Achievements of Razia: Sultan Razia (1236 - 1240 AD):-
Discuss the achievements of Razia.
Sultan Razia (1236 - 1240 AD):-
Razia's accession to the throne is undoubtedly a significant event in the history of the Sultanate of India. In this context, it is necessary to mention that the suffix ''Sultana Razia'' is not correct. Because the word Sultana means the wife of a Sultan; but Razia was not the wife of any Sultan. As the chosen successor of Iltutmish, she achieved the throne and ruled with her own power and talent. Razia herself called herself ''Sultan'' on her coins. Besides, historian Minhaj Siraj also called her ''Sultan''.
Razia's accession to the throne:-
Her father Iltutmish was choosing Razia as his heir. Satisfied with Razia's intelligence and administrative skills, Iltutmish issued silver coins with Razia's name engraved on them. But after Iltutmish's death, considering that the rule of women was against the principles of Islam, they placed Iltutmish's illegitimate son Ruknuddin Firoz on the throne. But Ruknuddin, who loved luxury and was inactive, was completely unfit for the task of governing. As a result, all the power of the state was concentrated in the hands of his mother Shah Tarkhan. Shah Tarkhan was of low birth and ambitious. With the help of her countless followers in the court, she started unspeakable atrocities throughout the empire. As a result, unrest and anarchy were created throughout the empire.
Then the rulers of the provinces of Multan, Lahore, Hansi, Badaun, etc. rebelled against Shah Tarkhan and started marching towards Delhi. Razia took advantage of this situation and led the rebel rulers. Many military and royal officials also supported Razia. Finally, the Amir-Umrah of Delhi deposed Ruknuddin and installed Razia on the throne.
Features and importance of Razia's accession to the throne:-
Razia's accession to the throne was important for several reasons. For example -
(i) Razia's accession to the throne was the first in the history of the Delhi Sultanate to be supported by the citizens. The source of Razia's power was the support of the citizens.
(ii) Razia had entered into an agreement with the citizens of Delhi. Razia had promised that she would abdicate the throne if she could not fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the citizens of Delhi.
(iii) Razia's nomination by Iltutmish was proved to be reasonable.
(iv) The importance of the Ulema in the succession to the throne decreased.
(v) Razia successfully governed as the first woman in the history of Sultanate rule.
Razia's initial problems:-
Razia's accession to the throne was not smooth. She had to face various problems after ascending the throne. For example -
(i) Razia used to wear men's clothes and conduct the affairs of the state. This made the orthodox Muslims intolerant.
(ii) Excessive favor towards an Abyssinian servant named Yakat became a cause of annoyance and jealousy of the Turkish Emir Umrah.
(iii) Malik Muhammad Junaid, the leader of the forty circles against Razia, continued to oppose Razia's accession to the throne.
(iv) Although she helped to dethrone Ruknuddin from the throne, the rulers of various provinces like Multan, Hansi, Lahore, Badaun - etc. continued to oppose Razia's accession to the throne.
(v) The governors of Lahore, Multan, Hansi and Badaun provinces besieged Delhi.
Razia's political strategy: -
Iltutmish had already come to know about Razia's political skills. Although Razia faced various problems after ascending the throne, her strong political foresight established her throne on a solid basis.
First, she created a division among the rebel Amir Umrahs and was able to bring the opposing Amirs to her side. Razia brought rebel leaders like Kabir Khan, Muhammad Salari to her side. Razia killed Muhammad Junaid, the main leader of the forty circles opposing Razia. In this way, Razia secured her throne with a realistic political strategy.
Suppression of the rebellion of the provincial leaders: -
Razia suppressed the rebellion of the provincial governors very efficiently. She had already killed Muhammad Junaid, the main rebel leader of the forty circles. He suppressed the rebellion of Kabir Khan, the ruler of Lahore, with a strong hand. Historian Minhaj Siraj says that the provincial governors of a vast region from Bengal to the Sindh region were forced to accept the authority of Razia.
Control of the power of the forty circles: -
Until the reign of Iltutmish, the Sultan himself used to try to satisfy the forty circles or 'Bandegan-i-Chahalgani'. But this system changed for the first time during Razia's reign. Razia was the first to reduce all the powers of the forty circles and centralize all the power in her own hands. She abolished the forty circles in a way.
Formation of her loyal group: -
Razia destroyed the power of the elite Muslims by appointing non-Turkish Muslims to various high positions in the administration. In the process of administering the government, Razia formed a loyal group of non-Turkish Muslims. He appointed Jamaluddin Yakat, a non-Turkish Abyssinian retainer, to high positions in the administration. Razia reduced all the royal officials who were the controllers of the sultanate's power to mere employees.
Conspiracy against Razia:-
The Turkish emirs plotted to dethrone Razia. With the help of the noble leader Balban and the royal official Aytegin, Altunia, the ruler of Bathinda in Punjab, declared a rebellion against Razia. Razia, accompanied by her chief general Jamaluddin Yakat Khan, advanced against Altunia. But Yakat was killed in the battle and Razia was captured by Altunia.
The final fate of Razia:-
When Razia was captured by Altunia, Razia's brother Bahram Shah ascended the throne and the Amir Umrah divided various high positions among themselves. But since Altunia did not obtain any high position, Altunia married Razia and together they marched towards Delhi. However, their own army turned against them and both Altunia and Razia were killed by the Sultan's forces.
Razia's achievements: -
Historian Nizami says - Razia was the greatest of Iltutmish's successors. Ferista says - Razia was extraordinary in diplomatic intelligence. Minhaj Siraj has described Razia as the best ruler, skilled in war, just, and merciful.
When talking about Razia's achievements, the first thing to say is that Razia declared a rebellion against the established system. By suppressing the forty circles, suppressing the rebellion of the provincial rulers - Razia has written a brilliant chapter in history as a woman. The courage and talent that Razia showed alone against the entire elite society, the Turkish Muslims, and the forty circles really deserves credit.
