What was the primary role of the Sultan of Delhi during the medieval era?

The Sultan of Delhi served as the absolute monarch of the Delhi Sultanate, which governed vast territories across the Indian subcontinent during the medieval period. This position held supreme political and military authority.

For how many years did the Delhi Sultanate exist?

The Delhi Sultanate existed for a total of 320 years, from its formation on June 25, 1206, until its abolition on April 21, 1526.

Which five distinct dynasties ruled the Delhi Sultanate sequentially?

Following the Ghurid conquest of India, five unrelated and diverse dynasties ruled the Delhi Sultanate 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).

What was the geographical extent of the Delhi Sultanate?

The Delhi Sultanate stretched over large parts of the Indian subcontinent, encompassing significant territories of modern-day India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

Who is recognized as the first monarch of the Delhi Sultanate?

Qutb ud-Din Aibak is recognized as the first monarch of the Delhi Sultanate, beginning his reign on June 25, 1206.

Who was the last monarch of the Delhi Sultanate?

Ibrahim Khan Lodi was the last monarch of the Delhi Sultanate, with his reign ending on April 21, 1526.

What were some of the titles adopted by the Sultans of Delhi?

The Sultans of Delhi adopted various titles, including Sultan, Sultan of Sultans, Shah, Ghazi (a warrior for Islam), Khan, Sikander (referencing Alexander the Great), and Malik.

What was the initial capital city of the Delhi Sultanate, and how did its primary residence change over time?

The initial capital of the Delhi Sultanate was Lahore (1206–1210). Over its history, the primary residence of the Sultans shifted to Badayun (1210–1214), Delhi (1214–1327), Daulatabad (1327–1334), back to Delhi (1334–1506), and finally to Agra (1506–1526).

What was the method of succession for the Sultans of Delhi?

The method of succession for the Sultans of Delhi was hereditary, meaning power was typically passed down within the ruling family, though this did not always prevent internal conflicts or changes in dynasty.

What does the image in the infobox depict regarding a Sultan of Delhi?

The image in the infobox depicts the court of Muhammad bin Tughluq, who reigned from February 1, 1325, to March 20, 1351. This visual representation offers a glimpse into the royal proceedings of the Tughlaq dynasty.

When did the Mamluk dynasty rule the Delhi Sultanate?

The Mamluk dynasty ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1206 to 1290, marking the first of the five major dynasties.

Who was Qutb ud-Din Aibak, and what were his reign dates?

Qutb ud-Din Aibak was the first ruler of the Mamluk dynasty, reigning from June 25, 1206, until his death on November 14, 1210.

Who succeeded Qutb ud-Din Aibak, and what was the duration of his rule?

Aram Shah succeeded Qutb ud-Din Aibak, reigning from December 1210 to June 1211, a relatively short period.

What was the familial relationship between Shams ud-Din Iltutmish and Qutb ud-Din Aibak?

Shams ud-Din Iltutmish was the son-in-law of Qutb ud-Din Aibak, indicating a marital alliance that strengthened his claim to power.

Who was the first female Sultan of Delhi, and during which dynasty did she rule?

Jalalat ud-Din Razia, also known as Razia Sultan, was the first female Sultan of Delhi, ruling from November 1236 to April 20, 1240, as a member of the Mamluk dynasty. She was the daughter of Iltutmish.

What was the relationship between Rukn ud-Din Firuz I and Iltutmish?

Rukn ud-Din Firuz I was the son of Iltutmish, and he briefly reigned from April 30, 1236, to November 19, 1236.

Who was Ala ud-Din Masud, and what was his lineage within the Mamluk dynasty?

Ala ud-Din Masud was the son of Ruknuddin Firuz I, making him a grandson of Iltutmish. He reigned from May 1242 to June 10, 1246.

How was Nasir ud-Din Mahmud I related to Iltutmish?

Nasir ud-Din Mahmud I was the grandson of Iltutmish, and he ruled from June 10, 1246, to February 18, 1266.

What was Ghiyas ud-Din Balban's background before he became Sultan?

Ghiyas ud-Din Balban was a Turkish noble who served in the court of Iltutmish before ascending to the throne. He reigned from February 18, 1266, to January 13, 1287.

Who was the last recognized ruler of the Mamluk dynasty?

Shams ud-Din Kayumars, the son of Qaiqabad, was the last ruler of the Mamluk dynasty, reigning for a short period from February 1, 1290, to June 13, 1290.

When did the Khalji dynasty govern the Delhi Sultanate?

The Khalji dynasty governed the Delhi Sultanate from 1290 to 1320, succeeding the Mamluk dynasty.

Who founded the Khalji dynasty, and what were his reign dates?

Jalal ud-Din Khalji founded the Khalji dynasty, reigning from June 13, 1290, until his death on July 19, 1296.

What is notable about Rukn ud-Din Ibrahim's rule within the Khalji dynasty?

Rukn ud-Din Ibrahim, son of Jalal-ud-din Khalji, held a titular reign from July 19, 1296, to November 1296. His rule was very brief and he is not always included in lists of sultans.

What was the relationship between Ala ud-Din Khalji and Jalal ud-Din Khalji?

Ala ud-Din Khalji was the nephew of Jalal ud-Din Khalji, and he succeeded him, reigning from July 19, 1296, to January 4, 1316.

Which two sons of Ala ud-Din Khalji also held the title of Sultan?

Shihab ud-Din Omar and Qutb ud-Din Mubarak I, both sons of Ala ud-Din Khalji, also served as Sultans. Shihab ud-Din Omar reigned briefly in 1316, followed by Qutb ud-Din Mubarak I from 1316 to 1320.

Who was Nasir ud-Din Khusrau, and what was the nature of his rule?

Nasir ud-Din Khusrau ruled for a short period from July 10, 1320, to September 5, 1320. He is notable because he did not establish a dynasty, marking a brief interregnum between the Khalji and Tughluq dynasties.

What was the period of the Tughluq dynasty's rule?

The Tughluq dynasty ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1320 to 1414, making it one of the longest-reigning dynasties of the Sultanate.

Who was the inaugural ruler of the Tughluq dynasty?

Ghiyas ud-Din Tughluq I was the inaugural ruler of the Tughluq dynasty, reigning from September 8, 1320, to February 1, 1325.

What was the familial connection between Muhammad II bin Tughluq and Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq I?

Muhammad II bin Tughluq was the son of Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq I, succeeding his father and ruling from February 1, 1325, to March 20, 1351.

How was Firuz III Shah Tughluq related to Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq I?

Firuz III Shah Tughluq was the son-in-law of Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq I, and he reigned from March 23, 1351, to September 20, 1388.

Which two Tughluq rulers were grandsons of Firuz Shah Tughlaq?

Ghiyas ud-Din Tughluq II and Abu Bakr Shah were both grandsons of Firuz Shah Tughlaq. Ghiyas ud-Din Tughluq II reigned from 1388-1389, and Abu Bakr Shah from 1389-1390.

Who was the son of Nasir ud-Din Muhammad Shah III who became Sultan?

Ala ud-Din Sikandar I was the son of Nasir ud-Din Muhammad Shah III, and he briefly reigned in 1394.

What was the role of Nasir ud-Din Nusrat during the Tughluq dynasty?

Nasir ud-Din Nusrat, the brother of Tughluq Khan, was an anti-king and claimant to the throne, serving as a sub-ruler from January 1395 to 1398 or 1399, during a period of internal conflict within the Tughluq dynasty.

When did the Sayyid dynasty hold power in the Delhi Sultanate?

The Sayyid dynasty held power in the Delhi Sultanate from 1414 to 1451.

Who was the founder of the Sayyid dynasty?

Khizr Khan was the founder of the Sayyid dynasty, reigning from May 28, 1414, to May 20, 1421.

What was the relationship between Muiz ud-Din Mubarak II and Khizr Khan?

Muiz ud-Din Mubarak II was the son of Khizr Khan, and he succeeded his father, ruling from May 21, 1421, to February 19, 1434.

What was the lineage of Muhammad Shah IV within the Sayyid dynasty?

Muhammad Shah IV was the grandson of Khizr Khan, and he reigned from February 1434 to January 1, 1445.

Who was the final ruler of the Sayyid dynasty?

Ala ud-Din Alam was the final ruler of the Sayyid dynasty, reigning from January 1, 1445, to April 19, 1451.

What was the duration of the Lodi dynasty's rule?

The Lodi dynasty ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1451 to 1526, being the last of the five dynasties.

Who was the first Sultan of the Lodi dynasty?

Bahlul Khan Lodi was the first Sultan of the Lodi dynasty, reigning from April 19, 1451, to July 12, 1489.

How was Sikandar II Khan Lodi related to Bahlul Khan Lodi?

Sikandar II Khan Lodi was the son of Bahlul Khan Lodi, and he succeeded his father, ruling from July 17, 1489, to November 21, 1517.

What was the birth year of Qutb ud-Din Aibak?

Qutb ud-Din Aibak, the first Sultan of Delhi, was born in 1150.

What was the death date of Ibrahim Khan Lodi?

Ibrahim Khan Lodi, the last Sultan of Delhi, died on April 21, 1526, which also marked the end of the Delhi Sultanate.

What was the birth year of Razia Sultan?

Jalalat ud-Din Razia, or Razia Sultan, was born in 1205.

What was the birth year of Alauddin Khalji?

Alauddin Khalji, a significant ruler of the Khalji dynasty, was born in 1266.

What was the birth year of Firuz III Shah Tughluq?

Firuz III Shah Tughluq, a prominent ruler of the Tughluq dynasty, was born in 1309.

What was the birth year of Bahlul Khan Lodi?

Bahlul Khan Lodi, the founder of the Lodi dynasty, was born in 1420.

Which Mamluk Sultan was a Turkish noble in the court of Iltutmish before his own reign?

Ghiyas ud-Din Balban was a Turkish noble in the court of Iltutmish before he became Sultan himself, demonstrating a rise through the ranks of the Mamluk administration.

What was the relationship between Muiz ud-Din Qaiqabad and Ghiyas ud-Din Balban?

Muiz ud-Din Qaiqabad was the grandson of Ghiyas ud-Din Balban, and he reigned from January 13, 1287, to February 1, 1290.

Which Tughluq Sultan was the son of Nasir ud-Din Muhammad Shah III?

Ala ud-Din Sikandar I was the son of Nasir ud-Din Muhammad Shah III, and he had a brief reign in 1394.

Which Lodi Sultan was the son of Sikandar Lodi?

Ibrahim Khan Lodi was the son of Sikandar Lodi, and he was the last ruler of the Lodi dynasty and the Delhi Sultanate.

List Of Sultans Of Delhi Wiki: Echoes of Empire: The Sultans of Delhi and Their Dynasties

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Sultanate Overview

The Absolute Monarchy

The Sultan of Delhi held absolute monarchical power over the Delhi Sultanate, a formidable empire that spanned significant portions of the Indian subcontinent during the medieval era. This powerful state existed for 320 years, from its formation on June 25, 1206, until its abolition on April 21, 1526.^[1]^[2]

Shifting Capitals & Styles

Throughout its history, the Sultanate's seat of power shifted, reflecting its dynamic political landscape. Key residences included Lahore (1206–1210), Badayun (1210–1214), Delhi (1214–1327, and again 1334–1506), Daulatabad (1327–1334), and Agra (1506–1526). The rulers adopted various prestigious titles, such as Sultan, Sultan of Sultans, Shah, Ghazi, Khan, Sikander, and Malik, each signifying their authority and lineage.

Geographical Extent

At its zenith, the Delhi Sultanate encompassed vast territories, laying the foundational administrative and cultural frameworks for regions that today constitute modern-day India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.^[4] This extensive reach highlights its profound impact on the historical trajectory of South Asia.

The Five Dynasties

The Delhi Sultanate was characterized by a succession of five distinct, often unrelated, dynasties, each leaving its unique imprint on the subcontinent's history.

Mamluk Dynasty (1206–1290)

The Mamluk dynasty, also known as the Slave dynasty, was the first to rule the Delhi Sultanate. It was founded by Qutb ud-Din Aibak, a former Turkic slave-general of the Ghurid Empire, marking the beginning of independent Turkic rule in Northern India.

S/N	Name	Birth Date	Death Date	Beginning of Reign	End of Reign	Notes
1	Qutb ud-Din Aibak	1150	14 November 1210	25 June 1206	14 November 1210	First monarch of the Delhi Sultanate.
2	Aram Shah	1176	June 1211	December 1210	June 1211
3	Shams ud-Din Iltutmish	1192	30 April 1236	June 1211	30 April 1236	Son-in-law of Aibak.
4	Rukn ud-Din Firuz I	1211	19 November 1236	30 April 1236	19 November 1236	Son of Iltutmish.
5	Jalalat ud-Din Razia	1205^[6]	15 October 1240	November 1236	20 April 1240	Daughter of Iltutmish; the only female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.
6	Muiz ud-Din Bahram	9 July 1212	15 May 1242	20 April 1240	15 May 1242	Son of Iltutmish.
7	Ala ud-Din Masud	1227 or 1232	10 June 1246	May 1242	10 June 1246	Son of Ruknuddin Firuz.
8	Nasir ud-Din Mahmud I	1229 or 1230	18 February 1266	10 June 1246	18 February 1266	Grandson of Iltutmish.
9	Ghiyas ud-Din Balban	1216	13 January 1287	18 February 1266	13 January 1287	Turkish noble in the court of Iltutmish.
10	Muiz ud-Din Qaiqabad	1269	1 February 1290	13 January 1287	1 February 1290	Grandson of Balban.
11	Shams ud-Din Kayumars	1285/1287	13 June 1290	1 February 1290	13 June 1290	Son of Qaiqabad.

Khalji Dynasty (1290–1320)

The Khalji dynasty succeeded the Mamluks, ushering in a period of significant territorial expansion and administrative reforms. This era saw the Sultanate reach its greatest geographical extent under Ala ud-Din Khalji.

S/N	Name	Birth Date	Death Date	Beginning of Reign	End of Reign	Notes
12	Jalal ud-Din Khalji	1220	19 July 1296	13 June 1290	19 July 1296
–	Rukn ud-Din Ibrahim (titular)	unknown	1297	19 July 1296	November 1296	Son of Jalal-ud-din Khalji. Ruled for a short time, not always listed.
13	Ala ud-Din Khalji	1266	4 January 1316	19 July 1296	4 January 1316	Nephew of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
14	Shihab ud-Din Omar	1310 or 1311	14 April 1316	5 January 1316	14 April 1316	Son of Alauddin Khalji.
15	Qutb ud-Din Mubarak I	1299	9 July 1320	14 April 1316	1 May 1320	Son of Alauddin Khalji.

Brief Rule (1320)

Following the Khalji dynasty, there was a brief period of rule by an individual who did not establish a lasting dynasty, highlighting the volatile political climate of the time.

S/N	Name	Birth Date	Death Date	Beginning of Reign	End of Reign	Notes
16	Nasir ud-Din Khusrau	unknown	1320	10 July 1320	5 September 1320	Ruled for a short time and did not establish a dynasty.

Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414)

The Tughlaq dynasty was one of the most significant and long-lasting dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate, known for its ambitious administrative and economic policies, though some proved controversial.

S/N	Name	Birth Date	Death Date	Beginning of Reign	End of Reign	Notes
17	Ghiyas ud-Din Tughluq I	unknown	1 February 1325	8 September 1320	1 February 1325
18	Muhammad II bin Tughluq	c. 1290	20 March 1351	1 February 1325	20 March 1351	Son of Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq.
19	Firuz III Shah Tughluq	1309	20 September 1388	23 March 1351	20 September 1388	Son-in-law of Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq.
20	Ghiyas ud-Din Tughluq II	unknown	14 March 1389	20 September 1388	14 March 1389	Grandson of Firuz Shah Tughlaq.
21	Abu Bakr Shah	unknown	after 1390	15 March 1389	31 August 1390	Grandson of Firuz Shah Tughlaq.
22	Nasir ud-Din Muhammad III	unknown	20 January 1394	31 August 1390	20 January 1394	Son of Firuz Shah Tughlaq.
23	Ala ud-Din Sikandar I	unknown	8 March 1394	22 January 1394	8 March 1394	Son of Nasir ud din Muhammad Shah III.
24	Nasir ud-Din Mahmud II	unknown	February 1413	8 March 1394	February 1413	Son of Nasir ud din Muhammad Shah III.
–	Nasir ud-Din Nusrat	unknown	1398 or 1399	January 1395	1398 or 1399	Brother of Tughluq Khan. Mahmud Shah's anti-king, claimant to the throne, sub-ruler.

Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451)

The Sayyid dynasty emerged during a period of fragmentation and decline for the Sultanate, following the invasion of Timur. Their rule was largely confined to Delhi and its surrounding areas.

S/N	Name	Birth Date	Death Date	Beginning of Reign	End of Reign	Notes
25	Khizr Khan	unknown	20 May 1421	28 May 1414	20 May 1421
26	Muiz ud-Din Mubarak II	unknown	19 February 1434	21 May 1421	19 February 1434	Son of Khizr Khan.
27	Muhammad Shah IV	unknown	1 January 1445	February 1434	1 January 1445	Grandson of Khizr Khan.
28	Ala ud-Din Alam	unknown	July 1478	1 January 1445	19 April 1451	Son of Muhammad Shah.

Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526)

The Lodi dynasty was the last of the Delhi Sultanate, founded by Bahlul Lodi. It was an Afghan dynasty that attempted to restore the Sultanate's former glory before its eventual conquest by the Mughals.

S/N	Name	Birth Date	Death Date	Beginning of Reign	End of Reign
29	Bahlul Khan Lodi	1420	12 July 1489	19 April 1451	12 July 1489
30	Sikandar II Khan Lodi	17 July 1458	21 November 1517	17 July 1489	21 November 1517	Son of Bahlul Lodi.
31	Ibrahim Khan Lodi	1480	21 April 1526	November 1517	21 April 1526	Son of Sikandar Lodi. Last monarch of the Delhi Sultanate.

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References

Chapman, Graham. "Religious vs. regional determinism: India, Pakistan and Bangladesh as inheritors of empire." Shared space: Divided space. Essays on conflict and territorial organization (1990): 106-134.

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Echoes of Empire

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Sultanate Overview 🗺️

👑 The Absolute Monarchy

🏛️ Shifting Capitals & Styles

🌍 Geographical Extent

The Five Dynasties ⚜️

🐎 Mamluk Dynasty (1206–1290)

⚔️ Khalji Dynasty (1290–1320)

🌪️ Brief Rule (1320)

🐘 Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414)

🕌 Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451)

🦁 Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526)

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Sultanate Overview

The Absolute Monarchy

Shifting Capitals & Styles

Geographical Extent

The Five Dynasties

Mamluk Dynasty (1206–1290)

Khalji Dynasty (1290–1320)

Brief Rule (1320)

Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414)

Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451)

Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526)

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