The Delhi Sultanate

S.No. Scholar Embraced the Court of Famous Works

1. Hasan Nizami Qutbuddin Aibak Taj-ul-Massir
2. Minhaj-us-Siraj Nasir-ud-din Mahmud, Iltutmish Tabaq-i-Nasiri
3. Amir Khusrau Jalaluddin Khalji, Alauddin 1. Khainaz-ul-Futuh
Khalji, Mubarak Khalji, 2. Tughlaq Nama
Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq 3. Ashika
4. Sabaq-i-Hind (style
of Poetry)

4. Ziauddin Barani Mohammad-Bid-Tughlaq & 1. Tarikh-i-Firozshahi

Firoz Shah Tughlaq 2. Fatwa-i-Jahandari,
5. Ibn Batuta Mohammad Bin Tughlaq (as Rihla
Qazi of Delhi)
6. Al Beruni Tarikh-i-Hind

5 Dynasties – 1. Slave/Mamluk, 2. Khalji 3. Tughlaq, 4. Sayyid & 5. Lodi

I. The Slave/Mamluk Dynasty

i). Qutbuddin Aibak (1206-1210) – slave of Muhammad Ghori – assumed the title
Sultan and made Lahore his capital – Muhammad Bin Bhakthiyar Khalji, a Turkish
general from Afghanistan assisted him in conquering Bihar and Bengal –
Bhakthiyar Khalji destroyed Nalanda University (stated in Minhaj-us-Siraj in his
work Tabaq-i-Nasiri) – Lakh Baksh (gave liberal donations) – started the
construction of Qutub Minar in Delhi after the name of a famous Sufi saint Khwaja
Qutbuddin Bakthiyar – built Quwat-ul-Islam, the 1st mosque in India and the Arhai-
din-ka-jhanpara – died suddenly while playing chaugan (horse polo) – patronized
Hasan Nizami who wrote Taj-ul-Massir.

ii). Iltutmish (1210-1236) – Ilbari tribe – also called Shamshuddin – shifted his
capital from Lahore to Delhi – refused to give asylum to Jalaluddin Mangabarni, the
ruler of Kwarizam – Mongol policy of Iltutmish saved India from the wrath of
Chengiz Khan – received the mansur from the Abbasid Caliph in 1229 by which he
became the legal sovereign ruler of India – completed construction of Qutub Minar
– built mosque at Ajmer – divided empire into Iqtas (land in lieu of salary) –
iqtadars were transferable (not hereditary) – introduced the Arabic coinage into
India and the silver tanka weighing 175 grams which remained basis of modern
rupee – created Chahalgani System (40 Nobles) – patronized many scholars and a

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 number Sufi saints came to India during his reign viz., Minhaj-us-Siraj, Taj-ud-din.,
Nizam-ul-mulk, Muhammad Janaidi, Malik Qutbuddin Hasan and Fakhrul-Mulk
Isami.

iii). Raziya Sultana (1236-1240) – 1st female ruler – appointed an Abyssinian slave
Yakuth as Master of the Royal Horses – discarded the female apparel and held the
court with her face unveiled – went for hunting and led the army.

iv). Balban (1266-1287) – Also known as Ulugh Khan – after Raziya there was
struggle for supremacy between the Sultans and the nobles – Balban succeeded in
putting Nasiruddin Mahmud, a younger son of Iltutmish, as Sultan – He knew that
the real threat to the monarchy was from the nobles called the Forty – Sultan was
God’s shadow on earth (Zil-i-Ilahi) and the recipient of divine grace (Nibayat-i-
Khudai) – introduced rigorous court discipline and new customs such as
prostration (sijada) and kissing the Sultan’s feet (paibos) – introduced the
Persian festival of Nauroz – Indian Muslims were not given important post in the
government – appointed spies to monitor the activities of the nobles – paid more
attention to the restoration of law and order – established a separate military
department “diwan-i-arz” reorganized the army.

II. The Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320)

i). Jalaluddin Khalji (1290-1296) – 1st sultan to have a benevolent attitude

towards Hindus – policy of tolerance – pardoned Makik Chhajju, the nephew of
Balban couple of times – established Diwan-i-waqf (Department of grants and
expenditure on religious affairs) – Amir Khusrau in the court.

