UPSC CORE GEOGRAPHY · NCERT · SATISH CHANDRA VOL I CH 3-4: THE DELHI SULTANATE — SLAVE DYNASTY
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Who was Qutb-ud-din Aibak?
AIBAK was a Turkish military slave (mamluk) of Muhammad of Ghor, captured + sold as boy in Nishapur (Iran), educated by Qazi of Nishapur. Rose to be Ghori's most trusted general; commanded the Indian conquests after Tarain II (1192). After Ghori's assassination 1206, declared independence + founded the SLAVE DYNASTY. Capital initially at LAHORE (where he was crowned), then moved to DELHI.
Aibak's famous title + nickname?
"LAKH-BAKSH" ("giver of lakhs") — for his lavish generosity (gave away gold by the lakh). Coronated as Sultan in 1206 at LAHORE. Per medieval chroniclers, he reduced his treasury to nothing through gifts. Made him popular but financially weak.
Aibak's monuments?
Started construction of the QUTUB MINAR (1199) at Mehrauli (Delhi) — completed by Iltutmish; 72.5 m tall; commemorates Tarain victory. Built QUWWAT-UL-ISLAM MOSQUE (1193) — Delhi's FIRST mosque, on the site of a demolished Hindu/Jain temple complex (used carved temple pillars in the courtyard). Built ADHAI-DIN-KA-JHONPRA at Ajmer (mosque, named "2.5 day shed" because tradition says it was built in 2.5 days).
How did Aibak die?
1210 CE — fell from his horse during a CHAUGAN (POLO) game in LAHORE; died of injuries. Buried at Lahore. Brief 4-year reign; consolidation of Sultanate territory was incomplete; succession was contested.
QUTB MINAR — when + by whom?
QUTB-UD-DIN AIBAK started construction 1199 CE; ILTUTMISH completed 4 storeys 1220 CE; FIROZ SHAH TUGHLUQ added 5th storey 1369 CE. Made of RED SANDSTONE + marble. 73m tall (tallest BRICK MINARET in world). UNESCO 1993. Built to commemorate Aibak's victory + as VICTORY TOWER. Adjacent: QUWWAT-UL-ISLAM mosque (built on demolished Hindu/Jain temples — pillars reused).
Why is Iltutmish the "REAL FOUNDER" of the Sultanate?
Aibak had only 4 years; the real CONSOLIDATION was by SHAMSUDDIN ILTUTMISH (r. 1211-1236, 25 years). He: (i) defeated rival mamluk-generals (Aibak's brother-in-law TAJUDDIN YILDIZ at Tarain 1216; QABACHA of Sindh 1228); (ii) crushed Hindu rebellions (Ranthambhore, Mandu, Bayana); (iii) got investiture from the ABBASID CALIPH at Baghdad in 1229 — first Indian Muslim ruler to be RECOGNISED as legitimate Sultan; (iv) established the IQTA system; (v) introduced the SILVER TANKA + COPPER JITAL coinage; (vi) WISELY avoided clash with the MONGOLS (Genghis Khan was at the Indus 1221).
How did Iltutmish handle the Mongol crisis (1221)?
1221 — Khwarazmian prince JALAL-UD-DIN MANGBARNI (fleeing Genghis Khan) sought refuge with Iltutmish. Iltutmish DIPLOMATICALLY refused (telling Mangbarni Indian climate was "too hot" for him); avoided giving the Mongols a pretext to invade India. Mangbarni eventually fled west; Genghis Khan turned back from the Indus. Indian Sultanate spared from Mongol devastation that destroyed Iran + Russia + China.
Iltutmish's monetary reform?
Introduced the SILVER TANKA (~10.7 g) + COPPER JITAL — these became the basis of Indian medieval CURRENCY for the next 300+ years. Tankas had Islamic inscriptions in Arabic + Sultan's name; replaced the bullion/billon coins of Mahmud of Ghazni's era; FACILITATED long-distance trade.
Iltutmish's death + the "FORTY"?
Died 1236 at Delhi. He had created an inner circle of 40 trusted Turkish nobles ("CHIHALGANI" or "the Forty") who served as governors + commanders. They became the KINGMAKERS of the Slave dynasty for the next 30 years; deposed kings + queens (esp. Razia) + rivalled each other for power. Balban eventually destroyed them in his reign.
IQTA SYSTEM — what + how?
IQTA = LAND ASSIGNMENT given to nobles (IQTADARS) in lieu of cash salary. Iqtadars collected revenue from assigned area; PAID the sultan tribute + maintained TROOPS. Iltutmish FORMALISED the system. Iqtas were TRANSFERABLE (not hereditary) — kept nobles dependent on the sultan. Provided FLEXIBLE military structure. Inspired by Seljuq + Ghaznavid Iranian models.
What is "REAL FOUNDER" claim for Iltutmish?
Iltutmish (r. 1211-1236) consolidated what Aibak founded: (i) Defeated rivals (Yalduz, Qabacha, Khwarizmi); (ii) ESTABLISHED dynastic succession; (iii) Got CALIPHAL recognition 1229 (legitimised rule across Islamic world); (iv) ESTABLISHED iqta system; (v) Built TURKAN-I-CHAHALGANI ("Forty Slaves") — elite Turkic ruling group; (vi) Reorganised currency (introduced silver TANKA + copper JITAL).
How did Razia become Sultan?
RAZIYYA AL-DIN — daughter of Iltutmish; her father had nominated HER (not his sons) as successor on his deathbed because his sons were incompetent. After Iltutmish's death (1236), the nobles installed her brother RUKNUDDIN FIROZ — who was ineffective. The Delhi public + nobles then deposed Ruknuddin + installed Razia (1236) — first + only FEMALE SULTAN in Delhi's history.
This topic is part of the NCERT UPSC Core History syllabus, drawn from the chapter Satish Chandra Vol I Ch 3-4: The Delhi Sultanate — Slave Dynasty. Content is cross-referenced against the latest NCERT textbook editions + standard reference works.
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