History of the Delhi and Bahmani Sultanates
Table of Contents
Mamluk Dynasty (1206–1290)
Qutb ud-Din Aibak (1206–1210)
Qutb ud-Din Aibak, a Turkic Mamluk, founded the dynasty after Muhammad of Ghor's death. He established control over Delhi, initially from Lahore, quelling rebellions. His administration strengthened governance, initiating monuments like the Qutb Minar. Economically, he laid revenue system foundations. He died in 1210 in a polo accident.
Aram Shah (1210–1211)
Aram Shah faced opposition from nobles, leading to a weak administration. He was defeated by Iltutmish in 1211 and assassinated. No notable economic or architectural contributions are recorded.
Shams-ud-din Iltutmish (1211–1236)
Iltutmish shifted the capital to Delhi, repelling Mongol incursions. He trebled the exchequer, incorporated Bengal, and completed the Qutb Minar, building Hauz-i-Shamsi and Sultan Ghari. His reign stabilized the Sultanate.
Rukn-ud-din Feroze (1236)
Rukn-ud-din ruled briefly, with his mother governing. His indulgence led to public outrage, ending with his assassination in 1236. No significant reforms or contributions are noted.
Razia al-Din (1236–1240)
Razia, the first female Muslim ruler, faced racial tensions and was defeated by Malik Altunia, whom she married. She was killed in 1240. No major economic or architectural contributions are recorded.
Muiz-ud-din Bahram (1240–1242)
Bahram faced noble disorder and Mongol threats. His weak administration ended with his murder in 1242. No notable economic or architectural contributions are mentioned.
Ala-ud-din Masud (1242–1246)
Masud’s reign was dominated by nobles like Balban. He faced Mongol threats and rebellions, with no significant reforms or contributions. He was deposed in 1246.
Nasir-ud-din Mahmud (1246–1266)
Mahmud focused on justice, encouraging agriculture and reducing taxes. He suppressed rebellions and built mosques and madrasas. His reign provided stability until 1266.
Ghiyas-ud-din Balban (1266–1287)
Balban enforced strict discipline, breaking noble power and establishing espionage. He repelled Mongols, reconquered Bengal, and built his tomb in Mehrauli. His death in 1287 led to dynastic decline.
Muiz-ud-din Qaiqabad (1287–1290)
Qaiqabad’s indulgent rule issued coins but neglected governance. He avoided Bengal conflicts but was murdered by Jalaluddin Khalji in 1290, ending the dynasty.
Shamsuddin Kayumars (1290)
Kayumars, a child ruler, reigned briefly before being murdered by Jalaluddin Khalji, marking the end of the Mamluk dynasty.
Khalji Dynasty (1290–1320)
Jalal ud din Firuz Khalji (1290–1296)
Jalaluddin seized power, ruling humbly from Kilokhri. He repelled Mongols but faced revolts. No major economic or architectural contributions are noted. He was assassinated in 1296.
Alauddin Khalji (1296–1316)
Alauddin expanded the Sultanate, introducing price controls and high taxes. He built the Alai Darwaza and defeated Mongols. His tyrannical rule ended in 1316.
Shihab ad-Din Umar (1316)
Umar, a child ruler, had no significant contributions due to his brief reign. He was killed by his brother Qutbuddin.
Qutb ad-Din Mubarak (1316–1320)
Mubarak continued Alauddin’s policies but faced dissent. He was murdered by Khusrau Khan in 1320, ending the dynasty.
Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1412)
Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq (1320–1325)
Ghiyath founded the dynasty, building Tughlakabad. He captured Bengal and lowered taxes for Muslims. He died in 1325, possibly murdered.
Muhammad bin Tughluq (1325–1351)
Muhammad expanded the Sultanate but faced revolts due to failed token coinage and capital shifts. His intellectual pursuits included poetry.
Firuz Shah Tughlaq (1351–1388)
Firuz banned torture, built canals, and installed Ashoka’s pillar. He raised jizya and enforced Sharia, facing Bengal’s independence.
Ghiyath-ud-din Tughluq Shah (1388–1389)
Ghiyath’s brief reign faced civil wars. No major contributions are noted. He died in conflict.
Abu Bakr Shah (1389–1390)
Abu Bakr faced noble factions and civil wars. No reforms or contributions are recorded. He died in 1390.
Muhammad Shah (1390–1394)
Muhammad suppressed rebellions but lost provinces. No significant contributions are noted. He died in 1394.
