Delhi Sultanate: Slave Dynasty

The first ruler of the Slave Dynasty (or named as Gulam Dynasty) was Qutbuddin Aibak who ruled from 1206 to 1210 A.D. He established his capital at Lahore. Qutbuddin Aibak was born in Turkistan. Though he was ugly in appearance, he was intelligent and impressive in behaviour. He was taken as a prisoner and sold to the Qazi of Nishapur named Fakhruddin as a slave in his childhood. He was taken care and provided with proper education and military training by the kind-hearted Qazi but soon after the death of the Qazi, his sons sold Aybak to Muhammad Ghori. He was well versed in Islamic theology, horse riding and swordsmanship. Owing to his skill and qualities, he soon attracted the attention of his master and was appointed commander of a troop. Shortly afterwards battles; he was promoted to the post of Amir-i-Akhur, the master of the royal stable. When ghori invaded India, Aibak came with his master and provided him his active support during battles. The successes of his master by and large depended on his military skill. Ghori was immensely Indian empire. In 1206 A.D., on his way to Ghazni, Ghori died. His empire was inherited by his salves, as he had no son to jsucceed him. Aybak, who was a viceroy of his Indian Empire was invited by the Amirs of Lahore to assume the powers. He bestowed the title of Malik and sipahasalaar on himself. Muhammad Ghori had no male successor to inherit his empire; hence his nephew, Ghiyasuddin Mahmud ascended the throne of Ghori after his death in 1206 A.D.

Sultan Qutbuddin Aibak also called "Lakh Baksh" was the first Mushlim ruler of India who ruled from his capital in Lahore. He patronized scholars such as Hasan Nizami and Fakhra-i-Mudabbir, both of whom dedicated their works to Aibak. Aibak was the first muslim ruler who setteld in India and ruled unlike the earlier muslims, who come and only raided and plundered. Thought his temure as a ruler was only four years, and most of them were spent in dealing with the revolts of nobles like Taj-ud-din Ildiz, Nasir-ud-din Qubachah and a few Hindu chiefs, yet he established a firm administrative system. He started the construction of Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque at Delhi and Adhai Din ka Jhopara (Ajmer). He also laid the foundation of the Qutb Minar, which was completed by his successor Iltutmish. He was known as Lakh Baksh for his generosity. He never took title of "Sultan" but according to question option (d) is the correct answer.

Sultan Qutbuddin Aibak also called "Lakh Baksh" was the first Mushlim ruler of India who ruled from his capital in Lahore. He patronized scholars such as Hasan Nizami and Fakhra-i-Mudabbir, both of whom dedicated their works to Aibak. Aibak was the first muslim ruler who setteld in India and ruled unlike the earlier muslims, who come and only raided and plundered. Thought his temure as a ruler was only four years, and most of them were spent in dealing with the revolts of nobles like Taj-ud-din Ildiz, Nasir-ud-din Qubachah and a few Hindu chiefs, yet he established a firm administrative system. He started the construction of Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque at Delhi and Adhai Din ka Jhopara (Ajmer). He also laid the foundation of the Qutb Minar, which was completed by his successor Iltutmish. He was known as Lakh Baksh for his generosity. He never took title of "Sultan" but according to question option (d) is the correct answer.

Sultan Qutbuddin Aibak also called "Lakh Baksh" was the first Mushlim ruler of India who ruled from his capital in Lahore. He patronized scholars such as Hasan Nizami and Fakhra-i-Mudabbir, both of whom dedicated their works to Aibak. Aibak was the first muslim ruler who setteld in India and ruled unlike the earlier muslims, who come and only raided and plundered. Thought his temure as a ruler was only four years, and most of them were spent in dealing with the revolts of nobles like Taj-ud-din Ildiz, Nasir-ud-din Qubachah and a few Hindu chiefs, yet he established a firm administrative system. He started the construction of Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque at Delhi and Adhai Din ka Jhopara (Ajmer). He also laid the foundation of the Qutb Minar, which was completed by his successor Iltutmish. He was known as Lakh Baksh for his generosity. He never took title of "Sultan" but according to question option (d) is the correct answer.

Qutbuddin Aybak, the founder of the Delhi Sultanate, started construction of the Qutb Minar, which was complete by Iltutmish. The topmost storey was damaged by lightning which was rebuilt by Firuz Shah Tughluq. Firuz Shah Tughluq rebuilt the fourth floor of Qutb Minar as well as built the fifth floor. Ghiyasuddin Tughluq contributed nothing to its construction. From the above options, option (c) is the correct answer.

Qutbuddin Aybak, the founder of the Delhi Sultanate, started construction of the Qutb Minar, which was complete by Iltutmish. The topmost storey was damaged by lightning which was rebuilt by Firuz Shah Tughluq. Firuz Shah Tughluq rebuilt the fourth floor of Qutb Minar as well as built the fifth floor. Ghiyasuddin Tughluq contributed nothing to its construction.

After the death of Muhammad Ghori in 1206, his General Qutbuddin Aybak, who was in charge of Lahore and north- Indian possessions was invited by Amirs of Lahore to assume the powers of Ghori. The capital of Qutbuddin Aybak was Lahore. Taj-ud-Din Yilduz, Governor of Kirman ascended the throne of Ghazni. It seems that it was the desire of Muhammad Ghori that Qutbuddin Aybak should succeed him in India. In his brief reign of four years (1206-10 A.D.), he moved his capital to Lahore to frustrate Yilduz's ambition of annexing Punjab. He strengthened his position by matrimonial alliances with influential rival Turkish Chief. Nasiruddin Qabacha of Multan refused to accept Quthuddin as the ruler of Delhi Sultanate. Due to this, Aybak always stayed in Lahore and never got the chance to move to Delhi.

In 1210, Qutbuddin Aibak died in an accident while he was playing Chaugan (polo). He fell from a horse and was severely injured. He was buried in Lahore near the Anarkali Bazaar. He was the founder of the Slave Dynasty in India.

Iltutmish (1211-36 AD) was the real founder of the Delhi Sultanate. Before this, Aibak ruled from Lahore. He is said to have introduced first Arabic silver (175 grain) and copper currency which were two basic coins of the sultanate period. In 1229, Iltutmish got recognition as the Muslim Sultan of India by the Caliph of Baghdad. Iltutmish, after that, assumed the title of 'Amir-ul-Mommini' or 'Commander of the faithful' and had the name of Khalifa inscribed on his coins. This was a great achievement of his life.

Iltutmish (1211-36 AD) was the real founder of the Delhi Sultanate. Before this, Aibak ruled from Lahore. He is said to have introduced first Arabic silver (175 grain) and copper currency which were two basic coins of the sultanate period. In 1229, Iltutmish got recognition as the Muslim Sultan of India by the Caliph of Baghdad. Iltutmish, after that, assumed the title of 'Amir-ul-Mommini' or 'Commander of the faithful' and had the name of Khalifa inscribed on his coins. This was a great achievement of his life.