CLASS 7 GEOGRAPHY · NCERT · CH 3: DELHI: 12TH TO 15TH CENTURY (NCERT CLASS 7 — OUR PASTS II)
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Who founded the Slave Dynasty and when?
QUTB-UD-DIN AIBAK (r. 1206-1210) — slave-general of Muhammad of Ghor; declared independence after Ghor's death (1206); built the Qutub Minar (started) and Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque (Delhi's first mosque, on the site of a demolished Hindu temple).
Why were they called "Slave" Sultans?
They were MAMLUKS — military slaves of Turkish origin who rose to the highest positions through merit and loyalty; the founders (Aibak, Iltutmish, Balban) had all been slaves themselves. Slaves were trusted because they had no other family/clan loyalty.
Who was Razia Sultan?
RAZIYYA (r. 1236-1240) — daughter of Iltutmish; FIRST and only female Sultan of Delhi. Could ride elephants, lead armies, hold court — but Turkish nobles refused to accept a woman ruler; was deposed and killed.
Who was Balban?
GHIYAS-UD-DIN BALBAN (r. 1266-1287) — strongest of the Slave dynasty; took the title "ZILL-I ILAHI" (Shadow of God on Earth); introduced strict court etiquette (sijda — prostration; paibos — kissing the throne); crushed rebellions and the "Forty" (Turkish nobles).
Who was Iltutmish and why is he the "real founder" of the Sultanate?
ILTUTMISH (r. 1211-36) — slave + son-in-law of Aibak; consolidated the unstable post-Aibak realm; got investiture (mansur) from the ABBASID CALIPH at Baghdad 1229 — first Indian Muslim ruler to be recognised as legitimate Sultan; introduced the SILVER TANKA + COPPER JITAL coinage (basis of medieval Indian currency); created the IQTA system.
Iltutmish's major wars?
(i) Defeated the rival Aibak slave-general Yildiz at TARAIN 1216; (ii) defeated Qabacha of Sindh; (iii) crushed Hindu rebellions in Ranthambore + Mandu; (iv) declined to harbour the Khwarizm prince Jalal-ud-din Mangbarni (1221) — wisely avoiding a clash with the MONGOLS (Genghis Khan's army was at the Indus).
Who was Razia's closest companion and why did the nobles object?
YAQUT — an ABYSSINIAN slave-officer; rose to be Razia's "Master of the Stables" (royal grooms); their close (probably not romantic, but visible) association angered the Turkish nobles ("Chihalgani" / The Forty); they revolted — Razia was deposed 1240, killed near Kaithal.
How did Balban tame "The Forty"?
Balban systematically eliminated the Chihalgani — poisoned Sher Khan (a major rival), executed others on small charges; introduced PERSIAN COURT CEREMONIES (sijda — prostration; paibos — kissing the throne; nauroz festival); declared himself "ZILL-I-ILAHI" (Shadow of God on Earth) and "NAYABAT-I-KHUDAI" (deputy of God) — established Sultan as semi-divine.
Who was the greatest Khalji ruler?
ALAUDDIN KHALJI (r. 1296-1316) — military genius, harsh administrator. Conquered Gujarat (1299), Chittor (1303), Devagiri/Daulatabad (1306), and through his general MALIK KAFUR campaigned to MADURAI in the deep south (1311) — first Sultan to extend power into peninsular India.
What was Alauddin's market-control policy?
Fixed prices of essential goods (grain, cloth, slaves, animals) in Delhi markets; built three regulated markets — for grain, cloth, and animals/slaves; established a state granary; appointed market inspectors. Aimed to maintain a large standing army cheaply.
Alauddin's revenue reforms?
Raised land revenue to 50% of produce in the Doab; measured land directly (not through intermediaries); paid soldiers in CASH instead of land grants — built the first true STANDING ARMY of the Sultanate.
Why did Alauddin build Siri?
After repelling MONGOL invasions (esp. 1299, 1303); Siri was a fortified new city to garrison the army that defended Delhi from the Mongols.
This topic is part of the NCERT Class 7 History syllabus, drawn from the chapter Ch 3: Delhi: 12th to 15th Century (NCERT Class 7 — Our Pasts II). Content is cross-referenced against the latest NCERT textbook editions + standard reference works.
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