3.1 Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty (1206–1290 CE)

3.1 Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty (1206–1290 CE)

• Called "Slave Dynasty" because several of its rulers began as Turkish slaves (Mamluks) who rose to power. (Note: not all rulers were literally slaves — this is a simplified/traditional term; some historians prefer "Ilbari" or "Mamluk" dynasty/dynasties.)

Key Rulers

Qutbuddin Aibak (1206–1210 CE)

• Former slave of Muhammad Ghori; became independent ruler of Delhi after Ghori's death (1206 CE) — founder of the Delhi Sultanate.
• Capital: Lahore (initially), later Delhi.
• Started construction of the Qutub Minar (Delhi) in honour of Sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (completed later by Iltutmish).
• Built the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque (Delhi) — first mosque built by the Delhi Sultans, and the Adhai Din ka Jhonpra mosque (Ajmer).
• Known as "Lakh Baksh" (giver of lakhs) for his generosity.
• Died in 1210 CE by falling from a horse while playing Chaugan (polo) at Lahore.

Iltutmish (1211–1236 CE)

• Son-in-law of Aibak; real consolidator of the Delhi Sultanate; considered the true founder of Sultanate administration.
• Made Delhi the capital (shifted from Lahore).
• Completed the Qutub Minar.
• Introduced the Iqta system (land assignments to nobles/military officers in lieu of salary, in exchange for military/administrative service) — foundational to Sultanate administration.
• Introduced Sultanate coinage: silver Tanka and copper Jital.
• Organized the "Chahalgani" or "Turkan-i-Chahalgani" (Group/Corps of Forty Turkish nobles) to assist administration.
• Got recognition (a robe of honour/manshur) from the Abbasid Caliph of Baghdad in 1229 CE, legitimizing his rule.
• Successfully defended Delhi against Mongol invasions under Chengiz Khan (who pursued the fleeing Khwarazmian prince Jalaluddin Mangbarni to the Indus, c. 1221, but Iltutmish diplomatically avoided direct confrontation).
• Nominated his daughter Raziya Sultan as his successor (unusual for the time) due to the incompetence of his sons.

Raziya Sultan (1236–1240 CE)

• First and only woman ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.
• Capable administrator, but faced opposition from Turkish nobles (the "Chahalgani") due to her gender and her closeness to an Abyssinian noble, Yaqut.
• Deposed and eventually killed in 1240 CE.

Ghiyasuddin Balban (1266–1287 CE)

• Originally a member of the Chahalgani (Chalisa/Forty); rose to power as a powerful noble/regent before becoming Sultan.
• Broke the power of the "Chahalgani" (Forty nobles) through ruthless measures ("blood and iron" policy) to strengthen royal authority.
• Introduced Persian court ceremonies: Sijda (prostration) and Paibos (kissing the monarch's feet) to enhance the prestige/divinity of kingship.
• Organized a strong spy system (barid) and military department (Diwan-i-Arz) to control nobles and defend against Mongol raids.
• Propounded the theory of kingship as "Zil-i-Ilahi" (Shadow of God on Earth).
• Wrote (or is associated with) the concept in Persian political theory that combined Perso-Islamic kingship traditions.

Key Facts / Quick Revision Points — Slave Dynasty

• Qutbuddin Aibak: founder; started Qutub Minar; died playing Chaugan (polo).
• Iltutmish: completed Qutub Minar; introduced Iqta system, Tanka & Jital coins, Chahalgani; recognition from Abbasid Caliph (1229).
• Raziya Sultan: only woman Sultan of Delhi (1236–1240).
• Balban: "blood and iron" policy; Sijda & Paibos; Zil-i-Ilahi theory; broke power of Chahalgani.