Explanation: Qutb-ud-din Aibak, also known as Qutbuddin Aibak, was a pivotal figure in the early history of the Delhi Sultanate. He was originally a slave of the Turkic ruler Muhammad Ghori, who conquered large parts of northern India in the late 12th century. Aibak was appointed as the viceroy of Muhammad Ghori in India, responsible for administering the conquered territories and further expanding the empire.
Aibak's role as viceroy was crucial in establishing the foundation of the Delhi Sultanate. He was instrumental in consolidating the territories conquered by Muhammad Ghori and laid the groundwork for the establishment of a centralized Islamic state in India. After Muhammad Ghori's death in 1206, Aibak declared himself the independent ruler of the territories he controlled, marking the beginning of the Slave Dynasty, the first of the Delhi Sultanate dynasties.
The Slave Dynasty, also known as the Mamluk Dynasty, was so named because its rulers were originally slaves who rose to power. Aibak was the first in this line of rulers, and his reign was marked by the construction of significant architectural monuments, including the Qutb Minar in Delhi, which is named after him.
It is important to distinguish Aibak's role from other historical figures mentioned in the options. Mahmud of Ghazni, who lived in the 11th century, was a different ruler who conducted numerous raids into India but was not connected to Muhammad Ghori's administration. Babar, the founder of the Mughal Empire, lived in the early 16th century and had no connection to Muhammad Ghori's time. Iltutmish, who succeeded Aibak as the ruler of the Slave Dynasty, was not a viceroy but a subsequent ruler who further consolidated the Delhi Sultanate.
Understanding the historical context and the roles of these figures is essential for comprehending the early history of the Delhi Sultanate and the establishment of Islamic rule in India. Aibak's position as viceroy under Muhammad Ghori and his subsequent rise to power as the first Sultan of Delhi marks a significant transition in Indian history, from the rule of foreign invaders to the establishment of a stable Islamic state in the subcontinent.