The Delhi Sultanate – Detailed Summary | Samacheer Kalvi 7th Social Science | Term 1 History

The Delhi Sultanate – Detailed Summary

Book: Samacheer Kalvi 7th Social Science

Term: Term 1

Subject: History

Unit: Unit 4

Lesson Name: The Delhi Sultanate

About the Lesson

“The Delhi Sultanate” is an important History lesson in the Samacheer Kalvi 7th Social Science book. This lesson explains the rule of Turkish Sultans from Delhi, their military conquests, administration, reforms, and contribution to art and architecture.

The Delhi Sultanate period began after Muhammad Ghori established Muslim rule in India. After his death, his slave Qutb-ud-din Aibak became the ruler of Turkish territories in India and founded the Slave or Mamluk dynasty. Later, Khaljis, Tughluqs, Sayyids, and Lodis ruled from Delhi.

Learning Objectives

To understand the establishment of Muslim rule in India.
To learn about the Slave or Mamluk dynasty.
To know the achievements of Qutb-ud-din Aibak, Iltutmish, Razia, and Balban.
To understand the Khalji dynasty and Ala-ud-din Khalji’s conquests and reforms.
To learn about the Tughluq dynasty and Muhammad-bin-Tughluq’s experiments.
To understand the contribution of Firoz Shah Tughluq.
To know about Timur’s invasion, Sayyid dynasty, and Lodi dynasty.
To understand the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the rise of the Mughal Empire.
To learn about Islamic art and Indo-Saracenic architecture.

Detailed Summary of the Lesson

1. Introduction

During the eleventh and twelfth centuries, Turkish horsemen repeatedly attacked northern India. Because of their continuous campaigns, they were able to gain political control over the Gangetic plain.

The Turkish rulers succeeded partly because of their military strength and partly because Indian rulers were divided among themselves. The Delhi Sultanate became an important phase in medieval Indian history.

2. Establishment of Muslim Rule in India

Muslim rule in India was established by Muhammad Ghori in the 12th century CE.

Muhammad Ghori had no sons. He trained and trusted special slaves called bandagan. These slaves were purchased for military service and were appointed as governors. Later, some of them became Sultans.

3. Meaning of Bandagan

Bandagan is a Persian term used for slaves purchased for military service.

These slaves were trained in military and administrative work. They played an important role in the beginning of the Delhi Sultanate.

4. Slave Dynasty or Mamluk Dynasty

After the death of Muhammad Ghori in 1206 CE, Qutb-ud-din Aibak declared himself the ruler of the Turkish territories in India.

He founded the Slave Dynasty. This dynasty is also called the Mamluk Dynasty. The word Mamluk is an Arabic word meaning “slave”.

5. Important Rulers of the Slave Dynasty

The Slave Dynasty ruled for about 84 years from 1206 CE to 1290 CE.

The three great Sultans of this dynasty were:

Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Shams-ud-din Iltutmish
Ghiyas-ud-din Balban

6. Qutb-ud-din Aibak

Qutb-ud-din Aibak ruled from 1206 CE to 1210 CE. He first made Lahore his capital. Later, he shifted his capital from Lahore to Delhi.

He laid the foundation of the Slave or Mamluk dynasty. He was active in military campaigns and tried to strengthen Turkish rule in India.

7. Contributions of Qutb-ud-din Aibak

He founded the Slave or Mamluk dynasty.
He shifted his capital from Lahore to Delhi.
He built the Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid in Delhi.
He laid the foundation of the Qutb Minar.
He expanded Turkish rule in the Indo-Gangetic plain.

8. Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid

The Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid in Delhi was built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak.

It is considered one of the oldest mosques in India. It is an important example of early Sultanate architecture.

9. Qutb Minar

Qutb-ud-din Aibak laid the foundation of Qutb Minar.

He could not complete it. The construction of Qutb Minar was completed by his son-in-law and successor Iltutmish.

10. Death of Qutb-ud-din Aibak

Qutb-ud-din Aibak died in 1210 CE.

He died from injuries received during an accidental fall from a horse while playing polo.

11. Iltutmish

Iltutmish ruled from 1210 CE to 1236 CE. He was the son-in-law of Qutb-ud-din Aibak.

