Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)

  1. The Delhi Sultanate was established in 1206 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the founder of the Slave Dynasty.
  2. It marked the beginning of Muslim rule in northern India.
  3. The Delhi Sultanate consisted of five main dynasties: Slave (Mamluk), Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi.
  4. Qutb-ud-din Aibak built the Qutub Minar and the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque.
  5. The Slave Dynasty (1206–1290) was characterized by the rule of Aibak, Iltutmish, and Razia Sultana.
  6. Razia Sultana (1236–1240) was the first and only female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.
  7. Iltutmish introduced the Iqta system, a form of land revenue administration.
  8. The Khilji Dynasty (1290–1320) was known for military expansion and economic reforms under Alauddin Khilji.
  9. Alauddin Khilji implemented a system of market control and fixed prices for essential commodities.
  10. The Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414) saw ambitious rulers like Mohammad bin Tughlaq, known for his failed experiments.
  11. Mohammad bin Tughlaq shifted the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad, causing economic hardships.
  12. The Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451) was relatively weak and marked by political instability.
  13. The Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526) was the last dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, ending with Ibrahim Lodi.
  14. In 1526, the Delhi Sultanate ended with the defeat of Ibrahim Lodi by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat.
  15. The Delhi Sultanate introduced the concept of centralized administration in India.
  16. The rulers patronized Persian culture and language, which influenced Indian society.
  17. The Sultanate period saw the construction of notable monuments like Alai Darwaza and Tughlaqabad Fort.
  18. The administration was based on Islamic law (Sharia) but adapted to Indian conditions.
  19. The Sultanate's army consisted of mounted archers and was known for its mobility and efficiency.
  20. Economic policies included the collection of land taxes (Kharaj) and trade regulation.
  21. The rulers encouraged the development of art and architecture, blending Persian and Indian styles.
  22. The Sultanate period witnessed the rise of Sufi movements and the spread of Islam in India.
  23. Social stratification persisted, with the coexistence of Hindu and Muslim communities.
  24. The Delhi Sultanate served as a precursor to the Mughal Empire, laying administrative foundations.
  25. The Sultanate faced constant threats from Mongol invasions during its early period.
  26. Rulers like Alauddin Khilji undertook successful campaigns in southern India, expanding their influence.
  27. Literature flourished, with works in Persian and the emergence of Urdu as a language.
  28. The decline of the Delhi Sultanate was accelerated by internal conflicts and external invasions.
  29. The influence of Turkish, Persian, and Central Asian cultures enriched Indian society.
  30. The concept of justice under the Delhi Sultanate was closely tied to Islamic principles.
  31. Notable historians like Ziauddin Barani chronicled the events of the Sultanate.
Category
Early Medieval India (c. 1200–1526 CE)
History of India