The Delhi Sultanate was a 320-year-long Islamic empire based in Delhi that ruled over large parts of South Asia. Following the Ghurid dynasty's invasion of the subcontinent, the Delhi Sultanate was ruled by five dynasties in succession: the Mamluk dynasty (1206–1290), the Khalji dynasty (1290–1320), the Tughlaq dynasty (1320–1414), the Sayyid dynasty (1414–1451), and the Lodi dynasty (1451-1526). It occupied large areas of modern-day India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, as well as parts of southern Nepal. In this article, we will discuss The Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 AD) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Mamluk Dynasty

• The Mamluk dynasty or Slave dynasty was the first dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.
• Qutb Ud-Din Aibak, a Turkic Mamluk slave-general of the Ghurid Empire from Central Asia, founded the Mamluk dynasty in Northern India.
• The Mamluk dynasty governed the Delhi Sultanate from 1206 until 1290.
• Mamluk means "owned" and refers to a prominent military aristocracy that developed in the Islamic Empire of the Abbasid Caliphate in the 9th century AD.
• Despite the fact that they are slaves, their masters placed a high value on them.
• The three major Sultans of the time were Qutb-Ud-din Aibak, Shams-Ud-din Iltutmush, and Ghiyas-Ud-din Balban.
• Qutb-Ud-din Aibak, the first ruler of the Slave dynasty, reigned from 1206 to 1210.
• Iltumish was the next capable ruler who ruled from 1211 to 1236.
• Ghiyasuddin Balban was the slave dynasty's last effective emperor who ruled from 1266 to 1286.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Mamluk Dynasty (1206-1287)

Khalji Dynasty

• The Khalji dynasty was a Turco-Afghan dynasty ruled between 1290 to 1320 AD. It was the second dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate of India.
• This dynasty is remembered for conquests into modern-day South India and successfully repelling Mongol invasions of India.
• Jalaluddin Firuz Khilji was the first Sultan of the Khilji dynasty and ruled for six years from 1290 to 1296.
• At the age of 70, he assassinated the last descendant of the Slave Dynasty and declared himself Sultan of Delhi Sultanate.
• He was slain by his nephew Alauddin Khalji and ascended the throne.
• Following Alauddin Khilji's death, Malik Kafur installed his 6-year-old son Shihabuddin on the throne of the Delhi Sultanate.
• Later on, Malik Kafur was also slain by the nobles.
• Mubarak Shah, another son of Alauddin, was the acting regent over his younger brother. He toppled the young prince and took the kingdom for himself.
• After him, Nasir-Ud-Din Khusrau Shah came and he ended the Khilji dynasty.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320 AD)

Tughlaq Dynasty

• The Tughlaq dynasty arose during medieval India and was the third dynasty to rule over the Delhi sultanate.
• The Tugluq dynasty ruled from 1320 to 1414 and was ruled by many rulers such as Ghazi Malik, Muhammad-bin-Tughluq, and others.
• The Tughlaq Dynasty was of Turkish origin, and the family religion was Muslim.
• Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq founded the Tughlaq dynasty in India.
• The Tughlaqs were able to maintain their rule for a long time because they had strong allies such as Turks, Afghans, and South Asian Muslim warriors.
• The Tughlaq Dynasty was marked by torture, cruelty, and rebellions, which resulted in the dynasty's territorial reach rapidly disintegrating after 1335 AD.
• The dynasty reached its pinnacle between 1330 and 1335 AD, during a military campaign led by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Tughlaq Dynasty (1320 - 1414 AD)

Sayyid Dynasty

• The Sayyid dynasty succeeded the Tughlaq dynasty as the fourth dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate and governed the Sultanate until the Lodhi dynasty displaced them.
• The rulers of the Sayyid dynasty claimed descent from the prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and son-in-law Ali. This claim is supported by Tarikh-i-Mubarak shahi written by Yahya Sirhindi.
• From 1414 to 1451, they reigned the country for 37 years. This dynasty was founded by Khizr Khan who served as Governor of Multan under Firuz Shah Tughlaq.
• With the death of Mubarak Shah, the second ruler of the dynasty, a decline of the Sayyid dynasty was fostered.
• Muhammad Shah and Alauddin Alam Shah were weak monarchs who ultimately were replaced by Bahlol Lodhi.