After Aibak’s weak son Aram Shah failed to rule properly, the Turkish nobles chose Iltutmish as Sultan. He firmly established Turkish rule by suppressing rebellions.

12. Achievements of Iltutmish

He consolidated the Slave Dynasty.
He suppressed rebellions and strengthened the Sultanate.
He completed the construction of Qutb Minar.
He organised the Turkish nobility into Chahalgani or The Forty.
He introduced the Iqta system for army officials.
He handled the Mongol threat carefully.

13. Mongol Threat During Iltutmish

During Iltutmish’s reign, the Mongol threat under Chengiz Khan became serious near the frontiers of India.

Iltutmish avoided danger by refusing to give shelter to Jalal-ud-din, the Khwarezm Shah, who had been driven out by Chengiz Khan.

14. Chahalgani or The Forty

Iltutmish organised Turkish nobility into a select group of forty nobles. This group was called Chahalgani or The Forty.

It was created to counter possible Mongol attacks and to strengthen the Sultan’s position.

15. Iqta System

Iltutmish granted Iqtas to members of his army. Iqta was land granted to army officials instead of regular salary.

The holder of an Iqta was called Iqtadar or Muqti. He collected revenue from the Iqta to maintain troops and horses and had to give military help to the Sultan during war.

16. Razia Sultana

Razia Sultana ruled from 1236 CE to 1240 CE. She was the daughter of Iltutmish.

Iltutmish nominated Razia as his successor because she was capable. Razia was an able ruler and a brave fighter.

17. Problems Faced by Razia

Razia faced opposition from Turkish nobles because she favoured non-Turkish nobles.

She trusted an Ethiopian slave named Jalal-ud-din Yakut. This angered Turkish nobles. They conspired against her and got her killed in 1240 CE.

18. Ghiyas-ud-din Balban

Ghiyas-ud-din Balban ruled from 1266 CE to 1287 CE. After Razia, three weak rulers ruled one after another. Then Balban came to power.

Balban was a strong Sultan. He wanted to restore the authority and dignity of the Sultanate.

19. Achievements of Balban

He abolished Chahalgani or The Forty.
He established a department of spies.
He dealt sternly with rebels and conspirators.
He built forts to guard his empire against Mongol attacks.
He maintained cordial relations with the Mongols.
He patronised the famous Persian poet Amir Khusru.

20. Balban and The Forty

Balban abolished The Forty because it had become hostile to him and had weakened the authority of the Sultan.

By abolishing it, Balban reduced the power of Turkish nobles and strengthened royal authority.

21. Balban’s Spy System

Balban established a department of spies to gather information about conspirators and troublemakers.

This helped him control rebellions and protect the Sultanate from internal enemies.

22. Balban and Mongols

Balban maintained a cordial relationship with the Mongols.

He received assurance from Hulagu Khan, a grandson of Chengiz Khan and Mongol viceroy in Iran, that the Mongols would not advance beyond the Sutlej.

23. End of Slave Dynasty

Balban died in 1287 CE. His son Kaiqubad was weak.

Malik Jalal-ud-din Khalji, commander of the army, later took power. With him began the rule of the Khalji dynasty.

24. Khalji Dynasty

The Khalji Dynasty ruled from 1290 CE to 1320 CE.

The most important ruler of this dynasty was Ala-ud-din Khalji. He is remembered for his military conquests and administrative reforms.

25. Jalal-ud-din Khalji

Jalal-ud-din Khalji became the first Sultan of the Khalji dynasty.

During his time, many military campaigns were led by his nephew Ala-ud-din, who was the governor of Kara.

26. Ala-ud-din Khalji

Ala-ud-din Khalji ruled from 1296 CE to 1316 CE.

He killed Jalal-ud-din Khalji with the support of nobles and commanders and declared himself the Sultan of Delhi in 1296 CE.

27. Military Conquests of Ala-ud-din Khalji

Ala-ud-din Khalji consolidated the Delhi Sultanate through military conquests.

He fought against the Mongols in Punjab and extended his control over Rajasthan and Gujarat. With the northern frontiers secure, he sent his general Malik Kafur to the south.