ii). Alauddin Khalji (1296-1316) – enormous gifts to the hostile nobles and Amirs
of Delhi – convinced that the general prosperity of the nobles, inter-marriages
between noble families, inefficient spy system and drinking liquor were the basic
reasons for the rebellions – passed four ordinances viz., confiscated the properties
of the nobles, intelligence system was reorganized and all the secret activities of the
nobles were immediately reported to the Sultan, public sale of liquor and drugs
was totally stopped, social gatherings and festivities without the permission of
Sultan were forbidden – maintained a large permanent standing army and paid
them in cash (abolished Iqta system) – introduced the system of dagh (branding of
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 horses) and Chehra (identity card to each Soldier) and prepared huliya (descriptive
list of soldiers) – price regulations popularly called as Market Reforms – established
four separate markets in Delhi – each market was under the control of a high officer
called Shahna-i-Mandi – fixed prices of all commodities – separate department
called Diwani Riyasat was created under an officer called Naib-i-Riyasat – secret
agents called munhiyans sent reports on functioning of markets – the first Sultan of
Delhi who ordered for the measurement of land – land revenue was collected in
cash – established Diwan-i-Mastakhraj (to collect revenue arrears) – Built the Fort
Siri (to protect from Mongols) – During his military conquest against Chittor, the
Rajput women including Rani Padmini performed jauhar (self-immolation). This
Padmini episode was graphically mentioned in the book Padmavath written by
Mahmud Jayasi – Alauddin sent Malik Kafur to Deccan – Yadava ruler of Devagiri,
Ramachandra Deva, Kakatiya ruler of Warangal, Prataparudra, Hoyasala ruler of
Dwarasamudra, Vira Bhallala-III were defeated – patronized poets like Amir
Khusrau and Amir Hasan – Amir Khusrau wrote Khazain-ul-Futuh (about AKs
conquest of South) – gave Amir Khusrau the tiltle Tut-i-Hind (Parrot of India) –
constructed gateway to Quwwat-ul-mosque in front of Qutub Minar known as Alai
Darwaza (horse shoe arch for 1st time) – considered himself as 2nd Alexander
(Sikandar-i-sani).

III. The Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414)

i). Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (1320-1325) – took title of Ghazi (Slayer of infidels) – 1st
sultan to start irrigation works – built Tughlaqabad.

ii). Mohammad-Bin-Tughlaq (1325-1351) – erected jahapanah between Qila Rai

Pithora and Fort Siri) only Delhi Sultan who had received a comprehensive literary,
religious and philosophical education – tolerant in religious matters – held
discussions with Jain saint Jinaprabha Suri – played Hoil – maintained diplomatic
relations with far off countries like Egypt, China and Iran – appointed Amir-Sadah in
provinces – in 1327 he unsuccessfully attempted to make Devagiri (Daulatabad) his
2nd capital to control South India – issued gold coin called Dinar – introduced token
currency copper coins at par with the value of the silver tanka coins – due to large
scale forgery he had stopped the circulation of token currency – increased the land

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 revenue on the farmers of Doab (land between Ganges and Yamuna rivers) –
launched a scheme by which takkavi loans (loans for cultivation) were given to the
farmers – established a separate department for agriculture Diwan- i- Kohi was
established – Ibn Batuta acted as Qazi at Delhi in 1334.

iii). Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388) – built Firozabad (Firoz Shah Kotla) –
chosen as sultan by nobles – appointed Khan-i-Jahan Maqbal, a Telugu Brahmin
convert as wazir (prime minister) - pleased the nobles and assured hereditary
succession to their properties – iqta system was not only revived but also it was
made hereditary – Jagir System to soldiers and it was hereditary – Jiziya tax was
strictly imposed on non-Muslims – banned muslim women from visiting tombs
outside Delhi – the first Sultan to impose irrigation tax (sharb) – developed royal
factories called karkhanas in which thousands of slaves were employed – A new
department called Diwan-i-Khairat was created to take care of orphans and widows
– free hospitals (Dar-ul-Shafa) and marriage bureaus for poor Muslims were also
established – intolerant towards Shia Muslims and Sufis – department of slaves
(Diwan-i-Bandagan) – collected 1300 Sanskrit manuscripts from Jawalamukhi
Temple and translated to Persian – wrote Futuhat-i-Firozshahi – patronized Barani
and Afif

IV. The Sayyids (1414-1451)

V. The Lodis (1451-1526)

i). Bahlol Lodi (1451-1489) – considered himself as one of the Afghan nobles but
not the king – introduced Bahlol copper coins.

ii). Sikandar Lodi (1489-1517) – brought the whole of Bihar under his control,
many Rajput chiefs were defeated – roads were laid and many irrigational facilities
were provided – shifted the capital from Delhi to Agra in 1504 – destroyed many
Hindu temples and imposed many restrictions on the Hindus – re-imposed Jiziya on
non-Muslims – introduced measurement yardstick Gazz-i-Sikandari – established
department of Translation – got translated ‘Ayurveda’ into Arabic ‘Farhang-i-
Sikandari’ – wrote poems under name ‘Gulrukhi’.

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 iii). Ibrahim Lodi – insulted his nobles – Daulat Khan Lodi, the governor of Punjab
invited Babur to invade India – Babur killed Ibrahim Lodi in the 1st battle of Panipat
(1526).

