Who was Iltutmish?

Introduction

Iltutmish was the third king of Ghurid territory of Northern India. Iltutmish was the first Muslim to rule from Delhi and was eventually considered the first founder of the Delhi sultanate. He is also credited for completing the Qutub Minar, whose foundation was led by his predecessor Qutubuddin Aibak. Qutubuddin spent his early life as an enslaved person under several masters in Ghazni and Bukhara. In 1190 Qutubuddin Aibak purchased Iltutmish, and this is where Iltutmish rose as a warrior under Aibak’s Rule. This article will deliver comprehensive knowledge on the reign of Iltutmish and his legacy. After Iltutmish’s death, his daughter Razia Sultan took over the throne and became the first women leader of the Ghurid Dynasty.

Introduction to Iltutmish’s Early life

Iltutmish was born in a tribal family, and his father was a leader of the Turkic tribe. He was an intelligent and handsome boy who developed jealousy in his brothers, and they sold him to a slave dealer. After getting sold to a slave dealer, Iltutmish was brought to Bukhara, where Sadar-i Jahan brought him. There are numerous anecdotes regarding Iltutmish’s interest in his childhood towards religious mysticism. Iltutmish narrated a story when a family member of his first master gave him some money to bring some grapes, and he lost the money on the way to the market. A Sufi noticed him crying at the end of a street and brought him Grapes in return for a promise to treat religious devotees with respect. When Aibak brought Iltutmish, he was appointed as the head of the bodyguard and paved his path under Aibak quickly. He was granted the most important person of the Delhi sultanate due to his efficient governance.

Who was Razia Sultan?

Razia Sultan was the daughter of Iltutmish, and she is known as the first Muslim ruler of the subcontinent. She is also entitled does the only female Muslim ruler of the Delhi sultanate. Razia Sultan was born on 15 October 1240. When Razia Sultan decided to take over the throne, she was challenged by a collective organisation of nobles, and a sum of the nobles joined her.

Territorial Expansion under Iltutmish’s Rule

Iltutmish prepared his eldest Son, Naseeruddin Mahmud, to be his successor, but Nasiruddin Mahmood unexpectedly died in 1229. The concept of territorial expansion under the Iltutmish rule is divided into separate sections. The first one deals with eastern India and Rajasthan, where the second one is the annexation of Qabacha’s empire. 

Eastern India and Rajasthan

Aibak, who was Iltutmish’s predecessor, appointed Ali Mardan as the Governor in the eastern territories of the sultanate. After Aibak’s death, the reason eastern India and Rajasthan became dependent. This led to the declaration of Husamuddin Iwaz as a Sultan. Iltutmish captured the Bihar region with his army in 1210, and later, he captured Bengal in 1225. Ghiyasuddin at first decided to fight Iltutmish but later agreed to accept his reign. Later, Ghiyasuddin captured Bihar again, and Nasiruddin Mahmud was directed to invade Bengal in 1227. 

Annexation of Qabacha’s empire

Iltutmish avoided the Indus river valley in the first half of the 1220s, controlled by Mongols. The Iltutmish gained control over the Qabacha’s Empire during 1228-1229, and this is how the territorial expansion took place under Iltutmish rule. 

Campaigns of Iltutmish

In 1229 the eldest son Naseeruddin Mahmud died unexpectedly while governing Bengal. After this, Malik Alauddin was appointed as the governor of Bengal after defeating Malik khilji, who took over  Bengal after the death of Naseeruddin Mahmud. In 1234 Iltutmish appointed Malik Naseeruddin as the governor of Gwalior, and he attacked Ujjain in 1235, where his army destroyed several temples and holy monuments. During 1229-1230 Iltutmish extended his empire up to the Jhelum River.

Legacy and Death of Iltutmish 

Iltutmish suffered from a disease in 1236 during a march towards Bamyan. He returned to Delhi on 20th April, where his astrologers were waiting for him. On 30th April 1236, Iltutmish took his last breath and was later buried in the Qutub complex of Mehrauli. Iltutmish’s death brought political instability in Delhi, where his four descendants acquired the throne and got murdered. While leaving for a campaign at Gwalior in 1231 Iltutmish,  appointed his daughter Razia Sultan as an administrative head. She acquired the throne letter in 1231 upon his return from March. However, on his deathbed, Iltutmish further changed his decision and decided to keep his eldest son alive as the emperor. The eldest son of Iltutmish was Ruknuddin Firuz, who was unanimously appointed as the new king after Iltutmish’s death. During Ruknuddin’s reign, his mother took over the control of state affairs, which resulted in unsettling state affairs.

Conclusion

Iltutmish was an intelligent and brave leader. He came from a tribal family and was the son of a leader. Due to his intelligence, his brothers started getting jealous of him and eventually sold him to a slave dealer, who later sold him to several masters. He eventually ended up as a slave to Aibak. After getting purchased by Aibak, Iltutmish learnt several things related to politics and battles. He was appointed ahead of the guards at first and later paved his path of the throne itself and laid the foundation of Delhi Sultanate.