Delhi Sultanate (12th-15th Centuries)

Delhi Sultanate (12th-15th Centuries)

• This chapter deals with the history of Delhi from the 12th to the 15th centuries
• During this period, Delhi became the capital and a major commercial center

Rulers of Delhi

• Rajput Dynasties
  • Tomars: Initially ruled Delhi, followed by the Chauhans
  • Chauhans: Defeated the Tomars and seized Delhi
    • The Chauhan's origin was Ajmer
• Turkish Rulers
  • Several rulers followed including Qutbuddin Aibak, Shamsuddin Iltutmish, Razia, Ghiyasuddin Balban
  • Razia: The only female ruler in this dynasty, making her reign particularly significant.
• Khilji Dynasty
  • Key rulers included Alauddin Khilji.
• Tughlaq Dynasty
  • Key rulers included Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, Muhammad Tughlaq, Firuz Shah Tughlaq
• Lodi Dynasty
  • The ruler was an individual ruler and their rule was short-lived

Tomars and Chauhans

• Both were Rajput dynasties, with the Tomars ruling first
• They were defeated by the Chauhans, gaining control of Delhi
• Coins of that time were called "dehliwal"

Delhi as a Commercial Center

• Delhi was a center of commerce, leading to its establishment as a capital
• Delhi Sultans initiated development of the area

Understanding Delhi Under the Sultans

• Tarikh/Tawarikh
  • These terms refer to histories, with "tarikh" being singular and "tawarikh" being plural
  • These are Persian words used in administration, even in Delhi, due to the language preferences of the Turkish rulers

Content and Purpose

• Tawarikh books included details of events and administrative practices and served as a reference for rulers
• Secretaries, administrators, and poets read the Tawarikh to understand and implement rules
• The Author of Tawarikh tend to reside in cities

The Circle of Justice

• Fakhr-i Mudabbir emphasized the importance of soldiers to a king
• For soldiers, salaries were provided by revenue collected from peasants
• Peasants could pay when happy with a just and honest king
• This cycle shows the interdependence between the King, Soldiers, and Peasants

Perspectives in Tawarikh

• Authors wrote to advise rulers, focusing on birth rights and gender distinctions
• Birth right: Sons inherit their fathers' positions and properties, like succession to the throne
• Gender distinction: Social and biological differences influence roles and rights, disadvantaging women

Razia Sultan (1236)

• Iltutmish's daughter, Razia, was considered more qualified than her brothers
• Minhaj-i Siraj, a chronicler, acknowledged Razia's capabilities, but didn't want a woman ruler because of gender bias
• Nobles were also uncomfortable with a woman ruler
• Razia was removed from the throne in 1240, after ruling for four years

Minhaj-i Siraj's Views on Women

• Believed women should be subordinate to men
• He thought women couldn't possess the same excellence as men
• Razia inscribed on her coins that she was daughter of Iltutmish

Other Notable Queens

• Queen Rudramadevi: From the Kakatiya dynasty (Warangal, Andhra Pradesh); Ruled as a man
• Queen Didda: Ruled Kashmir; Her name means "elder sister," indicating respect

Administration Under the Khiljis and Tughlaqs

• Sultans avoided appointing aristocrats as governors, relying on slaves for loyalty
• Military slaves (Bandagan) were purchased for military service
• Bandagan were trained and trusted due to their loyalty
• Employing such slaves was seen as crucial to preventing power grabs by family
• Ilutmish were especially known to use slaves

Use of Bandagan

• Bandagan refers to slaves purchased for military service and state work
• The Khiljis and Tughlaqs elevated slaves to high political positions, such as generals and governors
• While loyal to the Sultan, slaves were not necessarily loyal to their heirs
• This led to new conflicts between the old and new nobility
• Authors of Tawarikh criticized the Sultans for appointing low-born individuals to high positions

Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq's Appointments

• Appointed individuals like Aziz Khummar (a wine distiller), Firuz Hajjjam (a barber), Manka Tabbakh (a cook), and two gardeners (Ladha and Pira) to high posts
• This upset chroniclers like Ziauddin Barani, who were concerned about the Sultan's judgment.

Military Commanders as Governors

• Khiljis and Tughlaqs appointed military commanders as governors
• Lands given to governors were called "iqtas"
• The holders of these lands were "iqtadar" or "muqti"

Responsibilities of Muqtis

• They collected taxes to maintain soldiers and their establishments
• Muqtis were expected to maintain their armies
• They also had to submit accounts to the Sultan
• The state appointed accountants to check the collected revenue

Control Over Chieftains

• Delhi Sultans suppressed landowners ("samanta aristocrats")
• Land was sometimes confiscated from chieftains
• Land was assessed to account for taxes due

Agricultural Taxes

• There were three types of taxes: on cultivation (kharaj), cattle, and houses
• Kharaj was 50% of peasant produce

Extent of the Sultanate

• The Sultanate controlled vast areas, but it was difficult to control distant areas such as Bengal
• Some regions like Bengal became independent

Forests and Fortifications

• Densely forested areas like the Gangetic plain were difficult to control
• Local chieftains ruled these regions using fortifications
• Ibn Battuta described mountain dwellers fortified with stones and bamboo
• Bamboo was strong, not hollow, making it an important construction resource

Defense Through Bamboo

• Bamboos were intertwined, dominating the landscape and providing defense
• The chiefs lived inside these fortifications with livestock and crops

Mongol Invasions

• Under Genghis Khan, Mongol invasions began in the early 13th century
• The Mongol's targeted the Delhi Sultanate under Alauddin Khalji and Muhammad Tughlaq
• This forced rulers to mobilize large standing armies in Delhi.

The Sultanates (15th-16th Centuries)

• The Tughlaqs and Lodis controlled only Delhi and Agra
• Other areas, such as Jaunpur, Bengal, Gujarat, and South India, were ruled by independent rulers.
• Afgans and Rajput states captured territory

Sher Shah Suri

• Sher Shah Suri started as a small ruler in Bihar under his uncle.
• He defeated the Mughal Emperor Humayun and captured Delhi.
• The Mughal Emperor Akbar adopted many of Sher Shah Suri's administrative practices.