Delhi-sultanate / Delhi Sultanate / Foundation of Delhi Sultanate

Foundation of Delhi Sultanate

The Delhi Sultanate emerged as a prominent empire spanning over three centuries in Northern India and extended its influence across a significant portion of Southern Asia

  • Established in 1206 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, it marked the inception of the Mamluk Dynasty, which is also known as the Slave dynasty according to some historians
  • Following the reign of the Mamluk Dynasty, the Delhi Sultanate witnessed the succession of four more dynasties, making a total of five:
    • Mamluk or Slave Dynasty (1206-1290)
    • Khilji Dynasty (1290-1320)
    • Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414)
    • Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451)
    • Lodi Dynasty (1451-1526)

Background of Delhi Sultanate

  • The Delhi Sultanate stood as an empire for three centuries, characterized by the rule of short-lived emperors primarily hailing from Turkey and Afghanistan. 
  • From 1206 to 1526 CE, they governed from the capital of Delhi. 
  • However, in 1526 CE, the last emperor of the Delhi Sultanate, Ibrahim Lodi, met his downfall as he was defeated and overthrown by the Mughal emperor Babur in the Battle of Panipat, marking the establishment of the Mughal Empire in place of the Delhi Sultanate. 
  • The entire duration of the Delhi Sultanate's rule, from 1206 to 1526, is often termed as the "period of cultural intermixing".

Dynasty and Emperors of Delhi Sultanate

Dynasty of Delhi Sultanate 

Time Span of the Dynasty

Emperors of the Dynasty

Famous Incidents

Mamluk or Slave Dynasty 

1206-1290

  • Qutb-ud-din Aibak
  • Shams-ud-din Iltutmish
  • Razia Begum
  • Muizuddin Bahram Shah
  • Alauddin Masud Shah
  • Nasiruddin Mahmud

Ottoman-Mamluk War (1485-1491)

Ottoman-Mamluk War (1516-1517) 

Khalji Dynasty

1290-1320

  • Jalal-ud-din Khilji
  • Alauddin Khilji
  • Mubarak Khilji

Attacks of Ranthambore

Chittorgarh

 Mandu

Tughlaq Dynasty

1320-1414

  • Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
  • Muhammad Bin Tughlaq
  • Firuz Shah Tughlaq
  • Nasiruddin Mahmud

Attacks of

Timur (Tamerlane)

Turco-Mongol trespasser 

Sayyid Dynasty

1414-1451

  • Khizr Khan
  • Mubarak Shah
  • Muhammad Shah
  • Alam Shah

_____

Lodi Dynasty

1451-1526

  • Bahlol Lodi
  • Sikander Lodi
  • Ibrahim Lodi

Battle of Panipat

The table above provides a timeline highlighting the Delhi Sultanate, focusing on the duration of each dynasty and the emperors within those dynasties. Emperors of the Delhi Sultanate stand out as a significant chapter in Indian History preceding the Mughal Empire. 

Notably, the Khilji dynasty era witnessed several famous wars, with Alauddin Khilji emerging as a prominent figure renowned for his military achievements. However, his rule was also marked by his cruel nature and harsh treatment of the defeated populace post-battle.