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 |
|
Ottoman-Mamluk War (1485-1491) Ottoman-Mamluk War (1516-1517) |
|
Khalji Dynasty |
1290-1320 |
|
Attacks of Ranthambore Chittorgarh Mandu |
|
Tughlaq Dynasty |
1320-1414 |
|
Attacks of Timur (Tamerlane) Turco-Mongol trespasser |
|
Sayyid Dynasty |
1414-1451 |
|
_____ |
|
Lodi Dynasty |
1451-1526 |
|
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.