Administration of Delhi Sultanate

Central Government

Islamic State – Sultans considered themselves as representatives of Caliph – included names

of Caliph in khutba (prayers) and coins – Iltutmish, Muhammad bin Tughlaq and Firoz
Tughlaq obtained mansur from Caliph – no clear law of succession – generally succession
must be accepted by the nobles, ulemas and based on military prowess.

Naib – control of all departments

Wazir – next to Naib, heads Finance Department (Diwan-i-Wizarat)

Ariz-i-mumalik – heads military Department (Diwan-i-Arz) but sultan is commander-in-

chief

Military Department was 1st set up by Balban and later increased by Alauddin Khalji –
Cavalry was given importance under the Delhi Sultanate

Sad-us-Sadr – head of Department of Religious Affairs (Diwan-i-Risalat)

Chief Qazi – head of Judicial Department

Sharia was followed in Civil Cases, Rules and regulations made by Sultan were followed
in criminal cases. Hindus were governed by personal law and cases resolved by Village
Panchayat.

Diwan-i-Insha – Department of Correspondence

Local Government

Provinces – Iqtas – headed by governors muqtis/walis (law and order and collect the land
revenue)

Shiqs – headed by Shiqdars

Parganas – headed by Amil

Village Headman – Muqaddam / Chaudhri

Village Accountant – Patwari

Social Life

Caste System, Sati

Purdah System introduced by Turks and Afghans – became prevalent among upper class
women of north India.

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 In upper class Muslim society, women had to observe purdah and were secluded in the
zenana (female quarters)

Turkish, Iranian, Afghan and Indian Muslims developed – no inter marriages between them

Hindu converts from lower strata were not given equal respect.

Hindus were considered Zimmis (protected people) and collected Jiziya (as part of land tax)

Firoz Shah Tughlaq separated land tax and Jiziya.

Economic Life

Iqta Land To officials as payment for

service
Khalisa Land Direct control of Sultan.
Revenues spent for
maintenance of royal
household
Inam Land To religious leaders &
religious institutions

Land Revenue – 1/3rd to 1/2nd of produce

Encouraged the farmers to cultivate superior crop like wheat instead of barley.

Firoz encouraged the growth of horticulture.

Muhammad Bin Tughlaq introduced agriculture department Diwan-i-Kohi.

Growth of Urbanisation - Lahore, Multan, Broach, Anhilwara, Laknauti, Daulatabad, Delhi

and Jaunpur cities

Growth of Trade & Commerce - Overseas trade by Multanis and Afghan Muslims. Inland
trade dominated by the Gujarat Marwari merchants and Muslim Bohra merchants. Sarais or
rest houses on the highways.

Sericulture, Paper Industry introduced. Leather-making, metal-crafts and carpet-weaving

flourished.

Coinage also developed during the Delhi Sultanate. Iltutmish issued several types of silver
tankas. One silver tanka was divided into 48 jitals during the Khalji rule and 50 jitals during
the Tughlaq rule. Gold coins or dinars became popular during the reign of Alauddin Khalji.
Muhammad Bin Tughlaq issued 25 types of Gold Coins.

Art and Architecture

The Turks introduced arches, domes, lofty towers or minarets and decorations using the
Arabic script.

The Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque near Qutub Minar in Delhi was built by using the materials
obtained from destroying many Hindu and Jain temples.

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 Qutub Minar started by Aibak and completed by Iltutmish was dedicated to the Sufi saint
Qutbuddin Bakthiyar Kaki.

Alauddin Khalji added an entrance to the Qutub Minar called Alai Darwaza.

Used the cheaper and easily available grey colour stones in construction of Tughlaqabad
Fort.

Muhammad bin Tughlaq built the tomb of Ghyasuddin on a high platform.

The Kotla fort at Delhi was the creation of Firoz Tughlaq.

The Lodi garden in Delhi was the example for the architecture of the Lodis.

Music

Music Instruments sarangi and rabab were introduced.

Amir Khusrau introduced many new ragas such as ghora and sanam.

He evolved a new style of light music known as qawwalis by blending the Hindu and Iranian
systems. He also invented sitar.

The Indian classical work Ragadarpan was translated into Persian during the reign of Firoz
Tughlaq.

Pir Bhodan, a Sufi saint was one of the great musicians of this period.

Raja Man Singh of Gwalior encouraged the composition of a great musical work called Man
Kautuhal.

Literature

Tuti Namah, the Book of Parrots, is a collection of Sanskrit stories translated into Persian by
Zia Nakshabi later translated into Turkish and into many European languages.

The famous Rajatarangini written by Kalhana belonged to the period of Zain-ul-Abdin,

the ruler of Kashmir. Many Sanskrit works on medicine and music were translated into
Persian.

In Arabic, Alberuni’s Kitab-ul-Hind is the most famous work.

Chand Baradi was the famous Hindi poet of this period.

Bengali literature had also developed and Nusrat Shah patronized the translation of
Mahabaratha into Bengali.

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