28. Malik Kafur’s Southern Expedition

Malik Kafur was the chief lieutenant of Ala-ud-din Khalji.

He led campaigns in South India and reached Madurai in 1310 CE. The Yadavas of Devagiri, Kakatias of Warangal, Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra, and Pandyas of Madurai accepted Ala-ud-din’s suzerainty.

29. Sack of Chittor

Ala-ud-din Khalji’s army attacked Chittor in 1303 CE.

When the Rajputs faced defeat, men went out to fight and die in battle, while women performed Jauhar according to their old custom.

30. Jauhar

Jauhar was an old custom followed by Rajput women during times of extreme defeat.

When survival became impossible, women burnt themselves on a pyre, and men went out to die in battle.

31. Ala-ud-din’s Administrative Reforms

Ala-ud-din’s reforms were as important as his military conquests. He undertook a survey of agricultural resources around Delhi and fixed a standard revenue demand.

He also introduced forced procurement of food grains for Delhi and other garrison centres. The collected grain was stored in state granaries.

32. Ala-ud-din’s Spy System

Ala-ud-din appointed spies to report directly to him.

This helped him enforce his new regulations and control officials, nobles, merchants, and military centres.

33. End of Khalji Dynasty

Ala-ud-din Khalji died in 1316 CE.

His weak successors failed to retain power. Finally, Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq seized power and founded the Tughluq dynasty.

34. Tughluq Dynasty

The Tughluq Dynasty began in 1320 CE. Its founder was Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq.

The important rulers of this dynasty were Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq, Muhammad-bin-Tughluq, and Firoz Shah Tughluq.

35. Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq

Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq founded the Tughluq dynasty.

He tried to recover the territories lost by the Sultanate after the death of Ala-ud-din Khalji. He laid the foundation of the city Tughluqabad near Delhi.

36. Jauna Khan

Jauna Khan was the son of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq.

He defeated Prataparudra of Warangal and returned with rich booty. Later, he ascended the throne with the title Muhammad-bin-Tughluq.

37. Muhammad-bin-Tughluq

Muhammad-bin-Tughluq ruled from 1325 CE to 1351 CE.

He was a learned man, but he was also known for cruelty and failed experiments. He wanted to bring the whole Indian subcontinent under his control.

38. Transfer of Capital

Muhammad-bin-Tughluq shifted his capital from Delhi to Devagiri. He renamed Devagiri as Daulatabad.

Later, he realised that the move was a mistake and ordered the capital to be shifted back to Delhi. This caused great hardship to the people.

39. Ibn Battuta’s Account

Ibn Battuta, a traveller from Morocco, was in India during the period of Muhammad-bin-Tughluq.

When he returned to Delhi after the capital shift, he found Delhi almost empty and abandoned. His account is an important source for understanding Muhammad-bin-Tughluq’s rule.

40. Token Currency

Muhammad-bin-Tughluq issued token currency in copper because silver coins were inadequate.

However, many people made counterfeit coins. As a result, the revenue system collapsed, trade suffered, and the state became bankrupt. Finally, he had to withdraw the token currency.

41. Taxation in Doab

Muhammad-bin-Tughluq increased land tax in the Doab region.

This caused peasant revolts. When the revolts were suppressed cruelly, peasants abandoned cultivation, and famines became frequent.

42. Revolts During Muhammad-bin-Tughluq

During Muhammad-bin-Tughluq’s long reign, many provincial governors revolted.

Awadh, Multan, Sind, Bengal, and southern regions declared independence. The Bahmani Sultanate and Madurai Sultanate also emerged during this period.

43. Firoz Shah Tughluq

Firoz Shah Tughluq ruled from 1351 CE to 1388 CE.

He was the son of Ghiyas-ud-din’s younger brother. He could not recover the provinces that had broken away, but he took many welfare measures for people.

44. Contributions of Firoz Shah Tughluq

He created charities for poor Muslims.
He built colleges, mosques, and hospitals.
He adopted humanitarian measures.
He banned inhuman punishments.
He abolished taxes not recognised by Muslim law.
He promoted agriculture by waiving the debts of agriculturists.
He constructed many irrigation canals.
He laid out 1200 new gardens.
He built new towns such as Firozabad, Jaunpur, Hissar, and Firozpur.

