Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 AD)

Comprehensive guide for UPSC Prelims preparation

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Delhi Sultanate refers to the five Muslim dynasties that ruled territories in North India from 1206 to 1526 AD. It marked the beginning of Muslim rule in India and introduced new administrative systems, architectural styles, and cultural synthesis.

The five dynasties in chronological order were:

  1. Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty (1206-1290)
  2. Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320)
  3. Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414)
  4. Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451)
  5. Lodi Dynasty (1451-1526)

Key Features of Delhi Sultanate

Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty (1206-1290)

Founded by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, a former slave of Muhammad Ghori. The dynasty is called "Slave" because its rulers were formerly slaves.

Important Rulers:

Ruler Reign Important Facts
Qutb-ud-din Aibak 1206-1210 Founded the dynasty, began Qutub Minar construction, called "Lakh Baksh" (giver of lakhs)
Aram Shah 1210-1211 Weak ruler, overthrown by Iltutmish
Iltutmish 1211-1236 Real founder of Delhi Sultanate, introduced silver tanka and copper jital, completed Qutub Minar, organized Iqta system
Razia Sultan 1236-1240 First and only female Muslim ruler of Delhi, defeated by Turkish nobles
Balban 1266-1287 Introduced Persian customs (sijda, paibos), created Diwan-i-Arz (military department), broke the power of "Chahalgani" (40 nobles)

Key Achievements:

Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320)

Founded by Jalal-ud-din Khalji, marked the end of the monopoly of Turkish nobles. Known for military conquests and administrative reforms.

Important Rulers:

Ruler Reign Important Facts
Jalal-ud-din Khalji 1290-1296 Founded dynasty at age 70, peaceful ruler, murdered by Alauddin
Alauddin Khalji 1296-1316 Most powerful Sultan, introduced market reforms, permanent standing army, defeated Mongols, conquered Gujarat, Ranthambore, Chittor, Malwa

Key Achievements:

Alauddin Khalji's Reforms (Important for UPSC)

  • Military Reforms: Introduced dagh (branding of horses) and chehra (descriptive rolls of soldiers)
  • Revenue Reforms: Measured cultivable land, fixed land revenue at 50% of produce
  • Market Control: Diwan-i-Riyasat to control markets, fixed prices for essential goods
  • Ban on Social Gatherings: Prohibited drinking and parties among nobles

Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414)

Founded by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq. Known for ambitious projects and administrative experiments.

Important Rulers:

Ruler Reign Important Facts
Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq 1320-1325 Founded dynasty, built Tughlaqabad fort, introduced token currency (not successful)
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq 1325-1351 Most learned but controversial ruler, transferred capital to Daulatabad, introduced token currency, created Diwan-i-Kohi (agriculture department)
Firoz Shah Tughlaq 1351-1388 Built canals, hospitals, abolished harsh punishments, imposed Jaziya on Brahmins, wrote autobiography "Futuhat-i-Firozshahi"

Key Events:

Why Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's Projects Failed?

  1. Transfer of Capital: Daulatabad was too far, caused hardship, no proper planning
  2. Token Currency: No proper mechanism to prevent counterfeiting, no silver/gold backing
  3. Khurasan Expedition: Unrealistic plan to conquer Central Asia
  4. Qarachil Expedition: Failed Himalayan campaign

Despite failures, he was a visionary ruler with progressive ideas ahead of his time.

Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451)

Founded by Khizr Khan, who claimed descent from Prophet Muhammad (hence 'Sayyid'). Marked the decline of Delhi Sultanate.

Important Rulers:

Ruler Reign Important Facts
Khizr Khan 1414-1421 Former governor under Timur, ruled as Timur's deputy, nominal control over territories
Mubarak Shah 1421-1434 Faced rebellions, built Mubarakabad city
Muhammad Shah 1434-1445 Weak ruler, faced invasions
Alam Shah 1445-1451 Last ruler, voluntarily retired to Badaun

Key Features:

Lodi Dynasty (1451-1526)

First Afghan dynasty in India. Last ruling family of Delhi Sultanate.

Important Rulers:

Ruler Reign Important Facts
Bahlul Lodi 1451-1489 Founded dynasty, consolidated power in Delhi region
Sikandar Lodi 1489-1517 Most capable Lodi ruler, founded Agra city in 1504, introduced Gaz-i-Sikandari (measurement unit), patronized Persian literature
Ibrahim Lodi 1517-1526 Last Sultan, defeated by Babur in First Battle of Panipat (1526), ended Delhi Sultanate

Key Features:

Administration of Delhi Sultanate

Central Administration:

Department Function Introduced by
Diwan-i-Wizarat Finance department headed by Wazir Balban
Diwan-i-Arz Military department Balban
Diwan-i-Insha Royal correspondence Balban
Diwan-i-Risalat Religious and foreign affairs Balban
Diwan-i-Kohi Agriculture department Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq
Diwan-i-Riyasat Market regulation Alauddin Khalji

Provincial Administration:

Important Administrative Terms:

Economy of Delhi Sultanate

Agriculture:

Trade:

Currency:

Architecture of Delhi Sultanate

Slave Dynasty:

Khalji Dynasty:

Tughlaq Dynasty:

Lodi Dynasty:

Culture and Society

Literature:

Music:

Social Structure:

Important Terms for UPSC

Term Meaning
Bandagan Slave soldiers used by early Sultans
Chahalgani Group of 40 nobles under Iltutmish, abolished by Balban
Dagh Branding of horses (Alauddin's military reform)
Chehra Descriptive roll of soldiers (Alauddin's reform)
Iqta Revenue assignment to nobles
Khanqah Sufi hospice or monastery
Muqti Holder of Iqta
Ulema Islamic scholars

Previous Year UPSC Questions

Prelims Questions:

  1. Consider the following statements about Alauddin Khalji's market reforms:
    1. He fixed the prices of essential commodities
    2. He established separate markets for grains, cloth and other goods
    3. The prices were determined by the merchants themselves
    Which of the above is/are correct? (Answer: 1 and 2)
  2. Who among the following Sultans of Delhi transferred the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad? (Answer: Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq)
  3. The term 'Chahalgani' during the Delhi Sultanate refers to: (Answer: A group of forty nobles)

Mains Questions: