Theme 3: The Delhi Sultanate
4
The Turkish Invasion
and the Establishment
of the Delhi Sultanate
THE TURKS
The cultural vitality and brilliance of the
Abbasid Caliphate in the 8th and 9th centuries
ce was followed by a decline in its political
power by the end of the 9th century ce. The
once mighty Abbasid empire disintegrated
into a number of independent states ruled
by the Turks who had earlier served in the
armies of the Caliphs. Two important states
established by the Turks were Ghazni and
Ghor.
MAHMUD OF GHAZNI
Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni was a powerful and
ambitious ruler. He invaded India 17 times in
the course of 25 years (1001–25 ce). He wanted
to build a large and well-equipped army to
expand his kingdom and also to protect it from
his enemies in Central Asia. To fulfil his aims,
he needed money. The fabulous riches of the
temples of north India attracted him.
At that time, north India was divided and
there was no unity. The ambitious Rajputs,
deeply absorbed in mutual rivalries, failed
to understand the gravity of the situation.
Mahmud of Ghazni attacked India and
plundered its riches.
Important Raids (1001–25 ce)
History
War against Jaipal
Mahmud first defeated Jaipal, the Hindu ruler
32
of the Punjab, whose territory extended from
the Punjab to present-day Afghanistan. Jaipal
was forced to pay tribute. Unable to bear the
humiliation of the defeat, Jaipal burnt himself
to death.
War against Anandapal
Anandapal, Jaipal’s son and successor,
formed an alliance with the rulers of some
of the important states of western and central
India. They made elaborate arrangements to
repulse Ghazni and protect their states and
culture. The grave threat of a foreign invasion
inspired the people to rise to the defence of
their land. It is said that even the women sold
their jewels, melted their gold ornaments and
sent their contributions from distant places to
help in the war effort. However, Anandapal
and his allies were defeated. This opened the
way for future inroads into the heart of India.
Later, most of Mahmud’s attacks were directed
at the temple towns of north India. A temple
town was not merely a religious centre, but a
treasure house of fabulous riches as well.
Hundreds of temples were plundered and
destroyed. The attack on the Somnath Temple
in Kathiawar was Mahmud’s most ambitious
and profitable expedition. The Indians put up
a stubborn resistance to save the magnificent
temple, which was the richest and the most
sacred temple of the Hindus. After three days
of fierce fighting, the entire defence force
of 50,000 soldiers lay dead. The victorious
Mahmud returned to his MAHMUD OF
MAHMUD OF GHAZNI’S
GHAZNI’S EMPIRE:
EMPIRE: INDIA
INDIA IN11th
IN THE THE 11th CENTURY
CENTURY ce ce
capital with immense treasures, Ghor
Extent of the empire
including valuable works of art. Kabul
Area overrun by
Mahmud was a great military
In
du Mahmud of Ghazni
Ghazni s
Peshawar Towns
leader, but he did not want u m
l ab
JheChenavi Present international
to establish an Indian empire. Kandahar Lahore
R
Satluj boundary of India
Multan Thanesar
His interest lay in territorial du
s
Tsangpo
In Delhi
expansion in Central Asia. Punjab RATHORS
Mathura Y Kanauj Kosi
Agra amu
was the only Indian province he CHAUHANS
na

Ga
utra
SIND map

ng
Gwalior
annexed. Brah

a
GURJARA-PRATIHARAS
CHANDELLAS Son

Chambal
SI N D I A

wa
Sultan Mahmud drained away AN
K I

Bet
L Na rm ad a PALAS
SO
India’s vast treasures and used Somnath
Tap PARAMARAS
i
Mahana
di

them to transform Ghazni into a

Godav
magnificent capital city. Ghazni ARABIAN
ari
BAY OF
SEA BENGAL
was adorned with splendid shn
a
Kri
mosques, libraries and a museum.
The court of Ghazni glittered

An
AS

da
with sparkling pearls, rubies and
LAK

OL

man and Nicoba

CH
SH

eri
diamonds.
L a k s h a dIA)

Kav
AD
WE

(I N D I A )
(I N D

S ANDAMAN
YA
EP

SEA
Mahmud was known as the idol PA
ND
SEA
we

p
breaker and a bandit operating
e

r I
sla
on a large scale in the context of

nd
I N D I A N O C E A N

s
Indian history. However, he was
a patron of art and learning and enjoyed the Paramaras of Malwa and the Chandellas
company of learned scholars and poets. The of Bundelkhand.
Persian poet Firdausi, author of the great epic
Shahnama, and the great Persian historian MUHAMMAD GHORI
and mathematician ‘Al Beruni’ were among
the eminent scholars patronized by Mahmud. Towards the end of the 12th century ce, a new
kingdom based in Ghor arose in north-western
Mahmud’s raids exposed the weaknesses of Afghanistan (near Ghazni). Muhammad
the northern states and paved the way for Ghori, the ruler of
the conquest of India. The empire of Ghazni Ghor, decided to
disintegrated rapidly after Mahmud’s death. conquer India and
For about 150 years after that, north India was enrich his kingdom
free from foreign attacks. with India’s wealth.
When Muhammad Ghori invaded India at He first brought
the end of the 12th century ce, there were five the frontier areas of
major Rajput kingdoms in north India—the Multan, Sind and
History

Rathors of Kanauj, the Chauhans of Delhi Punjab under his

and Ajmer, the Solankis of Gujarat, the control. A portrait of Muhammad
Ghori

33
 Important Battles
First Battle of Tarain
In 1191 ce, Ghori attacked Prithviraj Chauhan,
the Rajput ruler of Delhi and Ajmer.
Prithviraj inflicted a crushing defeat on Ghori
in the First Battle of Tarain. Ghori returned
the following year to avenge the humiliation
of his defeat.
Second Battle of Tarain
Prithviraj organized a confederacy of Rajput
chiefs to meet the challenge. Unfortunately,
the most powerful Rajput ruler, Raja
Jaichandra of Kanauj, refused to help him.
The armies of the Rajputs and Ghori clashed
in the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192 ce. This
time, Muhammad Ghori routed the Rajput army.
The defeat of Prithviraj marked the end of
Rajput rule in north India. The kingdom of
Delhi passed into the hands of Muhammad
Ghori. The throne of Delhi was occupied by
Muslim rulers from then till 1858.
Two years after the Second Battle of Tarain,
Muhammad attacked Kanauj and killed
Jaichandra. He annexed the Indian territories
to his empire and appointed Qutbuddin
Aibak as his viceroy before returning to Ghor.
Qutbuddin captured the fort of Kalinjar in
Bundelkhand and Anhilwara in Gujarat and
extended Ghori’s empire to other parts of
north India, such as Mathura, Gwalior and
Malwa.
Another great general of Ghori, Muhammad
bin Bakhtiar Khilji, swept across Bihar with
his army and overthrew the Sena dynasty of
Bengal.
History
Many Buddhist monasteries and libraries
were wantonly destroyed by the invaders.
This invasion dealt a death blow to Buddhism
34
in India. A few monks managed to escape
to Tibet with their manuscripts. Buddhism
