Delhi Sultanate: Slave Dynasty

It is said that Balban had adopted the policy of 'blood and iron.' The main characteristic of the leadership of Balban was - First, the divine right of kings and second, the Sultan must be autocratic. According to him, "Sultan is a representative of God (Niyamat-e-Khudai) on earth and his place comes after Paigambar. Sultan gets the inspiration and strenth from God to work. Due to this, the public and the Sardars have no right to criticize his work."

Ghiyasuddin Balban was the ruler of the Slave Dynasty in Delhi Sultanate. He ruled from 1266 to 1286 A.D. He assumed the title of emperor as a divine act of God and took all the powers in his hands. He introduced the custom of Sijdah and Pailbos. He constructed strong forts at he northwest border to defend from the attacks of Mongols. Assertion (A) and reason (R) both are correct, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

Balban established his political model inspired by famed public heroes. He tried to provide highly respected reputationto the reign. He was considered as the representative of God (Niyamat-e-Khudai) on the earth. According to Balban, he comes after Paigambar in dignity. The king is 'Jill-e-Allah' or 'Jille-llahi' means 'Image of God. Balban was the first Sultan, who had established kingship theory. He told his son - "The position of Sultan is the symbol of autocracy."

Balban was the first ruler to propound the 'theory of Kingship' similar to the 'theory of divine right of the kings. He said, "Sultan is representative of God on earth and his place comes after Paigambar".

Balban made some rules and regulations for his court and strictly enforced them. Iranian kings were his ideal in this field and introduced many of their traditions in his court. He introduced the rituals of Sizdah (greeting lying on the ground) and Pailbos (kissing the feet of the king). He also introduced the rituals to celebrate the Persian festival 'Navroz.'

Balban made some rules and regulations for his court and strictly enforced them. Iranian kings were his ideal in this field and introduced many of their traditions in his court. He introduced the rituals of Sizdah (greeting lying on the ground) and Pailbos (kissing the feet of the king). He also introduced the rituals to celebrate the Persian festival 'Navroz.'

The actual name of Balban was Baha-ud-din. Nasirudding Mehmood had given him the title of 'Ulugh Khan'. He assumed the title 'Zil-e-Ilahi'. His tenure was from 1266 to 1286 century. Balban is famous for his reign theory. His royal principle of nature and essence was inspired by Persian reign. Balban described the king as 'Niyamat-e-Khudai' (representative of God). After attaining the power, he abolished the 'Turkan-e-Chahalgani', established by Iltutmish. The only revolt in the period of Balban was done by Subedar of Bengal, Tughril Khan in 1279 A.D., which was quelled by Balban and the rebels were hanged. The system of Iqtadari was introduced by Iltutmish.

Balban has called himself the 'Helper of a Caliph' in his inscription on the walls of the Mosque at Garhmukteshwar.

Tughril Khan revolted during the period of Balban. This rebellion took place in protest against the appointment of Amin Khan in Bengal. Over time Tugril fled fearing Balban's Bengal Campaign.

Slave dynasty was the first of five unrelated dynasties to rule India during Sultanate period from 1206 to 1290. Qutbuddin Aibak ascended the throne of Delhi sultanate in 1206 and with him started a new line of successive kings in Delhi Sultanate. He was the founder of slave dynasty. Qutbuddin Aibak and all his successors were slaves to their respective predecessors.