History — Delhi Sultanate

दिल्ली सल्तनत — स्थापना एवं गुलाम वंश

The Delhi Sultanate broadly refers to the succession of Muslim dynasties that ruled large parts of northern India from 1206 to 1526 CE.

दिल्ली सल्तनत से सामान्यतः उन मुस्लिम राजवंशों का तात्पर्य है जिन्होंने 1206 से 1526 ई. तक उत्तर भारत के बड़े हिस्से पर शासन किया।

Five major dynasties were:

Mamluk/Slave Dynasty — 1206–1290

Khalji Dynasty — 1290–1320

Tughlaq Dynasty — 1320–1414

Sayyid Dynasty — 1414–1451

Lodi Dynasty — 1451–1526

Muhammad Ghori / मुहम्मद गोरी

The battles of Tarain were important in the political developments preceding the Delhi Sultanate.

First Battle of Tarain — 1191

Prithviraj Chauhan defeated Muhammad Ghori.

Second Battle of Tarain — 1192

Muhammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan.

1192 is therefore an extremely important exam date.

Qutb-ud-din Aibak / कुतुबुद्दीन ऐबक

After Muhammad Ghori's death, Qutb-ud-din Aibak established an independent position in India in 1206.

He is generally regarded as the founder of the Mamluk or Slave Dynasty in Delhi.

उसे दिल्ली में गुलाम वंश का संस्थापक माना जाता है।

He was known as:

Lakh Baksh / लाख बख्श

because of his generosity.

Qutub Minar

Construction of the Qutub Minar was begun by Qutb-ud-din Aibak.

It was substantially completed by:

Iltutmish

कुतुब मीनार का निर्माण कुतुबुद्दीन ऐबक ने प्रारंभ कराया और इल्तुतमिश ने इसे आगे पूरा कराया।

Iltutmish / इल्तुतमिश

Iltutmish was one of the most important early Delhi Sultans.

इल्तुतमिश प्रारंभिक दिल्ली सल्तनत का अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण शासक था।

He strengthened and consolidated the Sultanate.

He introduced/standardised important coinage associated with:

Silver Tanka / चाँदी का टंका

Copper Jital / तांबे का जीतल

Iqta System / इक्ता व्यवस्था

The Iqta system became an important feature of Sultanate administration.

इक्ता व्यवस्था सल्तनत प्रशासन की महत्वपूर्ण विशेषता बनी।

Revenue assignments called Iqtas were given to officials/military commanders in return for administrative and military responsibilities.

Razia Sultan / रजिया सुल्तान

Iltutmish nominated his daughter Razia as a capable successor.

Razia ruled from 1236 to 1240 CE.

रजिया दिल्ली सल्तनत की प्रसिद्ध महिला शासक थी।

She faced opposition from powerful Turkish nobles.

Balban / बलबन

Ghiyasuddin Balban was another powerful ruler of the Mamluk dynasty.

He emphasised strong kingship and royal authority.

बलबन ने सुल्तान की शक्ति और प्रतिष्ठा को मजबूत करने पर विशेष जोर दिया।

He is associated with the policy often described as:

Blood and Iron / रक्त और लौह

His court emphasized strict discipline and royal dignity.

Chahalgani / चहलगानी

A group of powerful Turkish nobles associated with Iltutmish's period became known as the Chahalgani or Corps of Forty.

इसे तुर्कान-ए-चहलगानी या चालीसा भी कहा जाता है।

Delhi Sultanate Practice — 30 Questions

Q1

Delhi Sultanate conventionally began in:

A. 1191
B. 1192
C. 1206
D. 1290

Answer: C

Q2

Who founded the Mamluk/Slave dynasty in Delhi?

Answer: Qutb-ud-din Aibak

Q3

First Battle of Tarain was fought in:

Answer: 1191

Q4

Second Battle of Tarain was fought in:

Answer: 1192

Q5

Who won the First Battle of Tarain?

Answer: Prithviraj Chauhan

Q6

Who won the Second Battle of Tarain?

Answer: Muhammad Ghori

Q7

“Lakh Baksh” was a title associated with:

Answer: Qutb-ud-din Aibak

Q8

Who began construction of Qutub Minar?

Answer: Qutb-ud-din Aibak

Q9

Who substantially completed Qutub Minar after Aibak?

Answer: Iltutmish

Q10

Who consolidated the early Delhi Sultanate?

Answer: Iltutmish

Q11

Silver coin associated with Iltutmish:

Answer: Tanka

Q12

Copper coin associated with Iltutmish:

Answer: Jital

Q13

Razia was the daughter of:

Answer: Iltutmish

Q14

Razia ruled during:

A. 1206–1210
B. 1236–1240
C. 1266–1287
D. 1290–1296

Answer: B

Q15

The group of forty Turkish nobles was called:

Answer: Chahalgani

Q16

Balban belonged to:

Answer: Mamluk/Slave Dynasty

Q17

Which ruler strongly emphasized royal authority?

Answer: Balban

Q18

“Blood and Iron” is associated with:

Answer: Balban

Q19

Iqta was primarily:

A. Revenue assignment
B. Temple tax only
C. Coin
D. Fort

Answer: A

Q20

Which dynasty followed the Slave dynasty?

Answer: Khalji dynasty

Q21

Slave dynasty ended approximately in:

Answer: 1290

Q22

Khalji dynasty ruled after:

Answer: Mamluk dynasty

Q23

Correct chronological order:

A. Iltutmish → Aibak → Razia
B. Aibak → Iltutmish → Razia
C. Razia → Aibak → Balban
D. Balban → Aibak → Iltutmish

Answer: B

Q24

Who ruled immediately before the establishment of Aibak's independent Sultanate context?

Answer: Muhammad Ghori was Aibak's former master.

Q25

Which ruler died while playing chaugan/polo?

Answer: Qutb-ud-din Aibak

Q26

Razia faced strong opposition from:

Answer: Turkish nobles

Q27

Which Sultan tried to reduce the influence of powerful nobles and exalt monarchy?

Answer: Balban

Q28

Which of these was NOT a Delhi Sultanate dynasty?

A. Khalji
B. Tughlaq
C. Lodi
D. Chola

Answer: D

Q29

Last dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate was:

Answer: Lodi

Q30

Delhi Sultanate ended conventionally in 1526 after:

Answer: First Battle of Panipat / पानीपत का प्रथम युद्ध