Slave Dynasty (1206-1290): Rulers and Historical Overview

The period from 1206 AD to 1290 AD was termed by contemporary historians as the “period of consolidation.” The Slave Dynasty, also known as the “Mamluk Dynasty” or “Ilbari Dynasty,” had three main rulers: Qutbuddin Aibak, Iltutmish, and Ghiyash-Ud-Din Balban. After the second battle of Tarain in 1192 AD, Muhammad Ghori gave his loyal slave Qutbuddin Aibak the authority to establish Turkish dominance in North India.

He also initiated a permanent, consolidated, and powerful centralized Muslim administration in North India. The founder of Slave Dynasty or Mamluk Dynasty was Qutbuddin Aibak. The activities of the successive sultans of this dynasty, which ruled from 1206-90 AD, were very important.

Delhi Sultanate Dynasties

A total of 5 dynasties ruled for 320 years from 1206-1526 AD. Among them, the Slave Dynasty or Mamluk Dynasty was the most long-lasting for 84 years. It was the Tughlaq dynasty that had the longest ruling period (94 years), and it was the Khilji dynasty that had the least going period (30 years). Below is a table showing the ruling periods of the 5 dynasties:

Slave Dynasty Rulers and Time Period

From 1206-1290 AD, three dynasties ruled the Delhi Sultanate. These three dynasties were:

• Qutbi Dynasty (1206-1210 AD), Founder: Qutbuddin Aibak.
• Shamsi Dynasty, or the First Ilbari Dynasty (1211-1265 AD), Founder: Shamsuddin Iltutmish.
• Balbani Dynasty, or Second Ilbari Dynasty (1266-1290 AD), Founder: Ghiyas-ud-din Balban.

Below is a table showing the Slave Dynasty rulers and their ruling periods:

Qutbuddin Aibak

• Qutbuddin Aibak was the first ruler of the Slave Dynasty, also known as the Mamluk Dynasty.
• He ruled from 1206-1210 AD. His capital was Lahore.
• The literal meaning of the word Aibak is lord of the moon, because ‘Ai’ means moon and ‘Bak’ means lord, hence the meaning of this name.
• He was the first independent Muslim ruler of Northern India and the founder of the Delhi Sultanate.
• Qutbuddin Aibak assumed the titles ‘Lakh Baksh’, ‘Pil Baksh’, and ‘Quran Khan’. Minhaj-I-Siraj gave him the title ‘Hatim Tai’.
• He was a Turkish slave of Ghori. Muhammad Ghori’s two other slaves, Nasiruddin Qabacha, the governor of Sindh, Multan, and Uch reign, and Yalduz, the governor of Ghazni, were Aibak’s main rivals.
• Yalduz always claimed authority over Delhi. Aibak rejected Yalduz’s claim over Delhi and severed all ties with Ghazni to maintain the existence of the Slave Dynasty.
• Aibak’s first Wazir was Fakhr-I-Mudabbir. Mudabbir was the author of “Adab-Al-Harb Wa-I-Shaja’a” (The Etiquette of War and Bravery). He wrote the book “Shajar–Yi-Ansab” (Tree of Genealogies) in 1206 AD during Qutbuddin Aibak’s reign.
• Hasan Nizami, the author of ‘Taj-Ul-Maasir’, adorned his court.
• He began the construction of Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque (Delhi), Adhai Din Ka Jhopra (Ajmer), and Qutub Minar after the name of Khwaja Qutub-Ud-Din Bakhtiyar Kaki. The construction was completed by Iltututmish.
• Qutbuddin Aibak died in 1210 AD after falling from his horse while playing chaugan (a modern polo game). And, his tomb was built in Lahore, Pakistan.

Aram Shah

• After Aibak’s death, Aram Shah became the ruler of Lahore. He ruled for only 4 months. In 1211 AD, Iltutmish defeated Aram Shah in the Battle of Jud near Delhi and became the ruler of Delhi.
• In this battle, his two main Turkish warriors, Aqsanqar and Farrukh Shah, were killed. The Amirs of Lahore supported Aram Shah, but the Amirs of Delhi supported Iltutmish.

