Sultanate Period in India

The Background of Delhi Sultanate

Arab Invasion

First Arab Invasion on India by Muhammad Bin Kasim in 712 AD.
He defeated the Hindu ruler Dahir of Sindh. Dahir was the last hindu ruler of Sindh.
He conquered Sindh and Multan region along the Indus River.

Mahmud of Ghazni

Alptigin was semi-independent governor of Ghazna. He was father-in-law of Sebuktigin who killed him in a battle and founded Ghaznavid Empire.
Mahmud Ghazni was son of Sebuktigin.
He ruled in Khorasan.
He was enthroned in the age of 27 year old in 997 AD.
He received a robe from Baghdad Caliph Al-Qadir and took the titled Yamin-ud-Dawla wa Amin al-Milla.
He was the first ruler who held the title of ‘Sultan’ (Authority).
He invaded India 17 times.
The first invasion on India in 1001 AD. It was the Battle of Peshawar between Mahmud Ghazni and Raja Jayapala. Mahmud Ghazni got the Victory.
In 1025, He sacked Somnath Temple (Saurashtra, Gujarat) and looted around 20 lakh dinars from that place during the reign of Bhima I (ruler of Chalukya of Gujarat) who was fled away.
When he was returned back passing through the Jats territory, then Jats of Jood Mountains harried his army and recovered some acquisition from him and he was managed to slip away with his army. It was the first defeat of him.
He was died in 1030 AD.
Famous poet of his court – Albrauni, Firdausi, Utbi and Faruqi

Muhammad of Ghor / Shihab ad-din

He was the ruler of Ghurid Dynasty.
He was became ruler in 1173 with his brother Ghiyath ad-din Muhammad.
He became sole ruler in 1202 after the death of his brother.
First time he invaded India in 1175 AD. He captured Multan.
Second time he invaded in 1178 AD. It was Battle of Kayadara between Ghori and Chalukya of Gujarat king Mularaja II. Chalukya got victory.
First Battle of Tarain (1191 AD) between Ghori and Prithviraj Chauhan king of Chahamana (Chauhan) Dynasty . Prithviraj Chauhan got Victory.
Second Battle of Tarain (1192 AD) between Ghori and Prithviraj Chauhan. Ghori got the Victory.
Battle of Chandawar (1194 AD) between Ghori and Jayachand (King of Gahadavala Dynasty). Ghori got the Victory. Chandawar is near Etawah (U.P.) at present.
He laid the foundation of Muslim in India. He gave the power to his slave commander Qutubuddin Aibak and returned back to Ghazni. Qutubuddin Aibak became first sultan of Delhi. Then start the phase of Delhi Sultanate.
He was assasinated in 1206 AD.

Delhi Sultanate (1206 AD-1526 AD)

Mamluk Dynasty/ Slave Dynasty (1206-90 AD)

Qutubuddin Aibak (1206-10)

Founder of Mamluk Dynasty
He was the first ruler who held the title of ‘Sultan’ of Delhi.
Capital – Lahore
He laid the foundation of Qutub Minar in Mehrauli, Delhi in the memory of Sufi Saint Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki.
He also built Quwwat-ul-islam Mosque, Delhi and Adhai din ka Jhopra mosque in Ajmer.
Nalanda University destructed by his military general Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji.
Death in 1210 AD and buried in Lahore.
He succeded by Aram Shah but he did work upto 8 month because he was killed by Shamsuddin Iltumish and took over the reign.

Shamsuddin iltumish (1211-36)

He was belonged to ilbari tribe of Turkmenistan.
He was the governor of Badaun under the rule of Sultan Qutubuddin Aibak.
He transferred capital Lahore to Delhi.
He built Jama Masjid (Great Mosque) in Badaun (U.P.), Hauz-i-Shamsi (Watertank) at Mehrauli in Delhi, Sultan-e-Garhi in the memory of his death of oldest son Nasir ud-din Mahmud in Delhi. Sultan Garhi was the first Islamic Mausoleum in Delhi.
He was the first ruler of Delhi who received the robe by Baghdad Caliph Al-Mustansir Billah and got the tiltled ‘Yamin Amir al-Muminin’.
He introduced the silver coin (tanka) and copper coin (jital). He organized ‘Iqta System’.
In 1221, He saved Delhi Sultanate from the wrath of Genghiz Khan (Mongol King), by refusing the shelter to Khwarazmid's King Jalal ad-Din Mingburnu, whom Genghiz Khan was chasing.
He was died in 1236 AD buried in Qutb Complex at Mehrauli in Delhi and named as Iltumish Tomb.

Rukuddin – 1236

He was son of Iltumish and was crowned by her mother Shah Turkan, after the death of Iltumish. He was deposed by Razia Sultan , daughter of Iltumish when he was out of capital to curb a rebellion in Avadh against him.

