Delhi Sultanate
Indian History · दिल्ली सल्तनत · 23 facts
Theory of Divine Kingship (Niyabat-i-Khudai) — claimed Sultan was God's shadow on earth
Created a strong espionage/spy system (Barid) to monitor nobles and officials
Maintained strict law and order — eliminated bandits and robbers, especially Mewatis
Kept royal dignity very high — never laughed or joked in court. Banned drinking in court.
His son Prince Muhammad was killed fighting Mongols — Balban died heartbroken in 1287
Real founder/consolidator of Delhi Sultanate (Aibak ruled only 4 years)
Completed Qutub Minar — which Aibak had started
First Sultan to issue pure Arabic coins — silver Tanka and copper Jital
Introduced the Iqta system (land revenue assignment) in India
Nominated his daughter Razia as successor — bypassing his sons
Established Diwan-i-Khairat (Department of Charity) — state fund for widows, orphans, and poor
Established Diwan-i-Bundagan (Department of Slaves) — had 1,80,000 slaves
Imposed Jaziya (tax on non-Muslims) on BRAHMINS for the FIRST time — earlier Brahmins were exempt
Built Firoz Shah Kotla (Delhi) — today's famous cricket ground area
Founded cities: Firozabad, Jaunpur, Hissar-Firoza, Firozpur
Established hospitals (Darul-Shifa) and employment exchange (Diwan-i-Istihak)
Called 'Tuti-e-Hind' (Parrot of India) — for his mastery of poetry and languages
Father of Qawwali — invented this devotional music form combining Persian and Indian traditions
Credited with inventing Tabla and Sitar (claim debated by historians but asked in exams as fact)
Disciple of Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya — died shortly after his master's death
Lived during the reigns of 8 sultans — from Balban to Muhammad bin Tughlaq's era
His famous riddles (paheliyan) and songs in Hindavi are still popular in Indian culture today
Delhi Sultanate: 5 dynasties — Slave, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi (1206–1526)