45. Timur’s Invasion

Timur, also called Tamerlane, was a ruler from Samarkand in Central Asia.

Taking advantage of India’s weakness after Firoz Shah Tughluq, Timur entered India in December 1398 and plundered Delhi.

46. Effects of Timur’s Invasion

Timur’s invasion caused great destruction in Delhi and Punjab.

He carried away huge wealth in the form of gold, silver, and jewels. He also took Indian artisans, carpenters, and masons to work on monuments in Samarkand.

47. Sayyid Dynasty

Before leaving Delhi, Timur appointed Khizr Khan as governor of the territories he had conquered.

Khizr Khan founded the Sayyid Dynasty in 1414 CE. The dynasty lasted until 1451 CE.

48. End of Sayyid Dynasty

The last ruler of the Sayyid Dynasty was Ala-ud-din Alam Shah.

He abdicated the throne in 1451 CE. This gave Bahlol Lodi the opportunity to become the Sultan of Delhi.

49. Lodi Dynasty

The Lodi Dynasty ruled from 1451 CE to 1526 CE.

It was founded by Bahlol Lodi, who was earlier the governor of Sirhind in Punjab.

50. Sikandar Lodi

Sikandar Lodi succeeded Bahlol Lodi in 1489 CE.

He was a patron of arts and learning. He founded the city of Agra and made it his capital.

51. Ibrahim Lodi

Ibrahim Lodi was the son and successor of Sikandar Lodi.

He was defeated by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 CE. This ended the Lodi Dynasty and the Delhi Sultanate.

52. First Battle of Panipat

The First Battle of Panipat was fought in 1526 CE.

In this battle, Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi. This battle ended the Delhi Sultanate and paved the way for the establishment of the Mughal Empire in India.

53. Islamic Art and Architecture

The Delhi Sultans built mosques, madrasas, tombs, forts, and other buildings.

Their buildings had Persian shapes and Indian decorations. This mixed style is called Indo-Saracenic architecture.

54. Features of Indo-Saracenic Architecture

Use of arches.
Use of domes.
Use of minarets.
Persian style of building shape.
Indian style of decoration.
Quranic verses carved on doorways and walls.

55. Important Buildings of the Delhi Sultanate

Important buildings of the Delhi Sultanate period include Qutb Minar, Alai Darwaza, Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid, Moth-ki-Masjid, tombs of Iltutmish and Balban, and forts at Daulatabad and Firozabad.

56. Importance of the Delhi Sultanate

The Delhi Sultanate is important because it established a new political system in North India.

It introduced new administrative methods, military organisation, land revenue systems, architecture, Persian influence, urban development, and cultural exchanges.

Central Idea of the Lesson

The central idea of the lesson is that the Delhi Sultanate was an important period in medieval Indian history. It began with the Slave or Mamluk dynasty and continued through the Khalji, Tughluq, Sayyid, and Lodi dynasties. The Sultans expanded their territories, introduced administrative reforms, faced revolts and invasions, and contributed to Indo-Saracenic art and architecture.

Delhi Sultanate Dynasties

Dynasty	Period	Important Rulers
Slave / Mamluk Dynasty	1206 – 1290 CE	Qutb-ud-din Aibak, Iltutmish, Razia, Balban
Khalji Dynasty	1290 – 1320 CE	Jalal-ud-din Khalji, Ala-ud-din Khalji
Tughluq Dynasty	1320 – 1414 CE	Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq, Muhammad-bin-Tughluq, Firoz Shah Tughluq
Sayyid Dynasty	1414 – 1451 CE	Khizr Khan, Ala-ud-din Alam Shah
Lodi Dynasty	1451 – 1526 CE	Bahlol Lodi, Sikandar Lodi, Ibrahim Lodi

Slave / Mamluk Dynasty – Important Points

Ruler	Important Points
Qutb-ud-din Aibak	Founded the Slave Dynasty; shifted capital from Lahore to Delhi; built Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid; laid foundation of Qutb Minar.
Iltutmish	Completed Qutb Minar; organised Chahalgani; introduced Iqta system; handled Mongol threat.
Razia	Daughter of Iltutmish; able ruler and brave fighter; killed by Turkish nobles in 1240 CE.
Balban	Abolished The Forty; created spy system; built forts; patronised Amir Khusru; controlled Turkish nobles.

