The Delhi Sultanate

• Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526 CE) — five dynasties that ruled from Delhi.
• Key rulers: Qutub-ud-din Aibak, Iltutmish, Razia Sultan, Alauddin Khilji, Muhammad bin Tughluq, Firuz Shah Tughluq.
• Iqta system — land grants to nobles (iqtadars) in exchange for military service.
• Architecture: Qutub Minar, Alai Darwaza, Tughlaqabad Fort.
• Mongol invasions and how Delhi Sultans repelled them.

Five dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate

Key rulers

Qutub-ud-din Aibak (1206–1210)

• Founded Mamluk dynasty; former slave of Muhammad Ghori.
• Built Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque and began Qutub Minar (completed by Iltutmish).

Iltutmish (1211–1236)

• Consolidated the Sultanate; first Sultan recognised by the Caliph of Baghdad.
• Introduced iqta system and organised currency (silver tanka, copper jital).

Razia Sultan (1236–1240)

• First woman ruler of Delhi Sultanate; removed purdah; controlled administration personally.
• Overthrown by nobles opposed to a woman ruler.

Alauddin Khilji (1296–1316)

• Expanded empire to Deccan; repelled Mongol invasions multiple times.
• Market reforms — fixed prices for goods in Delhi; maintained a spy network.
• Built Alai Darwaza at Qutub complex.

Muhammad bin Tughluq (1325–1351)

• Transferred capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (Maharashtra) — failed experiment.
• Introduced token currency (brass/copper coins instead of gold/silver) — rejected by people.
• Brilliant but erratic ruler; called "Wise fool" by historians.

Firuz Shah Tughluq (1351–1388)

• Built canals for irrigation; set up hospitals; abolished torture.
• Built cities: Firozabad, Hisar, Fatehabad.

Iqta system

• Sultan divided empire into iqtas (land units).
• Each iqta given to a iqtadar (noble/officer) who collected revenue and maintained soldiers.
• Iqtadars paid soldiers from revenue; rest sent to Sultan.
• Prevented permanent hereditary land ownership (Sultan could transfer iqtas).

Mongol threat

• Mongols (Central Asian nomadic warriors) repeatedly raided India under Genghis Khan's successors.
• Alauddin Khilji successfully repelled 4 major Mongol invasions (1297–1306).
• Strong military and fortified cities kept Delhi safe.

• Name the five dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate in order.
• Who was Razia Sultan and why is she significant?
• What was the iqta system?
• Why did Muhammad bin Tughluq's token currency experiment fail?
• Name two architectural contributions of the Delhi Sultanate.

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