Slave Dynasty in India

The Muslim religion was introduced in India with the establishment of Turkish rule. Delhi became the first capital under Turkish rule. Muhammad of Ghur used to raid in India and eventually conquered Delhi. Qutb-ud-din Aibak, slave cum lieutenant assisted him in those expeditions. With the introduction of `Mamluks`scheme(Material slavery), Aybak became advantageous to rise up out of his birth status and achieved the right for higher position. This trusted slave of Muhammad Ghur became the incharge of North India. After the death of Ghur, Aybak became his successor. When Aybak, the slave raised to the status of sultan, the equality concept in Islam reached to its highest position. The Slave Dynasty served as the first Turkish Dynasty in India from 1206 to 1290. 


Qutb-ud-din Aibak excercised his rule over the provisions where he was the Ghori`s local receiver-general during the periodic expeditions. He initially ruled from Lohor to Delhi later develoved as capital. Aybak During his period took initiative to construct Delhi`s Earliest monuments, the `Qutub Minar` and the `Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque` (the fisrt mosque in Delhi). But these monuments remained incomplete as Aybak died accidentally in 1210. Aram shah, the successor of Aybak turned to be an incapable ruler.The Sultanate of Delhi was facing some internal problems that time. The `Chihalgani` or the `Corp of Forty` invited Shams-ud-din iltutmish to replace Aram Shah. 


Iltutmish,the successor of Aybak completed his unfinished works.The column was named after Khwaja Qutub-ud-din.A mosque was also built on Sultan`s order.This Turkish slave turned Sultan, married to Aybak`s daughter. Afet becoming the Sultan, Iltutmish faced a feeling of indignation from the Amirs of Delhi. But he managed the resentment strongly.During the reign of Iltutmish, the Mongols attacked India for the first time under the leadership of Genghis Khan.In 1236 iltutmish died. He nominated his daughter Raziya as his heirness on his death bed. Sultana Raziya and her husband Altunia were killed in their way to Delhi as the nobels of the court disagrees to bow their hand infront of a women. They offered the throne to Iltutmish`s surviving son Rukh-ud-din Firuz. Bahram and Masad,next to successors were incompetent. The youngest son of Iltutmish, Nasiruddin Mahmud was raised as the sultan in 1246.Mahmud used to spend more of his time in prayers. So that state affairs were managed by his Prime minister Ghiyas ud din Balban. 


Balban declared himself the sultan after the death of Nasiruddin. He paid more attention to the production of Weapons.He broke down the `Chihalgani`.He ruled from 1266 till his death with a strong hand as he believed that the king should be very powerful. Balban adopted a blood and iron policy to maintain peace. He completed the task which were started by Iltutmish.He made the muslim rule in India so strong that it lasted in one form or the other till 1857. Balban`s two son,one died before he could succeed and one refused the throne as he was the governor of bengal. Thus it made Balban to choose his grandson Kai Khusro to be the Successor. But when Balban died, the Muiz ud din Qaiqabad became the ruler. After four years of his reign, he suffered a paralystic stroke and was killed. His nobels replaced him by his three year old son Kaimus. The most important institution that developed under the Slave Dynasty was the `Chihalgani` or the Forty. Iltutmish recognized them as his personal supporter. To strengthen his rule, Balban crushed the power of these Forties, but actually this decision destroyed the real power of the Slave Dynasty. Jalal-ud-din Feroz Khalji overthrown the slave Dynasty and established the Khilji Dynasty. 

List of sultans

Qutb-ud-din Aybak         1206 – 1210

Aram Shah                         1210 – 1211

Shams ud din Iltutmish   1211 – 1236 son-in-law of Qut-bud-din Aybak

Rukn ud din Firuz                1236         son of Iltutmish

Raziyyat-ud-din Sultana 1236 – 1240 daughter of Iltutmish

Muiz ud din Bahram              1240 – 1242 son of Iltutmish

Ala ud din Masud              1242 – 1246 son of Ruk-nud-din

Nasir ud din Mahmud         1246 – 1266 son of Iltutmish

Ghiyas ud din Balban         1266 – 1286 ex-slave, father-in-law of Sultan Nasir ud din Mahmud

Muiz ud din Qaiqabad         1286 – 1290 grandson of Balban and Nasir-ud-din