Khalji Dynasty – Important Points

Topic	Important Point
Founder	Jalal-ud-din Khalji began the rule of the Khalji dynasty.
Ala-ud-din Khalji	Consolidated the Delhi Sultanate through conquests and reforms.
Governor of Kara	Ala-ud-din Khalji.
Southern Expedition	Led by Malik Kafur.
Madurai Expedition	Malik Kafur reached Madurai in 1310 CE.
Sack of Chittor	1303 CE.
Administrative Reforms	Survey of agrarian resources, standard revenue demand, forced procurement of grains, state granaries, spy system.

Tughluq Dynasty – Important Points

Ruler	Important Points
Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq	Founded the Tughluq dynasty; laid foundation of Tughluqabad near Delhi.
Muhammad-bin-Tughluq	Shifted capital from Delhi to Devagiri/Daulatabad; issued copper token currency; increased Doab tax.
Firoz Shah Tughluq	Built colleges, mosques, hospitals, canals, gardens, and towns; adopted welfare measures.

Muhammad-bin-Tughluq’s Experiments

Experiment	Explanation	Result
Transfer of Capital	Shifted capital from Delhi to Devagiri and renamed it Daulatabad.	Caused great hardship; later shifted back to Delhi.
Token Currency	Issued copper coins as token currency.	Counterfeit coins increased; revenue system collapsed.
Tax in Doab	Increased land tax in the Doab region.	Peasant revolts and frequent famines occurred.

Firoz Shah Tughluq – Contributions

Area	Contribution
Welfare	Created charities to help poor Muslims.
Public Buildings	Built colleges, mosques, and hospitals.
Humanitarian Measures	Banned inhuman punishments and abolished unrecognised taxes.
Agriculture	Waived debts of agriculturists and built irrigation canals.
Gardens	Laid out 1200 new gardens and restored 30 old gardens.
New Towns	Built Firozabad, Jaunpur, Hissar, and Firozpur.

Sayyid and Lodi Dynasties

Dynasty	Important Points
Sayyid Dynasty	Founded by Khizr Khan in 1414 CE; lasted till 1451 CE.
Last Sayyid Ruler	Ala-ud-din Alam Shah abdicated the throne in 1451 CE.
Lodi Dynasty	Founded by Bahlol Lodi, governor of Sirhind.
Sikandar Lodi	Founded Agra and made it his capital; patron of arts and learning.
Ibrahim Lodi	Defeated by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 CE.

Important Art and Architecture

Building / Style	Importance
Indo-Saracenic Architecture	Persian shape with Indian decoration.
Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid	Built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak; considered one of the oldest mosques in India.
Qutb Minar	Started by Aibak and completed by Iltutmish.
Alai Darwaza	Important example of Sultanate architecture.
Moth-ki-Masjid	Important mosque of Sultanate period.
Tombs of Iltutmish and Balban	Examples of Sultanate tomb architecture.
Daulatabad and Firozabad Forts	Built in Indo-Saracenic style.

Important Places to Remember

Place	Importance
Delhi	Main capital of the Delhi Sultanate.
Lahore	Early capital of Qutb-ud-din Aibak.
Kara	Ala-ud-din Khalji was governor of Kara.
Devagiri / Daulatabad	Muhammad-bin-Tughluq shifted his capital here from Delhi.
Warangal	Defeated by Jauna Khan and later accepted Khalji suzerainty under southern campaigns.
Madurai	Reached by Malik Kafur in 1310 CE; later became a separate Sultanate in 1334 CE.
Samarkand	Timur’s region in Central Asia.
Sirhind	Bahlol Lodi was governor of Sirhind.
Agra	Founded by Sikandar Lodi and made his capital.
Panipat	Place where Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi in 1526 CE.

