Slave Dynasty Map

Origin of the Slave Dynasty

The Slave Dynasty is also called the Mamluk Dynasty. Mamluk means ‘owned’ and it refers to a powerful military caste called Mamluks, which originated in the 9th century CE in the Islamic Empire of the Abbasid caliphs. The time period of Slave Dynasty in India was from 1206 to 1290 CE and was first dynasty of Delhi Sultanate. Mamluks were soldiers of slave origin who had converted to Islam. The phenomenon started in the 9th century, and gradually, the Mamluks became a powerful military class in various Muslim societies. Mamluks held political and military power, most notably in Egypt, but also in the Levant, Iraq, and India. Muhammad of Ghor, the Ghurid Empire’s Sultan, was killed in 1206. Due to the lack of male heirs, his realm was divided into smaller sultanates, each headed by a former Mamluk officer. Ghazni was ruled by Taj-ud-din Yildoz, Bengal was ruled by Muhammad bin Bakhtiyar Khilji, and Multan was ruled by Nasir-ud-din Qabacha. That marked the start of the slave dynasty when Qutb ud-Din Aibak assumed the throne as sultan of Delhi. After the assassination of Muhammad Ghori, Aibak called himself the Sultan of Delhi in 1206 and became the first ruler of the Slave Dynasty....

Slave Dynasty Rulers

The rulers of the Mamluk Dynasty are mentioned in the table below:...

Slave Dynasty Map

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Founder of Slave Dynasty

The founder of the Slave Dynasty, also known as the Mamluk dynasty, was Qutub-ud-din Aibak. He reigned from 1206 to 1210 CE. It’s important to note that the term “Slave Dynasty” can be considered outdated or even offensive by some, as it emphasizes the slaves’ origins of some rulers rather than their accomplishments. However, it remains a commonly used term in historical discussions....

Administration of the Slave Dynasty

In the slave dynasty, the sultan held the highest position in the state and possessed the authority to issue specific legal orders and enforce general rules. The sultan had the authority to start wars, levy taxes for military operations, and make sure that food supplies were distributed fairly. During the reign of the Iltutmish, the slave dynasty adopted the Iqta System, an administrative and land distribution system. Under the Iqta System, instead of providing soldiers with cash and food, lands were granted to army officials to fulfill their Iqta obligations. The ustadar served as the chief of staff to the sultan, responsible for organizing the daily affairs of the royal court and managing the sultan’s personal finances. The army of the slave dynasty was divided into three parts: the royal mamluk, the emir soldiers, and the halqa. To bring more unity to the military, slave rulers instituted army standardization and streamlined the ambiguous Ayyubid laws governing the allocation of iqtaat to emirs....

Slave Dynasty Ruler

Read below this article to find out about the rulers of the Slave Dynasty in chronology....

Slave Dynasty and Qutb-ud-din Aibak

Qutb ud-Din Aibak was the first sultan of the Delhi Sultanate and the founder of the Mamluk Dynasty. He reigned from 1206-1210 CE. He was born in Central Asia in 1150 and sold into slavery as a child. He was purchased by a Qazi in Nishapur, Persia, where he learned archery and horse-riding among other skills. He was eventually purchased by Muhammad Ghori, who recognized his potential and made him a commander in his army....

Slave Dynasty and Iltutmish

Shamsuddin Iltutmish, who ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1211 to 1236 CE, was a successor to Qutb-ud-din Aibak and one of the most significant figures in the early history of the dynasty. Here’s a detailed look at his achievements:...

Slave Dynasty and Raziya Sultana

Razia Sultan, a figure who defied tradition and carved her name in history, was the only woman to rule the Delhi Sultanate from 1236 to 1240 CE. Born in 1205 to Sultan Iltutmish, she was a remarkable woman who received a unique education, studying not just religious texts but also military strategy and governance....

Slave Dynasty and Balban

Ghiyasuddin Balban, who ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1266 to 1287 CE, inherited a kingdom facing internal strife and external threats. He rose to prominence through his military prowess and administrative skills, ultimately becoming the most powerful figure in the Slave Dynasty after Iltutmish. Here are some key achievements that marked his reign:...

Contributions of the Slave Dynasty

The Slave Dynasty, also known as the Mamluk Dynasty, played a significant role in shaping the early history of Muslim rule in India. While their reign lasted less than a century, their contributions spanned across various domains, leaving a lasting impact on the region. Here are some key areas of their contributions:...

Decline of the Slave Dynasty

Muiz-ud-din Muhammad Qaiqabad, grandson of Balban, was the final sultan of the Slave Dynasty. His reign lasted from 1287 to 1290. Being young at the time, he disregarded every state issue, leading to a fragmented government structure. Slave dynasties were also weakened by the recurring invasions of Mongols. The Slave dynasty’s internal strife also played a role in their downfall, as it negatively affected the Sultanate’s stability over the long run. The Mamluk dynasty ended when Jalāl al-Dīn Fīrūz Khaljī staged a successful coup against the sultan Kay-Qubādh on June 13, 1290, and brought the Khaljīs to power....

Conclusion – Slave Dynasty ( AD 1206 to AD 1290): Origin, Rulers, Administration

The Slave Dynasty, though brief, left a lasting mark on India. Born from the rise of skilled slaves in the Ghurid Empire, it burst onto the scene in 1206 AD, carving out a powerful kingdom in Delhi. It lasted for 84 years and came to an end in 1290 AD with the overthrow of the last Sultan, Kay-Qubad....

FAQ’s: Slave Dynasty ( AD 1206 to AD 1290): Origin, Rulers, Administration

Who was the first sultan of the Slave Dynasty in India?...