- Establishment: The Delhi Sultanate was established in 1206 CE when Qutb-ud-din Aibak, a Turkish general, declared himself the ruler of Delhi after the death of his master, Muhammad Ghori.
- Turkish Origins: The sultans of the Delhi Sultanate, especially the early ones, had Turkish origins and were part of the Mamluk dynasty.
- Slave Dynasty: The first dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate was known as the Slave Dynasty because its rulers had originally been slaves or servants.
- Qutb Minar: Qutb-ud-din Aibak initiated the construction of the Qutb Minar in Delhi, a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Iltutmish: Iltutmish, the third ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, established the dominance of the dynasty and introduced the silver tanka coin.
- Razia Sultan: Razia Sultan, the daughter of Iltutmish, was one of the few female rulers in medieval India and ruled for a brief period.
- The Khalji Dynasty: The Khalji dynasty came to power in 1290 CE with the accession of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
- Alauddin Khalji: Alauddin Khalji, one of the most prominent rulers of the Delhi Sultanate, introduced several administrative reforms and is known for his market control system, the "Diwan-i-Kohi."
- Malik Kafur: Malik Kafur was a prominent general under Alauddin Khalji and led successful military campaigns in the Deccan.
- Tughlaq Dynasty: The Tughlaq dynasty, founded by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, expanded the empire to its greatest territorial extent.
- Muhammad bin Tughlaq: Muhammad bin Tughlaq, known for his ambitious but often impractical ideas, attempted to move the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad, leading to the infamous "Token Currency" experiment.
- Sayyid Dynasty: The Sayyid dynasty succeeded the Tughlaqs and ruled for a short period from 1414 to 1451 CE.
- Lodi Dynasty: The Lodi dynasty, founded by Bahlul Lodi, was the last dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.
- Battle of Panipat (1526): The Battle of Panipat in 1526 marked the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India.
- Religion: The Delhi Sultanate was predominantly an Islamic state, but it included a diverse population of Hindus and other religious communities.
- Tolerance and Integration: Despite being a Muslim empire, several Delhi Sultanate rulers demonstrated tolerance and integrated Hindu officials and administrators into their administration.
- Persian Influence: Persian culture and language had a significant influence on the Delhi Sultanate, and Persian was the official language of the court.
- Architecture: The Delhi Sultanate era saw the construction of many significant architectural marvels, including mosques, tombs, and forts, with a blend of Islamic and Indian architectural styles.
- Trade and Economy: The Delhi Sultanate played a crucial role in facilitating trade between India and the Middle East.
- Invasions: The Delhi Sultanate faced numerous invasions, including those by Mongols and Central Asian conquerors.
- Impact on South India: The Delhi Sultanate's influence extended to South India, where several sultanates emerged under their control.
- Literature: Persian literature flourished during this period, with the famous poet Amir Khusro serving in the courts.
- Social Structure: The Delhi Sultanate had a hierarchical social structure, with sultans at the top, followed by nobility, scholars, artisans, and peasants.
- Decline: Factors contributing to the decline of the Delhi Sultanate included invasions, economic problems, and internal strife.
- Legacy: The Delhi Sultanate left a lasting impact on Indian history, particularly in terms of administration, culture, and architecture, laying the foundation for the subsequent Mughal Empire.
These 25 points highlight the key aspects of the Delhi Sultanate and its significance in the history of medieval India.