Question

How was the Slave dynasty established? Mention its important rulers and describe one of them.

Answer 1

The Slave (Mamluk) dynasty was founded after Muhammad Ghori’s death in AD 1206, when his Indian viceroy Qutb-ud-din Aibak (one of Ghori’s Turkish slaves) took control of the territories in India and established himself as ruler,thus beginning the Mamluk or Slave dynasty of Delhi.

Important rulers

• Qutb-ud-din Aibak (founder).
• Iltutmish (who secured and consolidated the Sultanate after Aibak).
• Razia (Razia Sultan, Iltutmish’s daughter and the notable woman ruler).
• Ghiyas-ud-din Balban (a strong later ruler who restored authority and brought stability).

A description of one ruler - Iltutmish Iltutmish, who became ruler after a short, unsettled period following Aibak’s death, is generally regarded as the statesman who consolidated the new Sultanate. He suppressed revolts by Turkish nobles, subdued regional rulers in Punjab and Multan, crushed a rebel governor in Bengal, and expanded control into parts of central India (Ujjain, Malwa, Gwalior). To increase the dynasty’s prestige he obtained recognition as sovereign from the Caliph of Baghdad and issued gold and silver coins in his name. He also acted cautiously toward the Mongol danger (refusing to shelter the deposed Shah of Persia) and is often credited with bringing stability and organization to the early Delhi Sultanate.