Delhi Sultanate: Rise, Rule, and Legacy

Delhi became the capital of mighty kingdoms only in the 12th century. From Rajputs to the Sultans, the city grew into the centre of politics, trade, and culture.

1. Early Delhi (Rajput Dynasties)

Tomaras (early 12th c.–1165) – first to make Delhi their capital.
Chauhans (1165–1192) – ruled after defeating Tomaras; famous ruler: Prithviraj Chauhan (1175–1192).
Delhi became a commercial hub – Jain merchants built temples, coins called dehliwal circulated widely.

you can still see their legacy in monuments like the Qutb Minar (ASI) which was begun by Qutbuddin Aybak and later completed by Iltutmish the Known Rulers of Delhi Sultanate .

2. Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)

Five dynasties ruled:

Early Turkish Rulers (1206–1290) – Qutbuddin Aybak, Iltutmish, Raziyya, Balban.
Khalji Dynasty (1290–1320) – Alauddin Khalji.
Tughluq Dynasty (1320–1414) – Muhammad Tughluq, Firuz Shah Tughluq.
Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451) – Khizr Khan.
Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526) – Bahlul Lodi, Ibrahim Lodi (last Sultan, 1526).

🏰 New cities built: Dehli-i Kuhna, Siri, Jahanpanah.

3. Chronicles (Tawarikh)

Histories written in Persian, by secretaries, courtiers, poets.
Purpose: record events + advise rulers.
Mostly written to please Sultans (for rewards).
Favoured birthright (rule by nobles) and gender distinctions (men > women).

Fakhr-i Mudabbir (13th century)

Spoke of the “Circle of Justice”:
- King needs soldiers → soldiers need salaries → salaries come from peasants → peasants prosper only under a just king.
  👉 Shows interdependence of king, soldiers, and peasants.

4. Raziyya (1236–1240)

Daughter of Iltutmish, more capable than her brothers.
Chronicler Minhaj-i Siraj admired her abilities but opposed women rulers.
Raziyya ruled in her own name as “daughter of Iltutmish”.
Nobles opposed her independence → removed from throne.

Other women rulers:

Rudramadevi (1262–1289, Warangal) – disguised herself as a man.
Didda (980–1003, Kashmir) – affectionately called “Didi” (elder sister) by subjects.

5. Administration of Khaljis & Tughluqs

Use of Slaves (Bandagan)

Trained slaves (bandagan) held top posts → loyal to the Sultan.
Saying: “A worthy slave is better than a son” (sons could rebel).

Appointments of Humble People

Eg. Muhammad Tughluq appointed a wine distiller, barber, cook, gardeners to high offices.
Chronicler Ziyauddin Barani criticised him for bad judgment.

Iqta System

Land = iqta; holder = muqti/iqtadar.
Duties: maintain soldiers, collect revenue, keep order.
Strict rules:
- Posts not inheritable, shifted often.
- Accountants checked taxes.

Revenue

Alauddin Khalji brought revenue collection under state control.
Taxes:
1. Kharaj (≈ 50% crop produce).
2. On cattle.
3. On houses.

6. Chieftains’ Defence (Ibn Battuta, 14th c.)

Fortified in mountains, rocky places, bamboo groves.
Bamboo: thick, fire-resistant.
Stored rainwater, kept cattle & crops inside → self-sufficient forts.
Could only be defeated by large armies with special tools.

7. Mongol Threat to Delhi Sultanate

Mongols under Genghis Khan invaded Transoxiana (1219).
Attacks increased under Alauddin Khalji & Muhammad Tughluq.
Forced rulers to keep large standing armies → heavy expenses.

8. Later Phase & Sher Shah Sur

After Tughluqs, came Sayyids and Lodis.
By then, many independent states: Jaunpur, Bengal, Malwa, Gujarat, Rajasthan, South India.
New ruling groups: Afghans, Rajputs.
Ibrahim Lodi (last Sultan, 1526) – defeated by Babur at First Battle of Panipat → start of Mughal Empire.

Sher Shah Sur (1540–1545)

Began as a manager in Bihar → defeated Humayun.
Ruled Delhi Sultanate for 15 years, introduced efficient administration.
His system later inspired Akbar (1556–1605).

Key Takeaways: Delhi Sultanate

Delhi rose from a Rajput trade centre to the heart of empires.
Chronicles give insight but were often biased.
Raziyya’s rule shows struggles against gender bias.
Administration relied on slaves, iqta system, and revenue control.
Chieftains used natural defences; Mongols posed major threats.
Ibrahim Lodi was the last Sultan; Sher Shah Sur laid foundations for Mughal reforms.

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