Who were the Sultans of Delhi?(Conquest of India, Mongol invasions!)Delhi Sultanate History

Summary

The script narrates the rise and fall of the Delhi Sultanate, a powerful empire controlling much of the Indian subcontinent for over three centuries. It details the unlikely ascent of its founder, a former slave, and the empire's struggles against the Mongols. The narrative covers the sultanate's expansion, internal strife, and eventual decline, culminating in the Mughal conquest. It also touches on the enduring legacy of Delhi as a global hub.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The Delhi Sultanate emerged as a powerful entity controlling the strategic choke point between the Ganges and Indus River Valley systems, nearly conquering the entire Indian subcontinent.
• 🛡️ The sultanate successfully defended against the Mongol Empire's attempts to annex India, becoming a refuge for those fleeing the Mongols.
• 👑 The founders of the Delhi Sultanate were not of noble birth but rose from a low social class, with the first sultan, Qutb ud-Din Aibak, starting as a slave.
• 🎁 Aibak was known for his generosity, which became a common compliment in the region for centuries after his rule.
• 🐴 The Delhi Sultanate faced initial defeats against the Rajputs but adapted and eventually conquered them using superior cavalry and tactics.
• 🔄 The empire experienced periods of internal strife and civil war, with multiple leaders rising and falling, including a female ruler, Razia Sultana.
• 🌍 The sultanate attracted refugees from Central Asia and the Near East, enriching Delhi culturally and economically.
• 🏙️ Under Iltutmish's rule, Delhi transformed from a small city into a grand imperial capital, becoming a hub of culture, intellect, and commerce.
• 🐘 The Delhi Sultanate's military strength included a large contingent of war elephants, which ultimately proved ineffective against the Mughal's firearms.
• 💥 The empire's decline was marked by internal power struggles, culminating in its defeat by the Mughal Empire at the Battle of Panipat.
• 🏛️ Despite its fall, Delhi remains a significant global center for politics, economics, and culture, with a rich historical legacy.

Q & A

What was the strategic significance of the city of Delhi during the Delhi Sultanate period?

The city of Delhi was strategically located at the choke point between the Ganges and the Indus River Valley systems, which allowed the Delhi Sultanate to control a crucial area and exert influence over a vast region.

How did the Delhi Sultanate manage to defeat the Mongol Empire's attempts to annex India?

The Delhi Sultanate was powerful and organized, successfully repelling the Mongol Empire's invasion attempts, and even becoming a refuge for those fleeing the Mongols.

What was the origin of the Delhi Sultanate's founders, and how did their background differ from typical rulers of the time?

The founders of the Delhi Sultanate were not from royal, clerical, warrior, or merchant backgrounds. Instead, they were born into a social class where they were considered less than nothing, being bought and sold multiple times, including by their own family members.

Who was the young boy from East Persian town who later changed the course of history, and what was his early life like?

The young boy was a Turkistani who was auctioned off and bought by an elderly local magistrate. He was raised kindly alongside the magistrate's sons and taught valuable skills, which later helped him rise to power.

How did the Delhi Sultanate's governance change under the rule of Iltutmish?

Iltutmish, who had a similar origin story to the founder of the sultanate, moved the capital from Lahore to Delhi, transforming it into a grand imperial capital city and expanding the sultanate's territory in the north.

What significant transformation did the city of Delhi undergo under Iltutmish's reign?

Under Iltutmish's reign, Delhi transformed into a cultural, intellectual, and economic hub, attracting refugees from Central Asia and the Near East, who brought with them knowledge and wealth.

Why was it unusual for the daughter of Iltutmish, Razia, to be named as his successor?

It was highly unorthodox for a daughter to be named as a successor in that era, as typically male heirs were chosen to inherit the throne. Razia's appointment as successor was a break from this tradition.

What was the impact of the Mongol invasions on the Delhi Sultanate?

The Mongol invasions posed a significant threat to the Delhi Sultanate, but the sultanate was able to successfully fight off these incursions, stabilizing the empire and even gaining refugees from the invaded regions.

How did the Delhi Sultanate's military strategies evolve over time, particularly in their confrontations with the Rajputs?

The Delhi Sultanate's military strategies evolved by learning from their initial defeats against the Rajputs. They adapted by using tactics such as feigned retreats, which led to a resounding victory and allowed them to conquer most of the northern Indian subcontinent.

What was the role of Balban in the Delhi Sultanate, and how did he contribute to its stability?

Balban, a former Mamluk slave who belonged to Iltutmish, assumed the throne after the last of Iltutmish's heirs died without an error. He stabilized the empire, recaptured lost territory, and successfully fought off Mongol incursions.

What were the consequences of Muhammad bin Tughlaq's eccentric policies, and how did they affect the Delhi Sultanate?

Muhammad bin Tughlaq's eccentric policies, such as forcibly moving the capital's population and raising a large army that was later disbanded, led to rampant mismanagement, widespread famine, and revolt, which significantly weakened the Delhi Sultanate.