Delhi Sultanate (Part I: 1206–1320 AD)
Overview
| Delhi Sultanate Overview | Establishment of Delhi Sultanate in 1206 AD marked beginning of a new political era, characterized by rule of five successive Turkic and Afghan dynasties. Saw consolidation of Muslim rule in North India, introduction of Persian administrative systems, and defense against Mongol invasions. |
1. Historical Background: The Invasions
| First Muslim Invasion (712 AD) | Led by Muhammad Bin Qasim, who conquered Sindh as a province of Umayyad Caliphate. |
| First Turkic Invasion (998–1030 AD) | Led by Mahmud of Ghazni (17 expeditions for plunder, including Somnath Temple raid in 1025 AD). |
| Second Turkic Invasion (1175–1206 AD) | Led by Muhammad Ghori ("Real Founder of Muslim Rule" in India). Victories at Tarain (1192) and Chandawar (1194) laid foundation for Sultanate. |
2. The Slave Dynasty (1206–1290 AD)
| Qutubuddin Aibak (1206–1210 AD) | Known as Lakh Bakhsh. Started Qutub Minar (dedicated to Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki). Built Quwat-ul-Islam (Delhi) and Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra (Ajmer). Died playing Chaugan (Polo). |
| Shamsuddin Iltutmish (1211–1236 AD) | Real Consolidator; shifted capital from Lahore to Delhi. Saved India from Genghis Khan by refusing asylum to Khwarizm Shah. Introduced silver Tanka and copper Jital coins. Organized Iqta System and Chahalgani. |
| Razia Sultana (1236–1240 AD) | First and only woman to rule Delhi Sultanate. Married Altunia (Governor of Bhatinda) before being assassinated near Kaithal. |
| Ghiyasuddin Balban (1266–1287 AD) | Implemented policy of "Blood and Iron". Broke power of Chahalgani. Introduced Sijda (prostration) and Paibos (kissing feet). Established military dept Diwan-i-Arz. Assumed titles Zil-i-Ilahi and Niyabat-i-Khudai. |
3. The Khilji Dynasty (1290–1320 AD)
| Jalaluddin Khilji | Founded dynasty through "Khilji Revolution" against Slave nobles. |
| Alauddin Khilji Expansion | General Malik Kafur led successful southern campaigns, defeating Yadavas, Kakatiyas, and Hoysalas. Followed secular policy ("Kingship knows no Kinship"). |
| Market Control & Administration | Fixed prices for all essential commodities. Appointed Shahna-i-Mandi (Market superintendents) and Diwan-i-Riyasat (enforcement dept). |
| Military Reforms | Introduced Dagh (branding of horses) and Chehra (descriptive roll of soldiers); first to pay soldiers in cash. |
| Revenue Reforms | Created Mustakharaj department to collect arrears and introduced land measurement (Bishwa) for taxation. |
4. Architecture & Literature
| Khilji Monuments | Alai Darwaza (ornate entrance to Qutub Minar complex), Alai Minar (unfinished massive minaret), Siri Fort, and Hazar Sutun (Palace of 1,000 Pillars). |
| Amir Khusrau | "Parrot of India"; court poet under Alauddin; wrote Khazain-ul-Futuh and Tughlaq Nama. |
| Minhaj-us-Siraj | Authored Tabaqat-i-Nasiri (primary source for Slave dynasty). |
UPSC High-Yield Recall & PYQ Targets
| Founder vs Consolidator | Qutubuddin Aibak founded the dynasty; Iltutmish was the real consolidator. |
| Coins & Currency | Iltutmish introduced Silver Tanka and Copper Jital. |
| Mongol Threat Avoidance | Iltutmish avoided conflict with Genghis Khan (1221). |
| Balban's Etiquette & Dept | Sijda/Paibos and Diwan-i-Arz military department established by Balban. |
| Market Control | Market control and price fixation exclusively associated with Alauddin Khilji. |
Supplemental Asset Directory
- Qutb Minar:
- Arhai Din Ka Jhonpra:
- Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque:
- Tomb of Iltutmish:
- Tomb of Balban:
- Khilji Architectural Features:
- Alai Darwaza Dome:
- Alai Minar:
