📌 Topic 01 of 6 · Chapter 08 · Delhi Sultanate
Slave Dynasty (1206–1290)
Qutb-ud-din Aibak, Iltutmish, Razia Sultana, Balban — administration and achievements.
🏛️ Slave Dynasty — Overview
The Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty was the first dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate (1206–1290 CE). It was founded by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, a former slave (mamluk) of Muhammad Ghori. The dynasty is called “Slave” because its founders were slaves who rose to power.
👑 Key Rulers
1. Qutb-ud-din Aibak (1206–1210)
- Founded Delhi Sultanate in 1206 CE after Muhammad Ghori’s assassination
- Called “Lakh Baksh” (giver of lakhs) for his generosity
- Started construction of Qutb Minar (completed by Iltutmish)
- Built Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque — first mosque in India (1193 CE)
- Built Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra mosque in Ajmer
- Died in 1210 CE while playing polo
2. Iltutmish (1211–1236) — Real Founder
- Son-in-law of Aibak; considered the real founder of Delhi Sultanate
- Received recognition (Khilat) from Caliph of Baghdad (1229) — legitimised his rule
- Completed Qutb Minar
- Introduced Iqta system — land revenue assignment to officials
- Introduced silver tanka and copper jital — standardised currency
- Saved Delhi from Mongol invasion by refusing to shelter Jalal-ud-din Mangbarni
- Nominated his daughter Razia as successor
3. Razia Sultana (1236–1240)
- First and only woman ruler of Delhi Sultanate
- Discarded purdah; appeared in public without veil; rode elephants
- Appointed Malik Yakut (Abyssinian) as her favourite — angered Turkish nobles
- Overthrown by Turkish nobles; killed in 1240 CE
4. Balban (1266–1287)
- Established iron-fisted rule — theory of kingship: king is Shadow of God (Zil-i-Ilahi)
- Introduced Persian court etiquette: sijda (prostration) and paibos (kissing feet)
- Crushed the Chalisa (Forty) — group of powerful Turkish nobles
- Established Diwan-i-Arz (military department)
- Suppressed rebellions ruthlessly — “blood and iron” policy
⭐ Iqta System: Introduced by Iltutmish, the Iqta system assigned land revenue collection rights (Iqtas) to officials (Iqtadars/Muqtis) instead of cash salaries. The Iqtadar collected revenue from the assigned territory and kept a portion as salary. This system continued throughout the Sultanate period and was similar to the jagir system of the Mughals.
📝 Exam Tip:
• Aibak = “Lakh Baksh”; started Qutb Minar; died playing polo (1210)
• Iltutmish = real founder; Iqta system; silver tanka; Caliph recognition (1229)
• Razia Sultana = first woman ruler; discarded purdah; Malik Yakut
• Balban = Zil-i-Ilahi; sijda and paibos; crushed Chalisa (Forty)
• Aibak = “Lakh Baksh”; started Qutb Minar; died playing polo (1210)
• Iltutmish = real founder; Iqta system; silver tanka; Caliph recognition (1229)
• Razia Sultana = first woman ruler; discarded purdah; Malik Yakut
• Balban = Zil-i-Ilahi; sijda and paibos; crushed Chalisa (Forty)