, and bolstered the military and spy network.
• Additionally, he fortified forts and established diplomatic relations with the Mongols.
• Balban passed away in 1286 CE, leading to a decline in his successors' authority.

The Khalji Dynasty

• Alauddin Khalji was the prominent figure of the Khalji Dynasty, known for his ambition.
• During his reign, the Delhi Sultanate significantly expanded.
• He conquered territories like Gujarat (1299 CE), Malwa, and several Rajput states such as Jaisalmer, Ranthambore, and Chittor (1303 CE).
• Under the command of Malik Kafur, Khalji's forces ventured into the Deccan and southern India.
• Between 1309 and 1311 CE, the Deccan kingdoms were subdued, marking the first extension of Delhi's rule beyond the Vindhyas.

A good administrator and a clever ruler, Alauddin Khalji gradually brought the empire under his control. He took measures to ensure that the nobles did not conspire against him. He also appointed spies throughout the sultanate.

Economic Reforms by Alauddin Khalji:

• He fixed the prices of all goods, including food grains, cloth, and horses.
• Officers were put in charge of the markets to ensure that the traders followed rules.
• Warehouses were set up to store excess grain, which could be used in times of famine.
• The strictest punishment was meted out to people who practiced black marketing or hoarding.

After Khalji's death in 1316 CE, there was a period of chaos. Finally, in 1321 CE, the last Khalji ruler was overthrown by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.

The Sayyid and Lodi Dynasties

• Khizr Khan founded the Sayyid Dynasty, succeeded by the Lodi Dynasty.
• During the Lodi rule, the Delhi Sultanate's influence was confined to a small region around Delhi.
• Ibrahim Lodi, the final ruler of the Lodi Dynasty, was unpopular due to his intolerance and autocratic style.
• Daulat Khan, the Punjab governor, invited Babur, a descendant of Timur, to India to overthrow Ibrahim Lodi.
• Babur defeated and killed Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526, marking the beginning of Mughal rule in India.

Expansion under the Delhi Sultans

• Initially, the Delhi Sultans' dominion was limited to the vicinity of Delhi and a few heavily fortified cities in northern India.
• They lacked substantial authority over the regions lying between these focal points.
• Over time, the Delhi Sultans progressively broadened their realm, eventually gaining direct command over all of northern India and indirect sway over portions of the Deccan region.

• The system of governance implemented in India by the Delhi Sultans had a lasting impact on the country's administration for approximately five centuries, until the arrival of the British.
• Let's explore some of the primary characteristics of this administrative system:
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  • Centralized Authority: The Delhi Sultans established a centralized authority structure to govern their territories.
  • Provincial Administration: They divided their empire into provinces, each governed by provincial governors appointed by the Sultan.
  • Revenue System: The administration was supported by an efficient revenue system that collected taxes from the populace.
  • Judicial System: A structured judicial system was in place to administer justice and maintain law and order.
  • Military Organization: The Delhi Sultans maintained a well-organized military to protect their empire and expand their territories.

Cause of Down Fall of Delhi Sultanate

• There was no fixed succession law, leading to prolonged periods of disorder.
• Several sultans failed to earn people's trust due to their autocratic rule and religious intolerance.
• Unrealistic projects initiated by Muhammad bin Tughlaq caused immense hardships for the people and depleted the treasury.
• Nobles were constantly involved in conspiracies and plots, leaving little time for fulfilling their responsibilities.
• Despite vast expansion, poor communication infrastructure made it challenging to oversee distant territories.
• Subsequent sultans neglected the organization of the army.
• Mongol invasions weakened the sultanate, accelerating its downfall.