Slave / Mamluk Dynasty
Realm 26: Ilbari Turks, The Corp of Forty, and the Qutb Minar
WORLD E — DELHI SULTANATE
MICRO-REALM 01
Ilbari Turks / Origins
- Originating from Central Asian steppes.
- Military slaves (Mamluks) of Muhammad Ghori.
- Purchased for martial prowess.
- Rose to generals, then kings.
MICRO-REALM 02
Qutb al-Din Aibak
- Reigned 1206–1210 CE.
- Known as "Lakh Bakhsh" (Giver of Lakhs).
- Began building the Qutb Minar.
- Died fatally falling from a horse playing Chaugan.
MICRO-REALM 03
Iltutmish
- Reigned 1211–1236 CE (Real founder).
- Shifted capital from Lahore to Delhi.
- Saved Delhi from Genghis Khan by denying asylum to Mingburnu.
- Completed the Qutb Minar.
MICRO-REALM 04
The Iqta System
- Institutionalized by Iltutmish.
- Land grants given in lieu of salary.
- Holders (Iqtadars) collected revenue.
- Maintained troops for the Sultan.
MICRO-REALM 05
Turkan-i-Chihalgani
- "The Corp of Forty".
- Elite council of Turkish nobles.
- Consolidated power after Iltutmish.
- Became treacherous kingmakers.
MICRO-REALM 06
Razia Sultana
- Reigned 1236–1240 CE.
- First and only female Muslim ruler of Delhi.
- Discarded veil; wore male attire.
- Nobles rebelled over her favor for Yakut, an Abyssinian.
MICRO-REALM 07
Ghiyas ud din Balban
- Reigned 1266–1287 CE.
- Policy of "Blood and Iron".
- Crushed the Turkan-i-Chihalgani ruthlessly.
- Centralized military and suppressed rebellions.
MICRO-REALM 08
Divine Right of Kings
- Claimed title "Zill-i-Ilahi" (Shadow of God).
- Emphasized Persian courtly grandeur.
- Introduced *Sijda* (prostration).
- Introduced *Paibos* (kissing the monarch's feet).
MICRO-REALM 09
Mongol Defense
- Created a powerful standing army (Diwan-i-Arz).
- Fortified the northwestern frontier.
- Cleared forests around Delhi (Mewatis).
- His beloved son, Prince Muhammad, died fighting Mongols.
MICRO-REALM 10
Decline & Fall
- Balban's death led to succession chaos.
- Grandson Kaiqubad was weak and paralyzed.
- Non-Turkic nobles revolted.
- Jalaluddin Khalji seized the throne (1290 CE).