Delhi Sultanate

1. Introduction

Delhi Sultanate refers to the kingdoms and rulers who governed Delhi and large parts of India between 1206 and 1526 CE before the arrival of the Mughals. They introduced centralized administration, new architecture, Persian culture, new taxation systems, and strong military setup.

Simple Definition

The Delhi Sultanate was a period of Muslim rule in India from 1206 to 1526, ruled by five dynasties like Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi.

2. Five Dynasties of Delhi Sultanate

SSC GD Most Important Table

Dynasty	Period	Famous Rulers
Slave (Mamluk)	1206–1290	Qutub-ud-din Aibak, Iltutmish, Razia Sultana, Balban
Khilji	1290–1320	Jalaluddin, Alauddin Khilji
Tughlaq	1320–1414	Ghiyasuddin, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Firoz Shah
Sayyid	1414–1451	Khizr Khan, Mubarak Shah
Lodi	1451–1526	Bahlol Lodi, Sikandar Lodi, Ibrahim Lodi

Memory Trick:

"S-K-T-S-L" → Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi

3. Important Rulers of Delhi Sultanate

Full SSC Coverage

3.1. Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty (1206–1290)

3.1.1. Qutub-ud-din Aibak (1206–1210)

Founder of Delhi Sultanate
Called "Lakh Baksh" (giver of lakhs)
Built Qutub Minar (started)
Died while playing chaugan (polo)

3.1.2. Iltutmish (1211–1236)

Real founder of Sultanate
Completed Qutub Minar
Introduced Tanka (silver coin) & Jittal (copper coin)
Set up Iqta System
Saved India from Mongols
Nominated daughter Razia Sultana as successor

3.1.3. Razia Sultana (1236–1240)

First and only woman ruler of Delhi
Faced opposition from nobles
Died in battle

3.1.4. Ghiyas-ud-din Balban (1266–1287)

Strong ruler
Introduced "Blood and Iron Policy"
Strengthened spy system
Maintained law & order

3.2. Khilji Dynasty (1290–1320)

3.2.1. Alauddin Khilji (1296–1316) – Greatest Khilji ruler

Military Reforms

Large standing army
Introduced Dagh system (branding of horses)
Chehra system (soldier's ID)

Market Reforms

Fixed prices of essential goods
Strict market supervision
Controlled hoarding

Conquests

Conquered Gujarat, Ranthambore, Chittor
Sent Malik Kafur to South India
Defeated Mongols multiple times

3.3. Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414)

3.3.1. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq

Founder
Built Tughlaqabad fort

3.3.2. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq (1325–1351)

Famous for unique but failed experiments:

3.3.2.1. Token Currency

Introduced copper coins
People made fake coins
Policy failed

3.3.2.2. Capital Transfer

Delhi → Daulatabad
Forced migration
Failed, people returned to Delhi

3.3.2.3. Increased Taxes

Increased taxes in Doab region
Led to famine

Known as:

"Wisest fool" in history

3.3.3. Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351–1388)

Achievements:

Made irrigation canals
Built Firoz Shah Kotla
Setup hospitals & schools
Abolished torture
Brought Jizya tax back on non-Muslims

3.4. Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451)

Weak rulers
Founded by Khizr Khan
Mostly controlled only Delhi region

3.5. Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526)

Last dynasty of Delhi Sultanate

3.5.1. Bahlol Lodi

Founder
Afghan ruler

3.5.2. Sikandar Lodi

Founded city Agra
Encouraged agriculture
Removed many unjust taxes

3.5.3. Ibrahim Lodi

Last ruler
Defeated by Babur in First Battle of Panipat (1526)
End of Delhi Sultanate
Beginning of Mughal Empire

4. Administration of Delhi Sultanate

4.1. King

Supreme ruler
Assisted by ministers (Wazir)

4.2. Iqta System

Land given to nobles for revenue collection
Introduced by Iltutmish

4.3. Important Offices

Office	Work
Wazir	Prime Minister
Ariz-i-Mamalik	Army chief
Diwan-i-Insha	Correspondence
Diwan-i-Risalat	Religious affairs
Kotwal	Police chief
Amil	Tax collector

5. Economy & Society

5.1. Economy

Agriculture main activity
Introduced coins: Tanka (silver), Jittal (copper)
Taxation system: Kharaj (land tax)

5.2. Society

Persian influence increased
New clothing styles, music, food
Growth of cities (Delhi, Agra, Lahore)

6. Architecture During Delhi Sultanate

Monument	Built By	Features
Qutub Minar	Aibak/Iltutmish	Tall minaret
Alai Darwaza	Alauddin Khilji	Horseshoe arch
Siri Fort	Alauddin Khilji	Defence fort
Tughlaqabad Fort	Ghiyasuddin	Massive stone fort
Hauz Khas	Alauddin	Water reservoir
Firoz Shah Kotla	Firoz Tughlaq	Administrative buildings

Style:

Indo-Islamic Architecture

7. Important Battles (SSC GD Favourite)

Battle	Year	Result
1st Battle of Panipat	1526	Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi
Mongol Invasions	Various	Khiljis defended successfully

8. Quick Revision Table

Topic	Key Point
Founder of Delhi Sultanate	Aibak
Real founder	Iltutmish
Only woman ruler	Razia Sultana
Greatest ruler	Alauddin Khilji
Wisest fool	Muhammad bin Tughlaq
Tughlaq reforms failed	Token currency, Capital shift
Last sultan	Ibrahim Lodi
End of Sultanate	1526
New empire began	Mughal Empire