The Delhi Sultanate refers to the Muslim rule over Delhi and parts of India from 1206 to 1526 CE. It included five dynasties that ruled one after another. This is a key topic in medieval Indian history for almost all exams.
The Five Dynasties
- Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty – 1206 to 1290.
- Khilji Dynasty – 1290 to 1320.
- Tughlaq Dynasty – 1320 to 1414.
- Sayyid Dynasty – 1414 to 1451.
- Lodi Dynasty – 1451 to 1526.
Slave Dynasty
The Slave dynasty was founded by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in 1206. He began the Qutub Minar. Iltutmish strengthened the Sultanate, and Razia Sultan became the first and only woman ruler of Delhi. Balban introduced the policy of blood and iron.
Khilji and Tughlaq Dynasties
The Khilji dynasty was founded by Jalal-ud-din Khilji, but Alauddin Khilji was its greatest ruler, known for market reforms. The Tughlaq dynasty included Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq, famous for shifting the capital to Daulatabad and introducing token currency, and Firoz Shah Tughlaq.
Sayyid and Lodi Dynasties
The Sayyid dynasty was founded by Khizr Khan. The Lodi dynasty was the last; Ibrahim Lodi was defeated by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat (1526), which ended the Sultanate.
Quick Revision Points
- Delhi Sultanate lasted from 1206 to 1526.
- Five dynasties: Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi.
- Qutub-ud-din Aibak founded the Slave dynasty.
- Razia Sultan was the only woman ruler of Delhi.
- Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq introduced token currency.
- Last ruler Ibrahim Lodi lost the First Battle of Panipat.
- The Sultanate ended in 1526.