Explanation: Iltutmish, also known as Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, was a sultan of the Mamluk dynasty who ruled from 1211 to 1236. He is often considered the real founder of the Muslim empire in India because of his significant contributions to the establishment and consolidation of Muslim rule in the region.
Iltutmish's reign marked a pivotal shift from the earlier Ghurid rule to a more stable and enduring Muslim empire in India. He succeeded Qutb-ud-din Aibak, who had laid the initial foundations of Muslim rule in Delhi but did not establish a long-term administrative structure. Iltutmish, on the other hand, took several crucial steps to consolidate and expand the Muslim empire in India.
Firstly, Iltutmish established a stable and centralized administration. He introduced a system of governance that was more structured and efficient than the earlier Ghurid rule. He appointed capable administrators and established a system of revenue collection that helped in the economic stability of the empire.
Secondly, Iltutmish expanded the territory of the Muslim empire in India. He conquered several regions, including Bengal and parts of Gujarat, which significantly increased the size and influence of the empire. His military campaigns were successful in subduing local rulers and integrating their territories into the Muslim empire.
Thirdly, Iltutmish laid the foundation for the Delhi Sultanate, which would go on to rule much of northern India for several centuries. He established Delhi as the capital of the empire, which became a center of political, economic, and cultural activity. The Delhi Sultanate under Iltutmish's rule became a model for future Muslim rulers in India, setting a precedent for centralized administration and territorial expansion.
It is important to note that while earlier Muslim rulers such as Mahmud of Ghazni and Qutb-ud-din Aibak had invaded and established Muslim rule in parts of India, it was Iltutmish who transformed this rule into a stable and enduring empire. His contributions to the establishment and consolidation of the Muslim empire in India are why he is often referred to as the real founder of the Muslim empire in India.
In contrast, Razia Sultan, who ruled after Iltutmish, was the first female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate but her reign was short and marked by political instability. The Ghaznavid dynasty, led by rulers such as Mahmud of Ghazni, was an earlier Muslim power that invaded India but did not establish a stable and enduring empire. Therefore, Iltutmish stands out as the key figure in the establishment of the Muslim empire in India.