Ala-ud-din Sikandar Shah (1394)
Sikandar’s two-month reign saw no reforms. He was murdered amid factionalism.
Nasir-ud-din Mahmud Shah Tughlaq (1394–1412/1413)
Mahmud faced Timur’s invasion and civil wars, losing provinces. His reign ended with the Sayyid dynasty’s rise.
Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451)
Khizr Khan (1414–1421)
Khizr, a Timurid vassal, reunited Punjab and Sindh. He defeated rivals but left no major economic or architectural legacy.
Mubarak Shah (1421–1434)
Mubarak declared independence from Timurids, defeating Malwa. His tomb is noted, but no major reforms are recorded.
Muhammad Shah (1434–1443)
Muhammad faced rebellions and lost Multan. His tomb exists, but no significant contributions are noted.
Ala-ud-Din Shah (1443–1451)
Alam Shah’s weak rule ended with abdication to Bahlul Lodi. No reforms or contributions are recorded.
Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526)
Bahlul Lodi (1451–1489)
Bahlul founded the dynasty, conquering Jaunpur. He stabilized governance and renamed Sultanpur Lodi, boosting trade.
Sikandar Lodi (1489–1517)
Sikandar patronized trade, built Bara Gumbad, and translated Sanskrit works. He annexed Bihar but destroyed temples.
Ibrahim Lodi (1517–1526)
Ibrahim faced rebellions and a depleted treasury. His defeat at Panipat in 1526 ended the dynasty.
Ghurid Sultanate
Ghiyath al-Din Muhammad (1163–1203)
Ghiyath expanded the western Ghurid Empire, building the Minaret of Jam. His support enabled Muhammad’s Indian conquests.
Muhammad of Ghor (1173–1206)
Muhammad’s victories at Tarain and Chandawar established Muslim rule in India. He appointed governors and built mosques.
Bahmani Sultanate
Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah (1347–1358)
Bahman founded the sultanate, minting coins in Gulbarga. His campaigns captured temple wealth, establishing Deccan rule.
Mohammad Shah I (1358–1375)
Mohammad used gunpowder artillery and fought Vijayanagara. He patronized Persian culture, using the Turquoise Throne.
Mujahid Shah (1375–1378)
Mujahid continued Vijayanagara conflicts. His brief reign lacked significant reforms or contributions.
Daud Shah Bahmani (1378)
Daud’s short reign saw no major actions or contributions, marked by instability.
Mohammad Shah II (1378–1397)
Mohammad II’s peaceful reign strengthened governance. He was blinded by Taghalchin in 1397.
Ghiyath-ad-din Shah (1397)
Ghiyath’s brief rule ended with blinding by Taghalchin. No contributions are noted.
Shams-ud-Din Shah (1397)
Shams-ud-Din, a puppet, was blinded by Firuz Shah. No reforms or contributions are recorded.
Taj ud-Din Firuz Shah (1397–1422)
Firuz defeated Vijayanagara, included Hindus in governance, and wrote in Dakhni Urdu. His reign saw cultural growth.
Ahmad Shah I Wali (1422–1436)
Ahmad shifted the capital to Bidar, built Bidar Fort, and converted to Shi’ism. His campaigns expanded the sultanate.
Alauddin Ahmad II (1436–1458)
Ahmad II built Chand Minar and faced factional strife. His reign saw religious tensions.
Humayun Shah Zalim Bahmani (1458–1461)
Humayun’s brief reign lacked reforms, marked by factional struggles.
Nizam Shah Bahmani (1461–1463)
Nizam, under Gawan’s regency, had no significant contributions in his short rule.
Muhammad Shah III Lashkari (1463–1482)
Gawan’s regency expanded the sultanate, building Mahmud Gawan Madrasa. His execution weakened the state.
Mahmood Shah Bahmani II (1482–1518)
Mahmood’s reign saw the sultanate’s fragmentation into five Deccan sultanates. His rule was nominal under Barid Shahi.
Ahmed Shah Bahmani III (1518–1520)
Ahmed, a puppet, had no significant role. His reign continued the sultanate’s decline.
Ala-ud-Din Shah Bahmani II (1520–1522)
Ala-ud-Din, another puppet, had no notable contributions, marking further decline.
Waliullah Shah Bahmani (1522–1526)
Waliullah, under Barid control, had no significant impact, continuing the sultanate’s nominal existence.
Kaleemullah Shah Bahmani (1525–1527)
Kaleemullah’s escape attempt failed, marking the sultanate’s end in 1527.