Iltutmish

Shams-ud-din Iltutmish was one of the most distinguished rulers of the Delhi Sultanate, reigning from 1211 to 1236 CE. He belonged to the Slave Dynasty (Mamluk Dynasty), the first ruling house of the Delhi Sultanate, and is widely credited with consolidating and strengthening the nascent Muslim rule in northern India. His reign laid the foundations for a stable administration, efficient governance, and cultural development that shaped the early medieval history of India.

Early Life and Rise to Power

Iltutmish was originally a Turkish slave born in the early 12th century in Central Asia. He was of noble lineage but was sold into slavery as a young boy. Later, he was purchased by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first ruler of the Slave Dynasty and a former slave of Muhammad Ghori.
Due to his intelligence, bravery, and administrative skill, Iltutmish quickly rose in rank under Aibak’s service. He was appointed governor of Badaun and earned a reputation for efficiency and loyalty. After Qutb-ud-din Aibak’s sudden death in 1210 CE, a brief power struggle followed between Iltutmish and Aram Shah, Aibak’s son. The nobility, dissatisfied with Aram Shah’s rule, invited Iltutmish to ascend the throne. He became Sultan of Delhi in 1211 CE, marking the beginning of a remarkable reign.

Consolidation of Power

Iltutmish inherited a fragile kingdom threatened by internal dissension and external invasions. Through military skill and diplomatic acumen, he consolidated his authority over the Delhi Sultanate.
1. Suppression of Internal Revolts: Iltutmish faced opposition from rival Turkish nobles and provincial governors. He successfully crushed rebellions in Badaun, Lahore, and Bengal, establishing his authority across northern India.
2. Recognition from the Caliph: In 1229 CE, Iltutmish received a manshur (letter of investiture) and a robe of honour from the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mustansir of Baghdad, officially recognising him as the legitimate ruler of India. This not only enhanced his political prestige but also solidified his position among rival rulers.
3. Expansion of Territory: Iltutmish extended the boundaries of the Delhi Sultanate by annexing key regions such as Bihar, Bengal, and Sindh. He subdued rebellious governors and brought major cities like Ajmer, Ranathambore, and Gwalior under his control. His campaigns laid the geographic foundation of the Sultanate’s power in North India.

Relations with the Mongols and Foreign Policy

During Iltutmish’s reign, Mongol invasions under Genghis Khan posed a significant threat to Central Asia and India. In 1221 CE, when Jalal-ud-din Mangbarni, the defeated ruler of Khwarezm, sought refuge in India after being pursued by Genghis Khan, Iltutmish tactfully refused him asylum. This diplomatic decision prevented a direct Mongol invasion of India and demonstrated Iltutmish’s political prudence.
His foreign policy was characterised by caution and pragmatism, focusing on consolidating internal stability rather than expansion into volatile frontier regions.

Administrative Reforms

Iltutmish is credited with introducing several administrative innovations that strengthened the Sultanate’s governance structure.
1. Iqta System: He formalised the Iqta system, under which land was assigned to nobles and military officers (iqtadars) in lieu of salaries. In return, they maintained troops and collected revenue for the Sultan. This system became the cornerstone of the Delhi Sultanate’s administrative and revenue framework.
2. Division of Empire: He divided his empire into various provinces (iqlims), each under a governor responsible for maintaining law, order, and revenue collection.
3. Establishment of a Strong Bureaucracy: Iltutmish strengthened the central administration by appointing capable officials and emphasising merit over hereditary privilege. He also established an efficient intelligence network to monitor the activities of nobles and provincial officers.
4. Introduction of Currency: Iltutmish was the first Sultan of Delhi to introduce a uniform coinage system. He issued silver tanka (weighing 175 grains) and copper jital, which became the standard currency for the Sultanate and were later adopted by his successors. This reform stabilised the monetary system and facilitated trade.

Cultural and Architectural Contributions

Iltutmish was a patron of art, architecture, and learning. His reign marked a period of cultural consolidation and architectural innovation in the Indo-Islamic style.

• He completed the construction of the Qutub Minar, which had been started by Qutb-ud-din Aibak in honour of Qutb-ud-din Bakhtiyar Kaki, a famous Sufi saint.
• He built the Sultan Ghari Tomb in Delhi for his eldest son Nasir-ud-din Mahmud, which is regarded as the first Islamic mausoleum in India.
• Iltutmish established Delhi as the capital of the Sultanate, replacing Lahore, due to its strategic central location and defence advantages.
• He patronised Sufi scholars and Persian poets, turning Delhi into a flourishing centre of Islamic learning and culture.

Relations with the Nobility

Iltutmish maintained a delicate balance between royal authority and the influential Turkish aristocracy, known as the Chahalgani (Group of Forty). This group of powerful nobles assisted the Sultan in administration and later became a significant political force in the Sultanate.
While Iltutmish relied on them for governance, he also curbed their ambitions to prevent challenges to his authority. His policy of merit-based appointments and strict control over the nobility helped stabilise the administration.

Succession and Legacy

Before his death, Iltutmish faced the tragic loss of his capable sons. Finding none suitable to rule, he nominated his daughter, Razia Sultana, as his successor — a remarkable decision in the patriarchal society of medieval India.
Iltutmish died in 1236 CE and was buried in Delhi, where his tomb remains an important architectural monument.

Assessment of Iltutmish’s Reign

Iltutmish is often regarded as the real founder of the Delhi Sultanate because he transformed a fragile military conquest into a stable and enduring political institution.
Key Achievements:

• Consolidation of Turkish rule in India.
• Recognition by the Abbasid Caliph, giving legitimacy to the Delhi Sultanate.
• Establishment of the Iqta system and introduction of a standard coinage.
• Development of Delhi as a strong administrative and cultural centre.
• Promotion of Indo-Islamic art and architecture.