• Bahlul Lodhi invaded Delhi and Hamid Khan, the Sayyid wazir, had joined hands with Lodhi and helped end the Sayyid dynasty by putting him on the throne of the Delhi Sultanate.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451 AD)

Lodi Dynasty

• The Lodi dynasty was an Afghan dynasty that ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1451 to 1526.
• It was the fifth and final dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, founded by Bahlul Khan Lodi.
• Bahlol Lodi acted wisely and took advantage of Sayyed ruler's weak position by further capturing Punjab before entering Delhi.
• In 1451, he seized control of India from the throne of Delhi, assuming the title "Bahlol Shah Ghazi." His accession ended the Sharqi dynasty.
• On July 15, 1489, Bahlol Lodhi was succeeded by his second son Sikander Lodhi, who was engaged in a power struggle with his elder brother Barbak Shah.
• Sikandar Lodhi was a fanatical Sunni ruler who destroyed Indian temples in Mathura and Naga Port. He imposed Jaziya on Hindus in order to demonstrate Islam's supremacy.
• Sikandar Lodi attempted to conquer Gwalior fort five times but was defeated each time by Raja Man Singh.
• After a succession war with his elder brother Jalal-ud-Din, he died in 1517 and was succeeded by his son, Ibrahim Khan Lodi. They were constantly at odds.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Lodi Dynasty (1451 - 1526 AD)

Administration of Delhi Sultanate

• During the Sultanate of Delhi, all administrative decisions were made in accordance with Muslim laws, also known as Shariat or Islamic laws.
• The Sultanate was divided into lqtas (regions). The leader of iqtas is known by several names, including Muqti, Wali, and Nazim.
• The provinces were divided into six sections, each led by a shiqdar, with the main function of maintaining law and order and protecting people from zamindar oppression, as well as performing military duties.
• The shiqs were further subdivided into parganas, each with its own set of officials.
• The state got five main types of revenue, according to the Shariyat, these were Uchar, Kharaj, Jaziya, Jakaq, Khamas.
• The Sultan used to convene at least twice a week to hear complaints about state officials. Qazi-i-Mumalik used to consult with the Sultan on legal matters.
• The central administration of the Delhi Sultanate followed a very systematic and well-planned administration procedure. Some important posts during the Delhi sultanate were:
• Sultan - was the head of state and had unrestricted power in all areas of state activity.
• Naib - held a position comparable to that of the Sultan.
• Wazir - state's Prime Minister and oversaw the financial department.
• Diwan-i- Risalat – Department of Religious Affairs.
• Ariz-i-Mumalik oversaw the army. Each soldier's descriptive role was kept in his office.
• The Iqtadari were a distinct type of land distribution and administrative system that developed during the Sultanate of Iltutmish.
• The entire empire was divided into several large and small tracts of land called Iqtas under this system.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Administration of Delhi Sultanate

Economy under Delhi Sultanate

• During the Delhi Sultanate, trade expanded dramatically. There was a currency system that was based on the silver tanka.
• Roads were constructed to connect Delhi, Lahore, and Sonargaon in Bengal.
• A communication system also emerged, with a post relay system created, with horse riders carrying the post.
• New industries such as metal work, paper making, and textile were developed in Delhi, Lahore, Multan, and Lakhnauti.
• Textile trade was conducted with China and West Asia, where horses, ivory, and spices were substituted for textiles.
• The state's main source of revenue was land revenue known as Kharaj. This referred to all non-Muslim taxes, including Jaziya.
• Alauddin Khilji increased the land tax from one-sixth to one-half of the gross produce. This was a type of capitation tax imposed on all Hindus.
• Zakat is the name given to the tax collected from wealthy Muslims in order to assist poor Muslims, known as Khams or Ghaninah.
• During this time, the cotton textile and silk industries flourished.
• During the reign of the Delhi Sultans, paper-making technology developed by the Chinese and learned by the Arabs was introduced to India.