continues to flourish in Tibet.
Muhammad Ghori was not as great a military
leader as Mahmud of Ghazni, nor did he
patronize art and learning like him. Yet some
historians regard him as the founder of the
Turkish kingdom in India, with its capital in
Delhi.
Think and Answer TP
Why do you think Raja Jaichandra of Kanauj
refused to help Prithviraj Chauhan during the
Second Battle of Tarain? Do you think the
history of India would have been different if
he had helped? Why?
THE DELHI SULTANATE
The period between 1206–1526 ce is known as
the period of the Delhi Sultanate because the
rulers were known as sultans and they ruled
from Delhi, their capital city.
THE MAMLUK DYNASTY
Muhammad Ghori died in 1206 ce. He had
no heirs, so his viceroys declared themselves
independent in different parts of his empire.
Qutbuddin Aibak assumed control of
Muhammad Ghori’s Indian possessions and
laid the foundation of the Delhi Sultanate. A
former slave of Muhammad Ghori, he rose to
the position of a general in the army by dint
of merit. The dynasty founded by Qutbuddin
is referred to as the Mamluk or Slave dynasty.
QUTBUDDIN AIBAK
Qutbuddin ruled for about 4 years
(1206–10 ce). According to court historians,
he was a just and generous ruler who looked
after the welfare of his subjects. He was
known as lakhbaksh or ‘giver of lakhs’. He
treated the Hindus well.
However, he broke several ancient temples
to collect wealth and the material required to
build mosques and other monuments.
Qutbuddin built two mosques, one in Delhi
and the other at Ajmer. The Qutb Minar
was another monument started by him and
completed by his successor, Iltutmish. Firoz
Shah Tughlaq added the fifth and the last
storey to it. The Qutb Minar is one of the most
famous monuments in India. Some historians
believe that it was used as a minaret by the
muezzin to summon Muslims for prayers.
ILTUTMISH
In 1210 ce, Qutbuddin died from an accidental
fall from a horse. Though he was DELHI
DELHI SULTANATE
succeeded by his son, Qutbuddin
was ultimately replaced by
GO
Iltutmish, his son-in-law. Iltutmish O N
M s
(1210–36 ce) was a capable ruler. He
fled towards India in search of shelter.
Iltutmish politely refused to give him
refuge and by doing so, saved India from
the threat of a Mongol invasion.
ŠŠ After getting rid of his enemies, Iltutmish
defeated the Rajput rulers of Ujjain,
Ranthambore, Malwa and Gwalior. He
brought the whole of north India, up to
the river Narmada, under his control. The
Caliph of Baghdad recognized him as the
sovereign of India.
ŠŠ Iltutmish reorganized the finance and
revenue departments of the Sultanate. The
empire was divided into several provinces
called iqtas. Each iqta was administered by
an officer or noble called the iqtadar, who
collected land revenue and also maintained
law and order.
SULTANATE
UNDERUNDER
ILTUTMISH:ILTUTMISH:
INDIA IN INDIA
1236 ce IN 1236 ce
Extent of the empire
L S Towns
In
du Present international
boundary of India