Iltutmish

• Iltutmish was the third ruler of the Slave Dynasty and the founder of the Ilbari Dynasty, or Shamsi Dynasty. He ascended the throne from June 1211 until the 30th of April 1236. His capital was in Delhi.
• He belonged to the Turkish Ilbari tribe. Before becoming the ruler, Iltutmish was a slave of Qutbuddin Aibak. Aibak had made Iltutmish the first Iqtadar or governor of Badaun.
• He began to acquire several titles after ascending to the throne. These were ‘Sultan-I-Azam’, ‘Nasir Amir Al-Mu’minin’ (Amir-Ul-Momineen), ‘Helper of the servant of God’, ‘Protector of God’s land’, and ‘Sultan-I-Saiyaad’.
• Several wars took place during Iltutmish’s time, including the Battle of Jud in 1206 AD against Aram Shah, the Third Battle of Tarain in 1216 AD against Yalduz, the ruler of Ghazni, and the battle against Nasiruddin Qabacha, the ruler of Multan and Sindh, in 1217 AD at Mansura on the banks of the Chenab River. The main reason behind these wars was to declare himself an independent ruler, which was considered most insulting to the rulers of the Delhi Sultanate.
• During his time, Ali Mardan Khalji, the ruler of Bengal, declared himself independent. He took the title ‘Sultan Alauddin’ to conduct his rule independently. In 1225-26 AD, he himself attacked Bengal, and in 1227 AD, his elder son Nasiruddin Mahmud captured Lakhnauti, the capital of Bengal. Finally, in 1230-31 AD, he incorporated Bengal into Delhi.
• When he was busy dealing with his internal problems, the formidable Mongol leader Genghis Khan (Chenghiz Khan) attacked India in 1221 AD.
• He introduced two coins: the 175-gram silver Tanka and the copper coin Jital. Iltutmish also introduced the ‘Iqta Syatem’.
• He created ‘Turkan-E-Chahalgani’ with 40 loyal Turkish slaves.
• Minhaj-i-Siraj, the author of ‘Tabaqat-i-Nasiri’, was patronized by Illtutmish.
• To establish legitimacy, Iltutmish also acquired a “Letter of Investiture” from the Abbasid Caliph of Baghdad in AD 1229.
• Iltutmish completed the construction of Qutb Minar. After the death of Nasiruddin Mahmud in the war against the Mongols in 1229 AD, he built a tomb in Delhi in 1231 AD in memory of his eldest son, which is known as ‘Sultan Ghari’.

You can also read about Samudragupta Coins: Standard, Archer to Lyrist Type coins.

Ruknuddin Firoz Shah

• Ruknuddin Firoz Shah was the second son of Iltutmish and Shah Turkan. He was a man of handsome appearance, easygoing nature, generous, and excessively pleasure-loving.
• Although Iltutmish had declared Razia as the next heir, provincial governors and his mother Shah Turkan conspired to place him on the throne. The provincial subedars played a major role in making him the ruler.
• However, some provincial governors rebelled against him. Those who rebelled against Ruknuddin Firoz Shah were Ghiyash-Ud-Din Muhammad Shah in Ayodhya, Malik Saifuddin Kuchi, the Iqtadar of Multan, and Malik Alauddin Jani in Lahore. He went to Kuhram to suppress these rebellions, and it was there that he was captured. After only 6 months and 28 days of failed rule, he was killed.