Social Life During Delhi Sultanate

• Society was in transition during the Delhi Sultanate. People were divided into Hindus and Muslims based on their religion. Muslims were divided once more into two groups: nobility and chiefs.
• Nobles lived luxurious and lavish life due to their position and financial situation. Warrior nobles gradually transformed into cultural patrons. Political ties between Turkish rulers and Hindu Rajputs were common at the time.
• Qazis and Mujiis were judicial functionaries who assisted the nobles. Mehtasib used to monitor Muslims' adherence to Shariah law.
• There was no discernible change in the Hindu society structure. During the Delhi Sultanate, the Purdah system spread. Women were hidden in the upper classes, but they had more freedom in the lower classes.
• Customs such as sati and the prohibition on widow remarriage was established at the time. The only advantage was that widows could inherit their husbands' property.
• There were still disparities in social and cultural ideas and beliefs. This created a tense environment, resulting in decreased mutual understanding and cultural adjustments.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Economic and Social Life of Delhi Sultanate

Art and Architecture During Delhi Sultanate

• The Turks introduced the use of arch and the dome on a large scale in their architecture.
• The arch and dome eliminated the need for a large number of pillars to support the roof, allowing the construction of large halls with good visibility.
• They combined geometrical and floral designs with panels of inscriptions containing Quranic verses. The combination of these decorative elements was known as Arabesque.
• Qutub Minar was built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak and completed by Iltutmish. It is a 73-meter-high tower which was built in the memory of Sufi Saint Qutub-ud-Din Aibak.

Qutub Minar

• The Qutub Minar complex includes the Quwat-us-Islam Mosque, a 7-meter-high iron pillar, Iltutmish's tomb, Alai-Darwaza, and the Alai Minar.
• Alauddin Khilji constructed a new fort and the imperial township of Siri. He built the Mahal Hazar Satun, the palace of a thousand pillars, the Hauz-i-Illahi, a water tank, and the Jamait Khana mosque at the Dargah of Nizamuddin Auliya in Siri.
• Lodhi Garden in Delhi is one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture containing the Tomb of Sikandar Lodi, Shisha Gumbad and Bara Gumbad.

The decline of Delhi Sultanate

• The Sultanate of Delhi was autocratic. The Sultans of Delhi ruled as despots. They concentrated all of the Sultanate's power in their own hands, and the Amirs held the reins of the empire in their own hands.
• The people were denied the right to participate in the affairs of the kingdom.
• Thus, there was a wide gulf between the Sultan and the people, which widened even more during the reigns of the late unsuccessful Sultans, and thus continued to disintegrate with the passage of time.
• The rulers of the Delhi Sultanate implemented a policy of religious intolerance, which resulted in social divisions, and Hindus and Muslims became bitter rivals.
• The Muslim rulers' partisan policies harmed the interests of their Hindu subjects, creating jealousy and hatred between the two communities.
• The Delhi Sultanate was a theocratic state with an administration based on Islamic principles.
• The Ulema and orthodox Muslims held a privileged position in the Sultanate and influenced the Sultan's policies.
• Because the majority of Hindus were not treated favourably by the Muslim rulers, they never cooperated with them.
• Economic solidarity is the backbone of the empire, but the rulers of the Delhi Sultanate did not have a solid financial position.
• They amassed a lot of wealth during their invasions and plundered the temples, but they also spent a lot of money organising the army and repelling the Mongol invasion.
• Furthermore, Muhammad Tughluq's ridiculous schemes depleted the royal treasury, and no government could be stable without sound finances.

*For detailed notes of this topic, check this link Decline of Delhi Sultanate

Conclusion

The Delhi Sultanate period started in the 12th century and marked a change in Indian society. People were broadly classified as Hindus or Muslims based on their religion. The sultanate is notable for its integration of the Indian subcontinent into a global cosmopolitan culture. This period of architectural excellence witnessed the evolution and development of Indo-Islamic Architecture. The Delhi Sultanate ended in 1526, when Babur defeated the forces of the last Lodi sultan, Ibrahim Lodi, in the First Battle of Panipat, establishing the Mughal Empire. For three centuries, the Mughals ruled the region.