Razia Sultan (1236-40)

She was first women ruler of Mumluk Dynasty and Muslim.
She abdicated the Parda Pratha and wore Choga and Kullah just like man.
She appointed Malik Jamaluddin Yakoot as an Amir-e-Akhnoor.
She was married with Malik ikhtiyar ud-din Altunia, Governor of Bhatinda.
Muiz ud din Bahram half brother of Razia Sultan, had usurped the throne.
She tried to regain the throne with her husband but they were arrested and executed.
Muiz ud din Bahram (1240-42)
He was assassinated by his army and succeeded by his nephew Alauddin Masud, sson of Ruknuddin.

Alauddin Masud (1242-46)

He replaced with his cousin Nasiruddin Mahmood by chiefs.
Mongol plundered Lahore in 1246.

Nasiruddin Mahmood (1246-66)

He was the son of Nasiruddin Mahmood who died in 1229.
He was grandson of Iltumish.
He married to daughter of Balban who was the slave of Iltumish and became wazir in his rule.
He was most religious and most of the times spent in prayer and copying Quran.
He had no children and after death of him, balban was succeeded by him.

Ghiyasuddin Balban (1266-87)

The original name was Bahauddin.
He was most powerful Sultan between Iltumish and Alauddin Khilji.
He saved Delhi Sultanate from Mongol.
He introduced Sijida (prostration before the monarch) and Paibos (Kissing the feet of Monarch) as the normal form of Salutation.
He started Persian festival Navroj.
Famous poet of his court – Amir Khusrau and Amir Hassan
He established the Military Department Diwan-i-Arz.
His son Muhammad Khan died in the battle with Mongols in 1285.
He succeded by his grandson Muiz ud din Qaiqabad.

Muiz ud din Qaiqabad (1287-90)

He was son of independent sultan of Bengal Bughra Khan who was son of Ghiyasuddin Balban.
He became ruler instead he was 17 year old.
He was assassinated by Jallaludin Khalji and his son Shams ud-Din Kayumars also murdered by him.

Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320)

Jalal ud din Firuz Khalji (1290-96)

He was the founder of Khalji Dynasty.
He was ruling from Kilokheri.
He was assassinated by his nephew Allauddin khilji.
His courtier Amir Khusrau wrote Miftah-ul-Futuh to commemorate of his victories.

Alauddin Khilji (1296-1316)

He was nephew and son-in-law of Jalal ud din Firuz Khilji.
His nickname was Ali Gurshap.
He annexed Gujarat (1298), Ranthambhor (1301), Mewar(1303), Malwa (1305), Jalor (1305).In Deccan, Allauddin’s army led by Malik Kafur defeatedRamchandra (Yadava Ruler of Devanagri), Pratap Rudradeva (Kakatiya ruler of Warangel), Vir Ballal III (Hoyasala Ruler of Dwarsamudra) and Vir Pandya (Pandya ruler of Madurai).
In order to avoid the problems created by nobles. Alauddin issued 4 ordinances.
1^st ordinance aimed at the confiscation of the religious endowments and free grant of lands.
2^nd ordinance recognized the spy system.
3^rd ordinance prohibited the use of Wine.
4^th ordinance laid down that nobles should not have social gathering and they should not inter marry without his permission.
He introduced Dagh (the branding of horse) and Chehra (descriptive roll of soldiers).
Post of special officer called Mutakharaj was created for the purpose of collection of revenue.
The Peasants had to pay the produce as land revenue.
Alauddin sought to fix cost of all commodities. For all purpose he set up 3 markets at Delhi: one market for food grains, the second for costly cloth and third for horses, slaves and cattle. Each market was under the control of high officer called Shahna who maintained a register of the merchants and strictly controlled the shopkeepers and the prices. The check on market was kept by two officers – Diwan-i-Riyasat and Shahna-i-Mandi.
New type of taxes introduced by him i.e. Charai (Residence) and Ghari (Grazing).
All goods for sale were brought to open market called Sara-i-adal.
He built Alai Darwaja, Entrance gate of Qutub Minar and Hazar Sutun (place of 1000 pillars) and Siri fort.
Amir Khusarau was favorite poet of his court.
Poems – Khazain ul Futuh (The Treasury of Victory)by Amir Khusrau, Rihla (travel litrature) by Ibn Batuta, Futuh-us-Salatin (History of Muslim Conquest of India) by Abdul Malik Ismami.
Mongol did last invasion in India.
In 1316,after death of Alauddin , Malik Kafur called Hazardinari seized the throne. Before Kafur died, He nominated Shihabuddin (Alauddin 6 year old prince) as King but imprisoned the eldest prince Mubarak Khan. He was killed by his loyalists of the royal family of Alauddin.

Mubarak Khan (1316-20)

When he was freed from prison he captured the throne in first opportunity and became Sultan.
He was assassinated by his minister Khusrau Khan.