Important Exam Points from the Lesson

Topic	Important Point
Muslim rule established in India by	Muhammad Ghori.
Founder of Slave / Mamluk Dynasty	Qutb-ud-din Aibak.
Mamluk Meaning	Slave.
Bandagan	Persian term for slaves purchased for military service.
Aibak shifted capital from	Lahore to Delhi.
Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid built by	Qutb-ud-din Aibak.
Qutb Minar foundation laid by	Qutb-ud-din Aibak.
Qutb Minar completed by	Iltutmish.
Iltutmish was	Son-in-law of Qutb-ud-din Aibak.
Chahalgani / The Forty	Organised by Iltutmish.
Iqta	Land granted to army officials instead of regular wage.
Iqta holder	Iqtadar or Muqti.
Razia	Daughter of Iltutmish; able and brave fighter.
The Forty abolished by	Balban.
Amir Khusru patronised by	Balban.
Governor of Kara	Ala-ud-din Khalji.
Sack of Chittor	1303 CE.
Malik Kafur invaded Madurai	1310 CE.
Tughluq Dynasty founded by	Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq.
Tughluqabad founded by	Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq.
Muhammad-bin-Tughluq’s other name	Jauna Khan.
Capital shifted by Muhammad-bin-Tughluq	Delhi to Devagiri / Daulatabad.
Token currency issued in	Copper.
Moroccan traveller	Ibn Battuta.
Firoz Shah Tughluq	Built canals, gardens, colleges, mosques, hospitals, and towns.
Timur invaded India	1398 CE.
Sayyid Dynasty founded by	Khizr Khan.
Lodi Dynasty founded by	Bahlol Lodi.
Agra founded by	Sikandar Lodi.
Last ruler of Delhi Sultanate	Ibrahim Lodi.
First Battle of Panipat	1526 CE; Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi.

Vocabulary to Remember

Sultanate – kingdom ruled by a Sultan
Sultan – Muslim ruler
Bandagan – slaves purchased for military service
Mamluk – Arabic word meaning slave
Iqta – land granted to army officials instead of regular salary
Iqtadar – holder of an Iqta
Muqti – another name for Iqta holder
Chahalgani – group of forty Turkish nobles
Conspirator – person who secretly plans harmful action
Impending – about to happen
Ferocious – cruel or violent
Patron – supporter of art, learning, or religion
Plunder – to take wealth by force
Procurement – process of obtaining supplies
Disastrous – causing great damage
Fragment – break into pieces
Counterfeit – fake
Waiving – exempting or cancelling
Jauhar – Rajput custom during defeat
Indo-Saracenic – architectural style combining Persian shape and Indian decoration
Madrasa – Islamic educational institution
Minaret – tall tower near a mosque

TET / Exam Focus Areas

Very Important Focus: These are the most expected textbook-based areas from this lesson.

Who established Muslim rule in India?
Who founded the Slave or Mamluk dynasty?
What is the meaning of Mamluk?
What is Bandagan?
Who built Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid?
Who laid the foundation of Qutb Minar?
Who completed Qutb Minar?
What is Chahalgani?
What is Iqta?
Who was Razia Sultana?
What were the achievements of Balban?
How did Ala-ud-din Khalji consolidate the Sultanate?
Who was Malik Kafur?
Write about the Sack of Chittor.
Who founded Tughluqabad?
What were Muhammad-bin-Tughluq’s failed experiments?
List the contributions of Firoz Shah Tughluq.
Write about Timur’s invasion in 1398 CE.
Who founded the Sayyid and Lodi dynasties?
Who founded Agra?
What happened in the First Battle of Panipat?
What is Indo-Saracenic architecture?

Short Answer Questions and Answers

1. Who established Muslim rule in India?

Muhammad Ghori established Muslim rule in India in the 12th century CE.

2. Who founded the Slave Dynasty?

Qutb-ud-din Aibak founded the Slave Dynasty.

3. What is the meaning of Mamluk?

Mamluk is an Arabic word meaning slave.

4. What is Bandagan?

Bandagan is a Persian term used for slaves purchased for military service.

5. From where did Qutb-ud-din Aibak shift his capital to Delhi?

Qutb-ud-din Aibak shifted his capital from Lahore to Delhi.

6. Who built Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid?

Qutb-ud-din Aibak built Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid in Delhi.

7. Who laid the foundation of Qutb Minar?

Qutb-ud-din Aibak laid the foundation of Qutb Minar.

