The role of Iltutmish in strengthening the Delhi Sultanate.
The role of Iltutmish in strengthening the Delhi Sultanate.
Who was the real founder of the Delhi Sultanate? Discuss his achievements.
Iltutmish (1211 - 1236 AD):-
After the death of Qutbuddin, his adopted son Aram Shah ascended the throne of Delhi. But Aram Shah was unfit to rule the state. For this reason, the Turkish emirs of Delhi invited Iltutmish, Qutbuddin's son-in-law and the ruler of the Badaun province, to ascend the throne of Delhi. Iltutmish defeated Aram Shah in 1211 AD and seized the throne of Delhi.
Declaration of independence of several provinces:-
But Iltutmish's accession to the throne was not at all comfortable. After the death of Qutbuddin, Alimardan Khalji declared independence in Bangladesh. Nasiruddin Qubacha, the ruler of Multan, declared himself independent and captured Bathinda. Jalore and Ranthambore declared independence. Ajmer, Gwalior and the Doab region fell from the hands of the Sultan of Delhi. Tajuddin claimed sovereignty over India.
Suppression of the rebellion of the Amirs and Umrahs:-
Iltutmish took steps with a steadfast mind in this critical situation. First, he suppressed the rebellious Amirs and Umrahs and brought Delhi and nearby areas like Badaun, Ayodhya, Varanasi under his control. Then he fought with Tajuddin and Nasiruddin.
Defeat and death of Tajuddin and Nasiruddin:
In 1216 AD, Tajuddin was defeated and imprisoned in a battle near Tarain. Later, he was killed in Badaun prison. In 1217 AD, Nasiruddin was defeated by Iltutmish and took refuge in Sindh. In 1228 AD, when Iltutmish attacked Sindh, Nasiruddin committed suicide, seeing no other option. Sindh region came under the control of Iltutmish.
Speaking about the significance of the victory over Tajuddin and Nasiruddin, Dr. Habibullah says that as a result, Delhi was freed from the clutches of Central Asian politics.
Mongol leader Genghis Khan's invasion of India:
At the same time that Iltutmish was busy suppressing internal rebellions, the Mongol leader Genghis Khan arrived in India with a large Mongol army in 1221 AD. When Genghis Khan attacked the Kharazim kingdom, Prince Jalaluddin Mangbarni took refuge in Punjab. Genghis Khan pursued him and advanced to Sindh. In this situation, Jalaluddin Mangbarni sought refuge from Iltutmish. But Iltutmish was not in favor of bringing danger to the Delhi Sultanate by sheltering Jalaluddin against Genghis Khan. Therefore, he politely rejected Jalaluddin's request. Satisfied with Iltutmish's neutrality, Genghis Khan left India. In this way, Iltutmish saved the Delhi Sultanate from a major crisis.
Strengthening the foundation of hereditary monarchy: -
By solving the initial problems with organizational talent, he strengthened the foundation of the Sultanate empire and was able to strengthen the foundation of hereditary monarchy with twenty-six years of tireless work. The ideal of hereditary monarchy dominated the Delhi throne for the next thirty years, and Iltutmish's descendants were considered the sole heirs to the throne.
The real founder of the city of Delhi: -
Iltutmish was the real founder of the city of Delhi in the Middle Ages. Several mosques, madrasas, minarets, etc. were built under his patronage. As a center of Muslim culture, Delhi gained fame outside India during Iltutmish's reign. The description of the historian Minhaj-us-Siraj reveals the cultural patronage of Iltutmish.
Formation of a strong centralized administration: -
Iltutmish laid the real foundation for the centralized administration of the Delhi Sultanate. During Iltutmish's reign, the monarchy was exclusively dependent on the support of Turkish slave servants and non-Turkish foreigners. He always tried to gain the support of local nobilities to organize local law and order. Iltutmish's ability to coordinate between different groups of nobilities was excellent.
Recognition by the Khalifa:-
Iltutmish conquered Sindh. Then, by recapturing Ranthambore, he suppressed the Khilji rulers of Bengal. Gwalior also came under his control. He invaded Malaya, captured the fort of Bhilsa and destroyed Ujjain. When he had thus established his power, the Khalifa of Baghdad bestowed upon him the title of king in 1228 AD. This increased his status and his rule over India was recognized as legitimate.
Military:-
Iltutmish was able to form a strong central army. Arrangements were made to raise troops under the supervision of the central administration and to provide for them from the central treasury. Thus, a central army organization was started under the supervision of the central administration.
Coins:-
Among the Sultans of Delhi, Iltutmish was the first to introduce two types of coins, namely silver Tanka and copper Jital. According to Nelson Wright, the reign of Iltutmish is memorable in the history of coinage of Delhi. The Tanka introduced by him became a model for later Sultans and this Tanka transformed into the silver coin of the modern era.
The basic genius of Iltutmish is found in the organization of imperial administration. The ideals of administration that he established were more or less continued throughout the entire Sultanate period. The mental fortitude and diplomatic knowledge that he showed in critical situations while ascending the throne is rare among other Sultans of Delhi. He increased the size of the Sultanate empire and was the first among the Sultans of Delhi to obtain the approval of the Caliph, thereby increasing the glory of the empire.
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