Razia Sultan

• In Badaun, Razia Sultan was born in the year 1205 AD. She was the first and last female Muslim ruler in the history of the Delhi Sultanate. Razia Sultan took the title “Umdat-Ul-Niswan.”
• After conquering Gwalior, Iltutmish decided that instead of placing his incompetent sons on the throne, he would give the responsibility of the throne to his capable daughter Razia Sultana. So, he ordered Mushrif-I Mamlakat Tajul Mulk Mahmud Dabir to prepare a nomination letter of succession for Razia.
• But the Chihalgani or the Forty of the Turkish Chiefs could not accept the rule of Razia Sultana and put Ruknuddin Firuz on the throne by force. Even Iltutmish’s Wazir Nizamul-Mulk Junaidi opposed Razia. But Razia Sultana managed to hold on to her power by fighting with the nobles, and even she was able to retain his power by fighting his brother. Although Razia could not carry on her rule for long, she set many examples in her three years of reign.
• During Razia’s time, the Wazir was Khwaja Muhazzabuddin, whom she gave the title “Nizam-Ul-Mulk.” She appointed Malik Saifuddin Aibek Bahtu as the chief of the army with the title “Qutlugh Khan.” Malik Qutbuddin Hasan Ghori was assigned to the role of “Naib-I-Laskhar” by her.
• According to KA Nizami, “Razia becoming a sultan was a contract because she promised the citizens of Delhi that if I fail to meet your expectations, you will remove me from the post.”
• She decided to promote non-Turkish nobility to greater positions. Several Muslims from India were named Qazis. This was because Razia Sultana wanted to end the monopoly of Turkish chiefs. To implement this plan, she appointed an Abyssinian noble, Jamaluddin Yakut, to the position of ‘Amir-I-Akhur’ (Superintendent of the Royal Stable). This became the main cause of discontent among the Turkish chiefs.
• She sent a first expedition against Ranthambhor to control the Rajputs. Then she attacked Gwalior. But both campaigns failed.
• The conflict between the monarchy and the Forty of the Turkish Chiefs had started at the time of Razia Sultan.
• She had ascended the throne with public support, but the ambitious aspirations and conspiracies of the Turks became the main reason for Razia Sultan’s downfall. The main leader among the conspirators was Ikhtiyaruddin Aitigin, whom she had placed in the position of “Amir-I-Hajib.” Two other important conspirators were Malik Altunia, the Governor of Bhatinda (Punjab) appointed by Razia, and Kabir Khan. However, Aitigin and Altunia had the main contribution behind her downfall.
• Malik Altunia killed Yakut and imprisoned Razia in Tabarhinda Fort (Bhatinda, Punjab).
• Taking this opportunity, Muizuddin Bahram Shah was made the ruler of Delhi. When Razia Sultan learned of this, she took advantage of her feminine qualities and married her childhood friend Altunia. Then together they launched a campaign to capture Delhi, but both were defeated by the organized army of Delhi. Razia and Altunia were killed in Kaithal, Haryana, by bandits in October of 1240 AD.
• Minhaj-i-Siraj stated to be “sagacious, just, beneficent, the patron of the learned, a dispenser of justice, the cherisher of her subjects, and warlike talent, and endowed with all the admirable attributes and qualifications necessary for a king.”

You can also read about Kalachuri Dynasty: Founders, Rulers, Capitals and History.

Muizuddin Bahram Shah

• Muizuddin Bahram Shah ruled for a total of two years, one month, and fifteen days.
• The most important event during his reign was the looting of the entire Punjab and the fall of Lahore by the Mongol leader Tair Bahadur in 1241 AD.
• He created a new position called ‘Naib-I-Mamlakat’, and appointed Aitigin to it for the first time.

Alauddin Masud Shah

• Alauddin Masud Shah was the son of Ruknuddin Firoz Shah and grandson of Iltutmish. He ruled for four years, one month, and one day.
• He inscribed the name of the Last Abbasid Caliph Al-Musta’sim of Baghdad on his coins. During his time, the Naib position held more power than the Sultan. At this time, the Naib position was given to Malik Qutbuddin Hasan.
• During Masud Shah’s time, Muhazabuddin was first appointed to the position of Wazir, but later the Turkish Amirs removed him and placed Abu Bakr in that position.
• Balban held the position of Amir-I-Hajib (high-ranking official) during his time. In fact, from Masud Shah’s time, Balban gradually began to increase his own power and political ambition, which resulted in him becoming Sultan later.
• Balban spread rumors that Rajputs and Mongols were about to attack Delhi to place Nasiruddin Mahmud on the throne of the next Sultan, which diverted the attention of the Turkish Amirs towards the Mongols. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Nasiruddin Mahmud and his mother removed Masud Shah from power and imprisoned him, where he eventually died.

You can also read about Chandela Dynasty: History, Founders, Architecture and Rulers.

Nasiruddin Mahmud

• Nasiruddin Mahmud was the grandson of Iltutmish and the last Sultan of the Shamsi dynasty. Minhaj described Nasiruddin as Iltutmish’s youngest son, but that is not correct. He was born in 1229 AD, following the death of Iltutmish’s eldest son. So, he gave his grandson both the name and title of his eldest son.
• And this grandson was considered Iltutmish’s son throughout his life, as this was Iltutmish’s wish.
• Nasiruddin Mahmud’s court poet Minhaj-I-Siraj dedicated his book ‘Tabaqai-I-Nasiri’ to him and created an image of him as a saintly Sultan. Nasiruddin Mahmud has been considered the most ideal Sultan of Delhi as per Tabaqat-e-Nasiri.
• In 1260 AD, envoys of the Mongol leader Hulegu Khan came to Delhi during his time.
• Balban helped Nasiruddin Mahmud a lot in becoming the Sultan of Delhi in 1246 AD. Consequently, in the year 1249, he conferred upon Balban the title of ‘Ulugh Khan’ and the post of Naib, or Governor.