first consolidated his possessions, and Lahore

Multan
then stabilized his position through
s Brahmaputra
du
shrewd and clever handling of all In Delhi
Yamu
Ga

those who challenged his authority.

ng
na
a

SIND
ŠŠ The Turkish nobles who had Ganga

challenged his claim to the throne I N D I A

were suppressed. Narma
da

ŠŠ The revolt of the Khilji governor of

Bengal was crushed.
ŠŠ The power of his external rivals, A RA BIA N B AY O F
S EA BENGAL
the rulers of Ghazni and Multan, Kri
shn
a
was destroyed.
ŠŠ A new danger presented itself
when the Mongol chief, Chenghiz
LA
KS

Khan, reached the borders of India

HA

Kave
ri
History
D
WE

in pursuit of the Shah of Persia ANDAMAN

EP

SEA
SE

(present-day Iran). The Shah had

A

I N D I A N O C E A N

35
 ŠŠ He was the first to mint gold and silver
coins.
ŠŠ Iltutmish completed the Qutb Minar and
also built his own tomb in red sandstone in
Delhi. He was a patron of art and learning.
Learned scholars, driven into exile from
various parts of Asia, found refuge in
his court.
Iltutmish is regarded as the true founder
of Delhi Sultanate and he transformed the
loosely-knit Ghori territories in India into a
strong, well-defined, compact state.
Discuss
Who, according to you, was the real founder of
Delhi Sultanate—Qutbuddin Aibak or Iltutmish?
Give reasons for your answer.
RAZIA SULTAN
Iltutmish nominated his daughter Razia
as his successor. His nobles did not like the
idea of being ruled by a woman. So Prince
Rukhnuddin Firoz Shah was made the sultan.
He was a pleasure-loving and worthless
ruler. After a brief reign of 7 months, he was
deposed and Razia (1236–39 ce) ascended
the throne.
History
Razia Sultan was a brave, intelligent
and just woman.
36
Razia was a brave, intelligent and just woman.
She possessed all the qualities of a great
monarch. She sat in the open durbar and
transacted business. She dressed like a man,
rode horses and led the armies into battle. The
welfare of her subjects was her primary duty.
The provincial governors rose in revolt
against her. Razia tried to crush the revolt but
was defeated and imprisoned. She won over
the leader of the rebels, Altunia, by marrying
him. Their attempt to recover the throne of
Delhi ended in failure and both were killed
in 1240 ce.
Did You Know?
Razia Sultan is a much romanticized figure of
Indian history. She is said to have fallen in love
with her Abyssinian slave,Yakut. The story goes
that Altunia and Razia were childhood friends.
As they grew up, Altunia fell in love with Razia
and his rebellion was just a way of getting back
at her for preferring a slave over him. Yakut was
murdered and Altunia imprisoned Razia. To save
her head, Razia decided to marry Altunia.
After 6 years of internal strife and turmoil,
some nobles placed Nasiruddin Mahmud
(1246–66 ce), the youngest son of Iltutmish,
on the throne. He was a virtuous person, but
weak and inexperienced. So, Ghiyasuddin
Balban, the leader of the group of nobles,
began to manage the affairs of the state. Balban
ruled the Sultanate for 20 years on behalf of
Nasiruddin.
GHIYASUDDIN BALBAN
Nasiruddin died in 1266 ce and Balban
ascended the throne of Delhi and ruled for 20
years (1266–86 ce). Sultan Ghiyasuddin Balban
was an experienced and a capable ruler. He
believed in the theory of divine kingship, i.e.
the king was God’s representative on earth.
It is said that Balban Balban mercilessly suppressed the ambitious
never smiled and no Turkish nobles. The governor of Bengal,
one was allowed to Tughril Khan, revolted against the sultan and
laugh or joke in his began to rule independently. Balban, an old
court. The nobles had man of 70, personally marched against him.
to kneel and touch Tughril Khan, his entire family and all his
the ground with their supporters were killed.
forehead to show their Balban never left his capital to conquer
respect. new territories, although he had a well-
Ghiyasuddin Balban
ŠŠ Balban made the believed in the theory of equipped army. He was sure the Mongols
monarchy absolute divine kingship. would take advantage of his absence and
and all-powerful. invade his kingdom. He adopted several
ŠŠ He reorganized the army, strengthened measures to strengthen his defences against a
both the infantry and the cavalry, and Mongol invasion.
erected forts at strategic places. ŠŠ He appointed his own sons as governors of
ŠŠ An elaborate spy system was set up. frontier provinces.
ŠŠ A tribe that robbed travellers and created ŠŠ New forts were built and old ones repaired.
serious law and order problems was ŠŠ The army was always kept in a state of
ruthlessly suppressed. readiness.
ŠŠ Security and stability replaced lawlessness Balban died in 1286 ce. His successors were
and disorder. weak and incompetent. Four years later, the
These peaceful and stable conditions were Mamluk dynasty came to an end. The Delhi
favourable for the development of agriculture, Sultanate passed into the hands of the Khilji
trade and commerce, and led to the economic dynasty.
prosperity of the kingdom.

Values and Life Skills

Both men and women should be given equal opportunities to learn and grow. There should be no gender bias.
• Razia Sultan had all the qualities of a great monarch, but the nobles did not like the idea of being ruled
by a woman and she was eventually overthrown. If you were a noble in the court of Razia Sultan, what
would you have done?

Mahmud of Ghazni invaded India. First Battle of Tarain

ce ce
History

950 1000 1050 1100 1150 1200

Second Battle of Tarain

37
 Mamluk dynasty founded by Qutbuddin Period of the Delhi Sultanate

ce ce

1100 1150 1200 1250 1300 1350 1400 1450 1500 1550 1600

Reign of Iltutmish

Reign of Razia Sutan

Reign of Ghiyasuddin Balban

Reign of Nasiruddin Mahmud

He defeated Jaipal and He transformed the loosely-knit

Mahmud of Iltutmish territories into a strong state and
Anandapal and paved the way
Ghazni saved India from a Mongol invasion.
for the conquest of India.

She succeeded Iltutmish. Nobles

Razia Sultan
INVASION
TURKISH

revolted against her and killed her.

