Rulers of Delhi Sultanate

Rulers of Delhi Sultanate

• The Mamluk Dynasty (1206-1290)
• The Khilji Dynasty (1290 -1320)
• The Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414)
• The Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451)
• The Afghan Lodi Dynasty (1451-1526)

Let’s find out more about these great dynasties and the Rulers of Delhi Sultanate.

The Mamluk Dynasty (1206-1290)

Here is a list of the Mamluk Rulers of the Delhi Sultanate in this era.

• Qutb-ud-din Aibak was the first ruler of the Mamluk Dynasty (also called the slave dynasty). He was a generous ruler and ruled over the Sultanate of Delhi for over four years. Qutb-ud-din Aibak laid the foundation of Qutub Minar.
• Another important ruler of the Mamluk Dynasty was Shams-ud-din Iltutmish. He was the son-in-law of Qutb-ud-din Aibak. Shams-ud-din Iltumish was known for the Iqta system of land revenue and the completion of Qutub Minar.
• After Shams-us-din Iltumish, his military trained daughter Raziya Sultan (Raziyat-ud-din Sultana) took over the Sultanate of Delhi. Balban succeded Raziya Sultan, followed by his grandson Qaiqabad (Kaikubad).
• Jalal-ud-din Firuz Khilji aka Malik Firuz killed Qaiqabad and put an end to the Mamluk Dynasty or Slave Dynasty.

The Khilji Dynasty (1290-1320)

Here is the list of Khilji rulers who ruled over Delhi Sultanate in this era.

• Jalal-ud-din Firuz Khilji was also known as the general of slaves and a very smart sultan. He avoided wars with invaders such as Halaku and Ulugh Khan. In fact, he made peace with Ulugh Khan by giving his daughter.
• Jalal-ud-din Firuz Khilji was assassinated by his nephew Ala-ud-din Khilji. He was the first Muslim ruler to be brave enough to cross the Satpuras, Vindhyas and Narmada River to conquer Deccan.
• Ala-ud-din Khilji passed away in the year 1316 and was succeeded by his son Mubarak Shah. Mubarak Shah was killed by Khusru Khan who sat on the throne of Delhi Sultanate for some time. Later, he was killed by Ghiyath-al-din Tughluq, which marked the era of the Tughlaq Dynasty.

The Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414)

Here is the list of Tughlaq rulers who ruled over Delhi Sultanate in this era.

• The first ruler of the Tughlaq Dynasty was Ghiyath-al-Din Tughlaq, who was also known by the name Ghazi Malik.
• He was succeeded by Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq who was known for his misadventures related to administration and war.
• Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq was succeeded by Firuz Shah Tughlaq who was half Muslim (his mother was a Hindu). He was known to establish cities. Under his reign, cities like Firuzshah Kotla (Delhi), Hisar, Jaunpur (West Bengal), Fatahabad, Firozabad were founded.
• After the demise of Firuz Shah Tughlaq, his successors were killed one by one and the Delhi Sultanate lost its charm and importance.

The Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451)

Here is the list of Sayyid Rulers of Delhi Sultanate in this era.

• After the Tughlaq Dynasty, Khizr Khan founded the Sayyid Dynasty. He was the governor of Multan and Timur’s deputy in India. Khizr Khan died of illness and was succeeded by his son Mubarak Shah.
• Mubarak Shah had a vision of expanding the empire, but his plans were foiled by opposition and revolts of the nobles. Even with this opposition, Mubarak Shah was an efficient ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.
• After Mubarak Shah, the Delhi Sultanate was ruled by two incompetent rulers – Muhammad Shah and Ala-ud-din Alam Shah thereafter. Ala-ud-din Alam Shah was the last ruler of the Sayyid Dynasty. He gave up the throne voluntarily in favour of Bahlol Lodi.

The Afghan Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526) –

Here is the list of Afghan Lodi Rulers of Delhi Sultanate in this era.

• The rulers of the Afghan Lodi Dynasty were the last rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. They tried their best to bring Delhi to the past glory, but could not succeed.
• Bahlol Lodi was the first ruler of the Afghan Lodi Dynasty and was succeeded by his son Sikandar Lodi.
• Sikandar Lodi was known for his leadership and thirst for supremacy. He launched campaigns against several kingdoms. In the year 1503, he established the city of Agra. He also transferred his headquarter to Agra due to its strategic location.
• Sikandar Lodi was succeeded by his son Ibrahim Lodi, who was the last of the Sultans of the Delhi Sultanate.
• One of Ibrahim Lodi’s uncles, Daulat Khan Lodi, fled to Kabul and invited Babur to attack India. Taking Daulat Khan Lodi’s advice, Babur attacked Northern India and thus the Afghan Lodi Dynasty came to an end.