The Delhi Sultanate-Slave Dynasty

India was conquered by Mohammad Ghori. Mohammad Ghori was the founder of Muslim Rule in India. He was credited for establishing the Muslim Rule in whole of India. Ghori was also responsible for establishing a new Governmental entity through the Delhi Sultanate. Qutb-ud-din Aibak also played a major role throughout the Slave Dynasty.

Mamluk was the word which was used to call the people of the Slave Dynasty. Mamluk meant “owned”. The imported Turkish Slaves were distinguished based on this word. Qutb-ud-din laid the foundation of the Slave Dynasty.

He was responsible for setting up military headquarters at Indraprastha near Delhi. 

About Qutb-ud-din

Qutb-ud-din was both a slave and a sipahasalar to Mohammad Ghori. He had his birthplace in Central Asia. He was originally born to a Turkish family but was sold as a slave when he was a child. In 1194 AD, during his rule as the viceroy of Sultan Mohammad, he sacked Banaras.

He earned his name by vanquishing the Raja of Ajmer. He also popularized his reign after conquering Gwalior and forcing Raja Solankhoal to pay tribute. He also won the Kingdom of Gujarat.

Qutb-ud-din was set free by his Royal Master’s Nephew and successor.

 Stepping Stones

Qutb-ud-din quickly endeared himself to his Lord, who then promoted him to the post of Amir Akhur (Lord of the Stables) as a result of his Loyalty and services. He later also joined the Sultan on his various Indian missions. He had been said to have left a mark on the Sultan’s mind when he was holding the position of a General.

Mohammad Ghori left him in control of the Indian territories, after the second battle of Tehrain. Qutb-ud-din proved his master’s faith in him to be well placed. He quickly expanded the empire’s area by taking Delhi, Hans, Meerut, Koil, Kanauj and Ranthambore.

Qutb-ud-din took part in the conquests of Banaras, Mahoba and Kalinjar as well.

 Rulers of the Slave Dynasty

•       Qutb-ud-din; Mohammad Ghori owned Qutb-ud-din Aibak as a slave. As a result, Qutbuddin Aibak’s dynasty is known as the Slave or Mamluk dynasty. He solely attempted internal consolidation. His reign was only four years long. In honour of Islam’s victory in India, he built the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque in Delhi. In Ajmer, he built the Adhai din ka-Jhompra mosque. He began working on the Qutub Minar, which he dedicated to the Sufi saint Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar kaki.
•       Iltutmish; Samshuddin Iliyas was his first name. He was Qutbuddin Aibak’s son-in-law. His Mongol policy rescued India from Chengis Khan’s onslaught. From Lahore to Delhi, he relocated his capital. The Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and the Qutb Minar were completed during his reign. He established the Iqta/iqtadari feudalistic system. He formed a pact with forty Muslim nobility. He established the Delhi Sultanate’s monetary system, which included the Tanka, a silver coin. Bronze coin known as Biranz Jittal is a type of copper coin. As his successor, he nominated his daughter Raziya.
•       Raziya Sultana; By exposing her brother Ruknuddin Feroz, Raziya succeeded to the throne of Delhi. In Indian history, she was the first Muslim woman ruler. Yakuth, an African(absynnian) slave, was selected as the cavalry commander. Her authority caused friction with Chahalgani (40 nobles) Altuniya was her husband (Governor of Bhatinda). Both Razia and Altuniya were later slain by a Chalghani coup.
•       Nasiruddin; Chalghani (40 nobles) rose to power after Razia’s death. After six years, however, Balban succeeded in installing Nasiruddin Mahmud, Iltutmish’s younger son, as Sultan. Nasiruddin was a philosopher who was ineffective as a ruler. Balban, his prime minister, deposed him.
•       Ghiyasudin Balban; Chahalghani was annihilated by him. The actual threat to the kingdom, he realized, came from the nobility known as the 40 chahalgani. He was convinced that the best way to deal with the difficulties was to strengthen the monarchy’s power and authority. The Sultan, according to Balban, was God’s representative on earth and a receiver of divine favor. Balban introduced Persian rituals and traditions such as sizda, paribas (kissing the Sultan’s feet), jamnibas (kissing the Sultan’s hands), and Navroz (kissing the Sultan’s hands) (Persian new year). He formed the Diwan-i-Ariz defense department. Balban dealt harshly with robbers and dacoits, making Delhi’s roadways safe to navigate. Balban dealt with the Mongol issue by implementing a blood and iron policy. He fortified the western boundaries. He dispatched his son Mohammad to the western boundaries to confront the Mongols.

 Conclusion

During the reign of Qutb-ud-din, Delhi saw the rise of Slave Dynasty. Qutb-ud-din made certain changes during his reign of the Slave Dynasty. It was seen how Qutb-ud-din was born to a Turkish family but he was sold as a slave when he was just a child. This article also talks about how he rose to the position of Lord of the Stables under the Reign of Mohammad Ghori. Later he impressed the Sultan with his impeccable loyalty and organizational skills. It was also noteworthy how many successors came after him. Iltutmish and Raziya Sultan were among the many who ruled over the Slave Dynasty.