8. Who completed the construction of Qutb Minar?

Iltutmish completed the construction of Qutb Minar.

9. Who was Iltutmish?

Iltutmish was the son-in-law of Qutb-ud-din Aibak and an important ruler of the Slave Dynasty.

10. What is Chahalgani?

Chahalgani or The Forty was a select group of forty Turkish nobles organised by Iltutmish.

11. What is Iqta?

Iqta was land granted to army officials instead of regular salary.

12. Who was called Iqtadar or Muqti?

The holder of an Iqta was called Iqtadar or Muqti.

13. Who was Razia?

Razia was the daughter of Iltutmish. She was an able ruler and a brave fighter.

14. What were the achievements of Balban?

Balban abolished The Forty, established a spy system, built forts against Mongol attacks, dealt strictly with rebels, and patronised Amir Khusru.

15. How did Ala-ud-din Khalji consolidate the Delhi Sultanate?

Ala-ud-din Khalji consolidated the Delhi Sultanate through military conquests in Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and South India. He also introduced revenue reforms, grain procurement, state granaries, and a spy system.

16. Who was Malik Kafur?

Malik Kafur was the chief lieutenant and general of Ala-ud-din Khalji. He led campaigns in South India and reached Madurai in 1310 CE.

17. Who founded the Tughluq dynasty?

Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq founded the Tughluq dynasty.

18. Who founded the city of Tughluqabad?

Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq laid the foundation of the city Tughluqabad near Delhi.

19. What was another name of Muhammad-bin-Tughluq?

Jauna Khan was another name of Muhammad-bin-Tughluq.

20. Where did Muhammad-bin-Tughluq shift his capital?

Muhammad-bin-Tughluq shifted his capital from Delhi to Devagiri and renamed it Daulatabad.

21. What was token currency?

Token currency was copper currency issued by Muhammad-bin-Tughluq when silver was inadequate.

22. Why did Muhammad-bin-Tughluq’s token currency fail?

It failed because people made counterfeit coins, the revenue system collapsed, trade suffered, and the state became bankrupt.

23. List out the contributions of Firoz Shah Tughluq.

Firoz Shah Tughluq built colleges, mosques, hospitals, canals, gardens, and new towns. He also created charities, banned inhuman punishments, abolished unrecognised taxes, and promoted agriculture.

24. Write about Timur’s invasion in 1398 CE.

Timur invaded India in 1398 CE and plundered Delhi. Punjab and Delhi suffered greatly. He carried away wealth and took Indian artisans to Samarkand.

25. Who founded the Sayyid Dynasty?

Khizr Khan founded the Sayyid Dynasty in 1414 CE.

26. Who founded the Lodi Dynasty?

Bahlol Lodi founded the Lodi Dynasty.

27. Who founded the city of Agra?

Sikandar Lodi founded the city of Agra and made it his capital.

28. Who was the last ruler of the Delhi Sultanate?

Ibrahim Lodi was the last ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.

29. What happened in the First Battle of Panipat?

In the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 CE, Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi. This ended the Delhi Sultanate and led to the establishment of the Mughal Empire.

30. What is Indo-Saracenic architecture?

Indo-Saracenic architecture is a style in which the shape of buildings was Persian and the decoration was Indian.

How to Write This in Exam

For a short answer, write the direct point first. For example, if the question asks “What is Iqta?”, write that Iqta was land granted to army officials instead of regular wage.

For a long answer, divide the answer into headings such as Slave Dynasty, Iltutmish, Razia, Balban, Khalji Dynasty, Ala-ud-din’s conquests and reforms, Tughluqs, Muhammad-bin-Tughluq’s experiments, Firoz Shah’s welfare measures, Timur’s invasion, Sayyids, Lodis, and Indo-Saracenic architecture.

Sample Exam Answer

“The Delhi Sultanate” is an important History lesson in 7th Social Science. Muslim rule in India was established by Muhammad Ghori in the 12th century CE. After his death in 1206 CE, his slave Qutb-ud-din Aibak declared himself ruler of the Turkish territories in India and founded the Slave or Mamluk dynasty. Mamluk is an Arabic word meaning slave.

