Explanation: The Delhi Sultanate was a significant political entity in medieval India, established in 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibak. It was a Muslim kingdom that ruled large parts of the Indian subcontinent for over three centuries. The sultanate was founded after the defeat of the Ghurid Empire by the forces of Muhammad Ghori, who appointed Aibak as his viceroy in India. Aibak laid the foundation of the Delhi Sultanate and ruled from 1206 to 1210.
After Aibak, Iltutmish, who was Aibak's son-in-law, took over the throne and ruled from 1211 to 1236. Iltutmish was a capable ruler who consolidated the power of the Delhi Sultanate and expanded its territories. He was also known for his administrative reforms and the establishment of the Iqta system, which was a form of land grant to military officers.
Upon Iltutmish's death in 1236, his daughter Raziyyat became the ruler of Northern India. Raziyyat was the first and only female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate. She faced numerous challenges during her reign, including internal rebellions and external threats from the Mongols. Despite these challenges, she was a capable ruler who attempted to modernize the administration and improve the economy. However, her reign was short-lived, lasting only from 1236 to 1239, as she was eventually deposed by a coalition of nobles.
The period following Raziyyat's rule saw a series of short-lived rulers, including her brothers and other nobles, who struggled to maintain the stability and power of the Delhi Sultanate. The Mongol invasions during this period posed a significant threat to the sultanate, but they did not manage to establish a permanent rule over Northern India.
Understanding the succession and the rulers of the Delhi Sultanate is crucial for comprehending the political and social dynamics of medieval India. Raziyyat's reign, in particular, is notable for her gender and the challenges she faced, which provide insight into the social and political structures of the time.