Foundation of Delhi Sultanate (1206-1236)

Context: The disintegration of the Ghurid Empire and the rise of the Mamluk (Slave) officers in India.
Key Feature: Institutionalizing Turkish rule via the Iqta and the Chahalgani.

1. Qutbuddin Aibak (1206-1210)

Status: First independent Muslim ruler of Northern India; ruled from Lahore.
Title: Lakh Baksh (Giver of Lakhs) for his generosity.
Architecture: Started the Qutub Minar (dedicated to Sufi saint Bakhtiyar Kaki) and built Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque (Delhi).
Death: Died playing Chaugan (Polo) at Lahore.

Consolidation: Shifted the capital to Delhi; received the Caliph's investiture (1229) for legal legitimacy.
Mongol Diplomacy: Saved Delhi from Genghis Khan by refusing protection to Jalaluddin Mangbarani.
Institutional Innovations:
- Turkan-i-Chahalgani: A core group of 40 elite Turkish slave-officers to manage the state.
- Iqta System: Granting land revenues to officers instead of cash salaries; linked the center to regional administration.
- Currency: Introduced the Silver Tanka and Copper Jital.

Origin: Iltutmish was the slave of Aibak, but his legitimacy came from his own military success and the Caliph's recognize—he was not the 'natural heir'.
Capital: Aibak never ruled from Delhi; Lahore was the first capital of the Sultanate.
Religious Neutrality: While he patronized Islamic scholars, Iltutmish was the first to realize that India was not a Dar-ul-Islam (Land of Islam) but a Dar-ul-Aman (Land of Peace) due to the vast Hindu majority.