CBSE Notes Class 7 History Chapter 3-Delhi Sultans

Delhi Sultans

Delhi developed into a significant commercial hub under the Tomara and Chauhan dynasties. The city was home to many wealthy Jaina merchants who built a number of temples. Here, dehliwal coins were made and circulated widely. The establishment of the Delhi Sultanate at the start of the 13th century marked the beginning of Delhi's transformation into a city that ruled over sizable portions of the subcontinent. In the region that is now known as Delhi, the Delhi Sultans constructed numerous cities.

Rulers of Delhi

1. Qutb-ud-din Aibak (1206-1210): He was the founder of the Delhi Sultanate and the first Muslim ruler of Delhi. He established his capital at Delhi and laid the foundation of the Qutub Minar.

2. Iltutmish (1211-1236): He succeeded Qutb-ud-din Aibak and consolidated the Delhi Sultanate. He introduced important administrative and military reforms and expanded the kingdom's territories.

3. Razia Sultana (1236-1240): She was the first and only female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate. Despite facing opposition, she ruled with determination and tried to bring about administrative and military reforms.

4. Balban (1266-1287): He played a crucial role in consolidating the power of the Delhi Sultanate. Balban strengthened the administration, implemented strict law and order policies, and dealt with internal and external threats.

5. Alauddin Khilji (1296-1316): Known for his military campaigns and administrative reforms, Alauddin Khilji expanded the boundaries of the Delhi Sultanate. He introduced market regulations and revenue reforms to strengthen the economy.

6. Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325-1351): Muhammad bin Tughlaq was known for his administrative experiments, including the shifting of the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad. His rule was marked by both successes and failures.

7. Firuz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388): He is remembered for his efforts in infrastructure development, including the construction of canals and buildings. He also focused on welfare measures and encouraged the growth of art and culture.

8. Sikander Lodi (1489-1517): He was the founder of the Lodi dynasty and ruled with a focus on administrative reforms. His reign witnessed territorial expansion and the promotion of regional culture.

9. Ibrahim Lodi (1517-1526): The last ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, Ibrahim Lodi faced challenges from regional kingdoms. His defeat in the Battle of Panipat in 1526 marked the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the beginning of the Mughal Empire.

Finding Out about the Delhi Sultans

Tarikh (singular)/tawarikh (plural) are valuable histories, written in Persian, the language of administration under the Delhi Sultans that provide a lot of information. It was written by learned men- secretaries, administrators, poets and courtiers, who both recounted events and advised rulers on governance, emphasising the importance of the just rule. Following ideas to keep in mind:

(1) the authors of tawarikh lived in cities (mainly Delhi) and hardly ever in villages.

(2) They often wrote their histories for Sultans in the hope of rich rewards.

(3) These authors advised rulers on the need to preserve an “ideal” social order based on birth right and gender distinctions.

Not everybody followed these ideas.

In 1236-Sultan Iltutmish’s daughter, Raziyya became Sultan-chronicler of the age, Minhaj-i Siraj, stated she was more able and qualified than all her brothers-He was not comfortable at having a queen as ruler- Nobles not happy at her attempts to rule independently. 1240-She was removed from the throne.

From Garrison Town to Empire: The Expansion of the Delhi Sultanate

Early in the 13th century, control of the Delhi Sultans was rarely extended beyond heavily fortified towns occupied by garrisons. Sultans also rarely had control over the hinterlands of the cities and were reliant on trade, tribute, or looting for supplies. It was also challenging for Delhi to maintain control over garrison towns in distant Bengal and Sind due to rebellion, war, and even inclement weather.- The Sultanate's first set of wars along its "internal frontier" comprised clearing forests in the Ganga to consolidate the hinterlands of the garrison towns.Yamuna Doab and the eviction of pastoralists and hunter-gatherers from their homes; land grants to peasants; encouragement of agriculture; new fortresses, garrison towns, and towns established to protect trade routes; second expansion along the Sultanate's "external frontier"; military expeditions into southern India that began under the rule of Alauddin Khalji and ended under the rule of Muhammad Tughluq; in their campaigns, Sultanate armies capBy the end of Muhammad Tughluq's rule, the Delhi Sultanate's army had conquered a sizable portion of the Indian subcontinent, routed enemy forces, and taken control of cities. The Sultanate also collected taxes from the peasantry and administered justice throughout its domain.

The Masjid

A mosque called a masjid in Arabic, is a place where a Muslim prostrates in reverence to Allah. In a “congregational mosque” (masjid-i-jami or jama masjid) Muslims read their prayers (namaz) together. Members of the congregation choose the most respected, learned male as their leader (imam) for the rituals of prayer, who also delivers the sermon (khutba) during the Friday prayer. During prayer, Muslims stand facing Mecca. In India this is to the west. This is called the qibla. Delhi Sultans built several mosques in cities all over the subcontinent and it demonstrated their claims to be protectors of Islam and Muslims.

The Masjid

A Muslim prostrates in front of Allah in a mosque, known as a masjid in Arabic. Muslim congregations gather in a "congregational mosque" (masjid-i-jami or jama masjid) to read the prayers (namaz). The most revered and knowledgeable male is chosen by the congregation to serve as their imam, who also gives the sermon (khutba) during the Friday prayer. Muslims stand face Mecca while they pray. This is to the west in India. It is known as the qibla. The Delhi Sultans constructed a number of mosques in various places throughout the subcontinent, proving their claim to be guardians of Islam and Muslims.

A Closer Look: Administration and Consolidation under the Khaljis and Tughluqs

A Closer Look: Administration and Consolidation under the Khaljis and Tughluqs" focuses on the administrative systems and consolidation efforts carried out by the Khalji and Tughluq dynasties during the Delhi Sultanate. Here is an overview of this topic:

Khalji Dynasty:

The Khalji dynasty came to power after overthrowing the last ruler of the Balban dynasty.

Alauddin Khalji, the most prominent ruler of this dynasty, implemented significant administrative reforms.

Administrative Reforms under Alauddin Khalji:

Alauddin Khalji centralized power and established an efficient administrative system.

He introduced the "dagh" system to mark horses for efficient military management.

The market control mechanism known as "Sijda and Paibos" helped regulate prices and maintain economic stability.

Revenue Reforms:

Alauddin Khalji implemented revenue reforms to strengthen the treasury.

The "Zabti" system was introduced, which fixed land revenue based on the measurement of cultivated land.

The "Hundis" system was established for efficient revenue collection and treasury management.

Expansion of Territories:

The Khaljis expanded the Delhi Sultanate's territories through military campaigns.

Alauddin Khalji successfully conquered Gujarat, Ranthambore, and parts of Southern India.

The objective of these campaigns was to increase the Sultanate's power and control over strategic regions.

Tughluq Dynasty:

The Tughluq dynasty succeeded the Khaljis and was known for its administrative and territorial policies.

Ghiyasuddin Tughluq, followed by his son Muhammad bin Tughluq, were the prominent rulers of this dynasty.

Administrative Centralization:

Muhammad bin Tughluq attempted to establish a highly centralized administrative system.

He introduced token currency and shifted the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (Devgiri), which led to administrative challenges and economic disruptions.

Infrastructure Development:

The Tughluq rulers focused on infrastructure development projects.

Muhammad bin Tughluq constructed forts, canals, and public buildings, showcasing architectural and engineering skills.

Challenges and Decline:

The ambitious policies of Muhammad bin Tughluq, such as the failed experiment of token currency and the capital shift, resulted in administrative and economic difficulties.

The Tughluq dynasty faced challenges from regional powers and rebellions, leading to the decline of their rule.

The Sultanate in the 15th and 16th Centuries

The Tughluqs, the Sayyid, and the Lodi dynasties ruled from Delhi and Agra until 1526; during this time, Jaunpur, Bengal, Malwa, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and the entirety of south India had independent rulers who established prosperous states and prosperous capitals. This period saw the rise of new ruling groups like the Afghans and the Rajputs, who were small but incredibly powerful and well-run. Sher Shah Sur (1540–1545) began his career as the administrator of a small region in Bihar for his uncle. He later challenged and defeated the Mughal emperor Humayun (1530–1540, 1555–1566), captured Delhi, and founded his own dynasty. The Sur dynasty ruled for fifteen years (1540–1555) and instituted an administration that took cues from Alauddin Khalji and improved them. Sher Shah's administration