He defeated Prithviraj
Chauhan in the Second
Battle of Tarain and
occupied Delhi. He laid the He ascended the throne of Delhi
foundation of the after Nasiruddin's death. He made
Delhi Sultanate. monarchy absolute and organized
Muhammad a strong army.
Ghori

Ghiyasuddin He was the last ruler of the

He appointed Mamluk dynasty. His successors
Balban
Qutbuddin Aibak as were weak and incompetent. Four
viceroy of Delhi before years after his death, the Mamluk
returning to Ghor. dynasty came to an end and the
Delhi Sultanate passed into the
hands of the Khilji dynasty.

Important Words
Ghazni and Ghor were the two important states
established by the Turks after the mighty Abbasid
empire disintegrated.
Sultans were the rulers of the Delhi Sultanate who ruled
from Delhi, their capital city.
Shahnama was written by the Persian poet Firdausi.
It is the biography of Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni.
History
given this name because of his generosity.
Muezzin is a man who calls Muslims to prayer, usually
from the tower of a mosque.
Iqtas were the provinces into which the Delhi Sultanate
was divided during Iltutmish's reign. Each was
administered by an officer or noble called the iqtadar.
Divine kingship means that the king is considered a

Lakhbaksh means ‘giver of lakhs’. Qutbuddin Aibak was representative of God on earth.

38
 Exercises
A Fill in the blanks.
1. Mahmud of Ghazni invaded India ______________ times in the course of ___________ years.
2. Mahmud’s raids exposed the ______________ of the northern states and paved the way for
the ______________ of India.
3. Qutbuddin Aibak took control of Muhammad Ghori’s ______________ possessions and laid
the foundation of the ___________________________ .
4. Iltutmish defeated the Rajput rulers of ______________ , ______________ , ____________,
and ______________ and brought the whole of north India up to the river ________________
under his control.
5. The ________________________ recognized Iltutmish as the sovereign of India. He was
succeeded by ______________ .

B Match the following.

A B
1. Mahmud of Ghazni (a) general of Ghori
2. First Battle of Tarain (b) Prithviraj was defeated by Muhammad Ghori.
3. Second Battle of Tarain (c) Prithviraj defeated Muhammad Ghori.
4. Qutbuddin Aibak (d) patron of art and learning
5. Muhammad bin Bakhtiar Khilji (e) viceroy of Ghori

C Choose the correct answer.

1. Mahmud of Ghazni was a powerful/weak/inefficient ruler.
2. Mahmud of Ghazni was interested in territorial expansion in South Asia/Central Asia/
West Asia.
3. Firdausi was a great mathematician/historian/poet.
4. Nasiruddin Mahmud was a weak and an inexperienced ruler and the affairs of the state
during his reign were managed by Balban/Iltutmish/Razia Sultan on his behalf.
5. Iltutmish/Qutbuddin Aibak/Balban never smiled or allowed others to laugh in his court.

D State whether the following are true or false.

1. The kingdoms of Ghazni and Ghor were established by the Abbasids.
2. During Mahmud’s time, north India was divided and there was no unity.
3. Iltutmish failed to crush the power of the governor of Bengal.
4. Razia Sultan was brave, intelligent and just.
5. Balban made the monarchy weak and dependent on the nobles.

E Answer the following questions in one or two words/sentences.

1. What happened to the Abbasid Caliphate by the 9th century ce?
2. Name the author of the great epic Shahnama.
History

3. What is the significance of the defeat of Prithviraj in the Second Battle of Tarain?
4. Who did Muhammad Ghori appoint as his viceroy?
5. For how many years did the sultans of Delhi rule the country?

39
 6. Mention one important reason for the decline of Buddhism in India after the Turkish invasion.
7. Why was Qutbuddin known as ‘lakhbaksh’?
8. How did Iltutmish save India from the threat of a Mongol invasion?
9. Why did Iltutmish nominate his daughter Razia as his successor?
10. Mention two important contributions of Balban to the Delhi Sultanate.

F Answer the following questions briefly.