Ghiyas-Ud-Din Balban

• Balban ruled from 1266 to 1287 AD, and the dynasty established by him is called “Balbani Dynasty” or “Second Ilbari Dynasty.”
• Balban’s name is mentioned in the Palam Baoli Inscription composed by Pandita Yogisvara in 1276 AD.
• As soon as he ascended the throne, he declared himself “Niyabat-I-Khudai,” or “Representative of God,” and took the titles “Zil-I-Ilahi,” or “Shadow of God,” and “Ulugh Khan.”
• Balban first introduced the Persian and Iranian festival ‘Nauroz’ (sun worship), which lasted for 19 days.
• Balban claimed to be a descendant of the Iranian king Afrasiyab. He established his own court based on Persian customs. He would not appear in public without well-adorned clothes and a sword to display respect and fear for the king and his monarchy in the royal court.
• In compliance with Persian manners, he introduced “Sijda” (kneeling before the throne) and “Paibos” (kissing the emperor’s feet).
• He prohibited free mingling, gambling, and drinking alcohol at social gatherings for everyone, from subjects to nobles and other royal officials.
• Keeping an eye on blood purity and family prestige, he considered it degrading to associate with anyone who was not of noble lineage.
• Although Balban was an autocratic ruler, he always made sure that every person received equal justice. He employed a spy force in his empire, which was called ‘Barid’. The main task of this spy force was to inform the Sultan about the condition of the subjects in every part of the kingdom and whether anyone was conspiring against the ruler.
• Balban created a position called ‘Diwan-I-Arz’ (military department) for proper management of the military forces and soldiers.
• The law-and-order situation in the area around Delhi and in the Ganga Jamuna Doab and Awadh had deteriorated.
• Balban used diplomacy against Mongols. He, as a naib, sent an envoy to Halaku, who was the most important figure among the successors of Chingez.
• Balban sent an embassy to the Mongol leader Halaku and again in 1260 AD, Halaku sent a return embassy to Balban. The relationship between the Mongols and the Emperor of Delhi came to an end when Halaku passed away in 1266, the year Balban took the throne.

You can also read about Balban Theory of Kingship: Divine Right and Sovereignty.

Muiz-ud-din Qaiqabad or Kaiqubad and Kayumars

• Qaiqabad was the grandson of Balban and the son of Nasiruddin Bughra Khan. With the help of Delhi’s Kotwal Malik al-Umara Fakhruddin, he ascended the throne with the title “Muizzuddin.” With Balban’s death in 1287 AD, the strict disciplinary system of governance built by him collapsed.
• Qaiqabad was always immersed in entertainment. So, all his administrative work was overseen by Malik Nizamuddin, who was subordinate to the position of Naib. But later Malik Nizamuddin was assassinated by poisoning.
• After this, Qaiqabad brought Firuz Al-Din Khilji (Jalaluddin Khilji) to Delhi and gave him the title ‘Shaista Khan’. Later, he appointed Firuz Khilji as the governor of Baran and to the position of “Ariz-I-Mumalik.”
• At the same time when Qaiqabad ruled as Sultan of Delhi, his father assumed the title of Sultan Nasiruddin and became the Sultan of Bengal. Two years later (1289 AD), Bughra Khan came to Awadh to meet his son. The book ‘Qiran-Us-Sadain’ by Amir Khusrow provides information on this meeting.
• While in power, Qaiqabad became paralyzed due to illness, then Malik Aytemur Surkha and Malik Kachhan placed Kayumars, on the throne with the title ‘Shamsuddin II’ who was only two and a half years old.
• According to Yahya Bin Ahmed Sirhindi, Qaiqabad died of starvation on February 1st, 1290 AD, after being neglected, but according to other historians, an official killed him on the orders of Firuz Khilji.
• Kayumars ruled for only 3 months, after which Firuz Al-Din Khilji (Jalaluddin Khilji) deposed him and ascended the throne himself, initiating the Khilji dynasty.

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