Overview
The Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526 AD) was the first Muslim empire to rule most of northern India. It comprised five successive dynasties that ruled from Delhi for 320 years. The Sultanate introduced Persian administrative and cultural practices into India, marked the beginning of Indo-Islamic architecture, and resisted the Mongol invasions that devastated Central Asia, Persia, and Mesopotamia.
The Five Dynasties
| Dynasty | Period | Key Ruler |
|---|---|---|
| Slave/Mamluk | 1206–1290 | Qutb-ud-din Aibak, Iltutmish, Balban |
| Khalji | 1290–1320 | Alauddin Khalji |
| Tughlaq | 1320–1414 | Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Firoz Shah Tughlaq |
| Sayyid | 1414–1451 | Khizr Khan |
| Lodi | 1451–1526 | Ibrahim Lodi |
Slave Dynasty (1206–1290)
Qutb-ud-din Aibak (1206–1210): Founded the Sultanate; began the Qutb Minar complex; earned the title "Lakh Baksh" (giver of lakhs) for his generosity. Died playing polo.
Iltutmish (1211–1236): Consolidated the Sultanate; completed the Qutb Minar; introduced the silver tanka and copper jital coins; received the letter of investiture from the Caliph of Baghdad, legitimizing his rule.
Raziya Sultana (1236–1240): First and only female sultan of Delhi; highly capable but unable to overcome opposition from Turkish nobles (Chahalgani — group of forty).
Balban (1266–1287): Restored the prestige of the Sultan; crushed the power of the Chahalgani; introduced Persian court rituals (Sijda — prostration, Paibos — kissing feet); maintained strict discipline.
Khalji Dynasty (1290–1320)
Alauddin Khalji (1296–1316) was the most powerful Delhi Sultan. His achievements:
- Market price control: Four regulated markets in Delhi with fixed prices for all commodities. Enforced by market controllers (Shahna-i-Mandi) and spies. Grain was cheap, enabling him to maintain a large standing army at low cost.
- Revenue reforms: Land revenue raised to half the produce.
- Military: Repelled five Mongol invasions; conquered Gujarat, Rajputana (Chittor), Deccan (Devagiri), and south India under general Malik Kafur.
- Built Alai Darwaza (gateway) at the Qutb complex.
Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414)
Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325–1351): An intelligent but erratic ruler. Famous for:
- Transfer of capital from Delhi to Devagiri (renamed Daulatabad) in Maharashtra — forced entire population to walk 1,500 km; reversed it a few years later.
- Token currency experiment: brass coins at the value of gold coins; failed due to widespread counterfeiting.
- Proposed agricultural reforms and expansion into China and Khorasan — both failed.
- Described by Ibn Battuta (Moroccan traveller who visited his court) as a complex ruler.
Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351–1388): More benevolent ruler. Built canals, hospitals, and free towns for the poor. Translated Sanskrit texts into Persian. But was intolerant of non-Sunni Muslims.
Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526)
Ibrahim Lodi (1517–1526) was the last Delhi Sultan. Unpopular and tyrannical, he faced a rebellion by his nobles. Daulat Khan Lodi and uncle Alam Khan invited Babur to invade. At the First Battle of Panipat (1526), Babur defeated and killed Ibrahim Lodi, ending the Delhi Sultanate and beginning the Mughal Empire.
Important for Exam - Delhi Sultanate founded by Qutb-ud-din Aibak in 1206 - Qutb Minar — started by Aibak, completed by Iltutmish - Silver tanka introduced by Iltutmish - Market reforms = Alauddin Khalji (four markets, fixed prices) - Shifted capital to Devagiri = Muhammad bin Tughlaq - Last sultan = Ibrahim Lodi; defeated at Panipat 1526
Previous Year TNPSC Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
Q1
Who founded the Delhi Sultanate?
Q2
The Qutb Minar in Delhi was built by?
Q3
Who introduced the silver coin "Tanka" in the Delhi Sultanate?
Q4
Which Delhi Sultan is known for his market price control reforms?
Q5
The last ruler of the Delhi Sultanate was?
Q6
Which sultan shifted the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and then moved it back?