FAQs

Question: What is the Delhi Sultanate?

Question: Which were the five major dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate?

Question: Who was the first ruler of the Delhi Sultanate?

Question: What were the significant architectural contributions of the Delhi Sultanate?

Question: How did the Delhi Sultanate end?

MCQs

1. Which ruler founded the Delhi Sultanate?

a) Alauddin Khilji

b) Qutb-ud-din Aibak

c) Muhammad bin Tughlaq

d) Bahlul Lodi

2. Which of the following dynasties was the last to rule the Delhi Sultanate?

a) Mamluk Dynasty

b) Tughlaq Dynasty

c) Sayyid Dynasty

d) Lodi Dynasty

3. Which Sultan is credited with the creation of the market control policy in the Delhi Sultanate?

a) Balban

b) Alauddin Khilji

c) Iltutmish

d) Firoz Shah Tughlaq

4. Which monument was commissioned by Qutb-ud-din Aibak?

a) Alai Darwaza

b) Tughlaqabad Fort

c) Qutub Minar

d) Siri Fort

5. The Battle of Panipat (1526) marked the end of which dynasty?

a) Sayyid Dynasty

b) Tughlaq Dynasty

c) Lodi Dynasty

d) Khilji Dynasty

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Examine the administrative reforms introduced by the Delhi Sultanate and their impact on Indian society.

Answer: The Delhi Sultanate introduced administrative reforms like the Iqta system, where land was assigned to nobles in return for military service. This decentralized governance, where governors managed revenue collection and local administration, but the central authority often faced challenges in maintaining control. The Sultanate also introduced a uniform currency system, which helped in trade but created economic burdens due to the high taxation.

Q2: Analyze the military strategies of the Delhi Sultanate in maintaining control over a diverse population.

Answer: The Sultanate’s military strategies included the construction of forts, use of cavalry, and strategic alliances with local chieftains. The use of mounted archers, especially under rulers like Alauddin Khilji, enabled rapid military campaigns. The expansionist policies and suppression of revolts were vital in controlling the vast territories, though maintaining loyalty in distant provinces proved difficult.

Q3. Discuss the socio-cultural impact of the Delhi Sultanate on the Indian subcontinent.

Answer: The Delhi Sultanate led to the fusion of Indo-Islamic culture, evident in architecture, art, and language. The construction of grand mosques, minarets, and forts marked a new architectural style, while Persian became the administrative language. This period also saw the rise of Sufi mysticism and the Bhakti movement, which fostered greater religious exchange between Hinduism and Islam.

Previous Year Questions on The Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 AD)

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2018:

Question: Which of the following Sultanate rulers introduced market reforms to control prices?

A. Muhammad bin Tughlaq

B. Ala-ud-din Khilji

C. Firoz Shah Tughlaq

D. Ibrahim Lodi

Answer: B

Explanation: Ala-ud-din Khilji introduced several economic reforms, including market reforms, to regulate prices and control the economy during his reign.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2017 (GS Paper 1):

Question: Analyze the significance of the Delhi Sultanate in shaping medieval Indian society.

Answer: The Delhi Sultanate played a pivotal role in shaping medieval Indian society by introducing Persian culture, Islamic architecture, and new governance systems. The Sultanate facilitated the spread of Islam across India and promoted cultural fusion between Indian and Persian traditions. It also brought changes in administration through the introduction of Iqta and Jagir systems and influenced economic and military policies, laying the groundwork for later developments during the Mughal period.

3. UPSC CSE Prelims 2017:

Question: Which ruler of the Delhi Sultanate introduced the concept of “token currency” in India?

A. Ala-ud-din Khilji

B. Muhammad bin Tughlaq

C. Firoz Shah Tughlaq

D. Balban

Answer: B

Explanation: Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced the concept of token currency, an innovative but unsuccessful monetary experiment due to forgery and public mistrust.