1. How did Sultan Mahmud transform his capital, Ghazni? How do we know he was a patron of
art and learning?
2. Discuss the (a) causes and (b) results of the First and Second Battles of Tarain.
3. Give any five reasons to prove that Iltutmish was a shrewd, clever and a capable ruler.
4. Discuss the important developments that took place during the reign of Razia Sultan.
5. With reference to (a) ambitious nobles and (b) the Mongols, explain how Balban maintained
security and stability in his kingdom.

G Picture study
This is a portrait of a Turkish invader who was involved in the Battles of Tarain.
1. Identify the person in the picture. Why did he invade India?
2. The Battles of Tarain laid the foundation of the Turkish rule in north India.
Do you agree? Why?
3. Explain the causes of the success of the Turkish invaders against the
Rajputs.

H Map work SI Geography

On an outline map of the Indian Subcontinent, mark and label (a) the extent of the empire of
Mahmud of Ghazni and (b) the areas overrun by him.

Do and Learn
Use your imagination
TP I magine that you are a royal official in Ghiyasuddin Balban’s court. Give an account of your
observations of the usual day-to-day proceedings in the royal court. The narration may be
supplemented with an enactment of the scenes by the students.

Project work
TP 1. Imagine you are Prithviraj Chauhan, the leader of the Rajput confederacy, preparing to
meet the challenge of an attack by Muhammad Ghori. Prepare and deliver a speech to
the combined armies that will inspire and motivate the soldiers to face the challenge
with confidence and courage. Read out your speech in class.
TP 2. Collect information on the great Persian poet, Firdausi, and the great Persian historian,
Al Beruni. Prepare and present either a PowerPoint presentation or a file project on
their achievements and contributions. SI Computer Studies
TP 3. Make a picture album of the rulers of the Mamluk dynasty. Find some interesting
History

anecdotes about each ruler to supplement the picture gallery. Name any one sultan
who appealed to you the most. Give reasons for your answer. SI Arts Education

40
 The Story of Razia Sultan
TP IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE 13TH CENTURY, MANY ABLE ILTUTMISH RAISED RAZIA TO BE BOLD. SHE ASSISTED HIM IN
RULERS SAT ON THE THRONE OF DELHI. THE AFFAIRS OF THE STATE AND NEVER HESITATED IN GIVING
HER OPINION.

But father, I
disagree with you
on this matter...

AMONG THEM WAS RAZIA, DAUGHTER OF SULTAN ILTUTMISH.

RAZIA ASCENDED THE THRONE IN 1236 ce.

For me, you are equal to
twenty sons. After me, you
will sit on the throne of No one shall address
Delhi. me as 'Sultana'. I am
no wife or princess. I
am the Sultan.

I am
Razia Sultan!

RAZIA DRESSED AND ACTED LIKE A KING. SHE WENT OUT THE NOBLES IN RAZIA'S COURT WERE ANGERED BY THIS.
IN PUBLIC WITHOUT A PURDAH AND OPENLY EXERCISED
HER POWER.
She does not care
about our customs and
traditions! History

Preposterous!

SHE ALSO HAD COINS STRUCK IN HER NAME.

41
 RAZIA WAS BRAVE, INTELLIGENT AND JUST. SHE HAD ALL DESPITE HER WELFARE SCHEMES, THE NOBLES COULD NOT
THE QUALITIES OF A GREAT MONARCH. SHE GUIDED HER ACCEPT BEING RULED BY A WOMAN.
MINISTERS TO WORK FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE
SULTANATE.
She is a disgrace
to society!
The welfare of my
subjects is my main duty.
Please do the needful.

She does
not deserve
to rule!

THE NOBLES IN HER COURT REVOLTED AGAINST HER. RAZIA TRIED TO CRUSH THE REVOLT, BUT WAS DEFEATED
AND IMPRISONED.

SHE ESCAPED AND TRIED TO RECOVER THE THRONE OF DELHI RAZIA HAS GONE DOWN IN HISTORY AS ONE OF THE
WITH HER HUSBAND ALTUNIA. GREATEST MONARCHS. SHE LEFT BEHIND A LEGACY OF VALOUR
AND COURAGE.
History

BUT, THEY WERE DEFEATED AND KILLED.

42