Khusrau Khan (1320)

He was killed by Ghazi Malik, Governor of Dipalpur and established Tughluq Dynasty.

Tughluq Dynasty (1320-1414)

Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (1320-25)

He was the founder of Tughluq Dynasty.
He was known as Ghazi Malik.
He defeated Mongol 29 times.
He built wells and canals for irrigation.
He established the Tughlaqabad fort in Delhi.
He was died in accident and his son jauna (ulugh Khan) succeeded him under the title Mohammad bin Tughlaq.

Mohammad bin Tughluq (1325-51)

He worked in five projects:-

1. Taxation in the Doab (1326)

2. Transfer of Capital (1327) – Delhi to Devagiri and renamed the Daulatabad.

3. Introduction of Token Currency (1329)

4. Proposed Khurasan Expedition (1329)

5. Proposed Qarachil Expedition (1330)

Ibn Batuta African Pilgrm came in India During his reign in 1333 AD.
He sent Ibn Batuta to China in the form of Ambassador.
During his reign, two brothers Harihar and Bukka laid the foundation of Vijayanagar Empire in 1336 AD.
Alauddin Bahman Shah laid the foundation of Bahamani Sulatnate (Muslim state of Deccan in South India).
He was pupil of Sheikh Alauddin. He was first sultan who went the dargah of Sheikh Moinuddin Chisti (Ajmer) and Saalar Masood Ghazi (Bahraich, U.P.).
He built mausoleums of saints Nizamuddin Auliya (Delhi), Miran Mulhim (Badaun) etc.

Firoz shah Tughlaq (1351-88)

He was cousin of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.Nobles and Chief selected Firoz Shah as the next Sultan after the death of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
The coronation of Firoz Shah occurred in 1351 by Caliph at Thatta in Sindh and got the title of Qasim amir ul Mommin.
He abolished 24 grievous tax and permitted to 4 tax only i.e. Kharaz (lagaan), Khums (tax on looted money), Zaziya and Jakat.
He established 300 towns. Main towns are Hissar, Firozabad, Fatehabad, Jaunpur, Firozpur.
He established Diwan-i-Khairat (Deptt. of Charity).
He established Diwan-i-Bandgan (Deptt. of Slaves).
He wrote Futuhat-e-firozshahi.
He was establish Firoz Shah Kotla .
He built Firoz Shah Palace complex.
He died in 1388 AD and buried in Hauz Khas Complex in Delhi.
Nasiruddin Muhammad Shah Tughlaq was the last ruler of Tughlaq Dynasty in Delhi. During his reign, Timur invaded India and looted Delhi in 1398 AD.

Sayyid Dynasty (1414-50)

Khizr Khan (1414-21)

He was the founder of Sayyid Dynasty.
He was governor of Multan under Tughlaq ruler.
He got the titled himself Rayat-i-ala and Masnad-i-ali.

Mubarak Shah (1421-34)

Tarikh-i-Mubarak Shahi wriiten by Yahya bin Ahmed Sirhindi.
Yahya was poet of his court.

Muhammad Shah (1434-43)

Alam Shah (1443-51) He was Last Sayyid King.

Lodhi Dynasty (1451-1526)

Bahlol Lodhi (1451-88)

He was Afghan Sardar and established himself in Punjab after the invasion of timur.
He founded the Lodhi Dynasty.

Sikander lodhi (1489-1517)

He was son of Bahlol Lodhi who conquered in Bihar and West Bengal.
He shifted capital Delhi to Agra(a city founded by him).
He was a fanatical muslim and broke the Jwalamukhi Temple at Nagarkot and ordered the temples of Mathura to be destroyed.
He introduced Gaz-i-Sikandari (Yard of Sikander) of 32 digit for measuring cultivated fields.

Ibrahim Lodhi (1517-26)

He was son of sikander lodhi.
He was the last ruler of Lodhi dynasty and last sultan of Delhi.
First Battle of Panipat beween Lodhi and Babur in 1526 AD. Babur got the victory and ended the Lodhi Kingdom.

Central Administration of Delhi Sultanate

Departments	Head (Founders)
Diwan-i-Wizarat (Finance)	Wazir
Diwan-i-Ariz (Military)	Ariz-i-Mumalik
Diwan-i-Insha (Correspondance)	Dabir-i-Mumalik
Diwan-i-Risalat (Appeals)	Dabir-i-Mulq
Diwan-i-Mustakharaj (Arrears)	Alauddin Khilji
Diwan-i-Riyasat (Commerce)	Rais-i-Mumalik (Founded by Alauddin Khilji)
Diwan-i-Kohi (Agriculture)	Mohd. Bin Tughlaq
Diwan-i-Bandgan (Slaves)	Firoz Shah Tughlaq
Diwan-i-Khairat (Charity)	Firoz Shah Tughlaq
Diwan-i-Ishtiaq (Pensions)	Firoz Shah Tughlaq