Qutb-ud-din Aibak shifted his capital from Lahore to Delhi. He built the Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid and laid the foundation of Qutb Minar. Iltutmish, his son-in-law, completed Qutb Minar, organised Chahalgani or The Forty, and introduced the Iqta system. Razia, the daughter of Iltutmish, was an able and brave fighter. Balban abolished The Forty, created a spy system, built forts against Mongol attacks, and patronised Amir Khusru.

The Khalji dynasty began after the Slave dynasty. Ala-ud-din Khalji consolidated the Delhi Sultanate through military conquests and administrative reforms. His general Malik Kafur invaded South India and reached Madurai in 1310 CE. Ala-ud-din introduced revenue reforms, grain procurement, state granaries, and a spy system.

The Tughluq dynasty was founded by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq. Muhammad-bin-Tughluq shifted his capital from Delhi to Devagiri, renamed it Daulatabad, issued copper token currency, and increased land tax in the Doab region. These experiments failed and caused suffering. Firoz Shah Tughluq built colleges, mosques, hospitals, canals, gardens, and new towns. In 1398 CE, Timur invaded India and plundered Delhi.

Later, Khizr Khan founded the Sayyid dynasty, and Bahlol Lodi founded the Lodi dynasty. Sikandar Lodi founded Agra. Ibrahim Lodi was defeated by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 CE. This ended the Delhi Sultanate and paved the way for the Mughal Empire. The Delhi Sultanate also contributed to Indo-Saracenic architecture, which combined Persian building style with Indian decoration.

One Mark Important Points

Muslim Rule in India Established By – Muhammad Ghori
Founder of Slave Dynasty – Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Another Name of Slave Dynasty – Mamluk Dynasty
Mamluk Meaning – Slave
Bandagan – Slaves purchased for military service
Aibak Shifted Capital From – Lahore to Delhi
Quwwat-ul-Islam Masjid Built By – Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Qutb Minar Foundation Laid By – Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Qutb Minar Completed By – Iltutmish
Iltutmish – Son-in-law of Aibak
Chahalgani / The Forty – Organised by Iltutmish
Iqta – Land granted to army officials instead of regular wage
Iqta Holder – Iqtadar or Muqti
Razia – Daughter of Iltutmish
The Forty Abolished By – Balban
Amir Khusru Patronised By – Balban
Khalji Dynasty Period – 1290–1320 CE
Governor of Kara – Ala-ud-din Khalji
Sack of Chittor – 1303 CE
Malik Kafur Reached Madurai – 1310 CE
Tughluq Dynasty Founder – Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq
Tughluqabad Founded By – Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq
Another Name of Muhammad-bin-Tughluq – Jauna Khan
Devagiri Renamed As – Daulatabad
Token Currency Issued In – Copper
Moroccan Traveller – Ibn Battuta
Firoz Shah Tughluq Built – Colleges, mosques, hospitals, canals, gardens, towns
Timur’s Invasion – 1398 CE
Sayyid Dynasty Founder – Khizr Khan
Lodi Dynasty Founder – Bahlol Lodi
Agra Founded By – Sikandar Lodi
Last Delhi Sultanate Ruler – Ibrahim Lodi
First Battle of Panipat – 1526 CE
Babur Defeated – Ibrahim Lodi
Delhi Sultanate Ended By – Babur
Architecture Style – Indo-Saracenic

Short Conclusion

“The Delhi Sultanate” teaches us about the rule of Turkish Sultans from Delhi between 1206 CE and 1526 CE. It explains the Slave or Mamluk dynasty, Khalji dynasty, Tughluq dynasty, Sayyid dynasty, and Lodi dynasty. Important rulers like Qutb-ud-din Aibak, Iltutmish, Razia, Balban, Ala-ud-din Khalji, Muhammad-bin-Tughluq, Firoz Shah Tughluq, Sikandar Lodi, and Ibrahim Lodi are discussed in this lesson. This lesson is important for exams because many direct questions can be asked from Qutb Minar, Iqta, Chahalgani, Ala-ud-din’s reforms, Muhammad-bin-Tughluq’s experiments, Firoz Shah’s contributions, Timur’s invasion, First Battle of Panipat, and Indo-Saracenic architecture.