Sultan Iltutmish was king of Delhi sultanate, belongs to Mamluk Dynasty or Slave Dynasty

Iltutmish died on 30 April 1236. He was buried in the Qutb complex in Mehrauli. The death of Iltutmish was followed by years of political instability in Delhi.

Who was Iltutmish?

Shams-ud-Din Iltutmish was the third of the Mamluk kings who ruled the former Ghurid territories in northern India. He is considered the effective founder of the Delhi Sultanate because he was the Muslim sovereign to rule from Delhi.

Early Life of Iltutmish

Iltutmish was sold as a slave when he was young. He spent his early life in Bukhara and Ghazini under multiple masters. In the late 1190s, the Ghurid slave-commander Qutb al-Din Aibak purchased him in Delhi. He rose to prominence in Aibak’s service. He was granted the important Iqta of Badaun.

In 1205-1206, his military actions against the Khokhar gained the attention of the Ghuriz Emperor Mu’izz ad-Din Muhammad Ghori. Mu’izz ad-Din manumitted(release from slavery) him even before his master Aibak was manumitted.

Story of becoming King

In 1206, after Mu’izz ad-Din died, Aibak became a practically independent ruler of the Ghurid territories in India, with his headquarters at Lahore.

After Aibak’s death, Iltutmish dismissed his unloved successor Aram Shah in 1211. He set up Delhi as the capital. He married a daughter of Aibak. He defeated some protesters and gained control over much of the territory that had been lost after Aibak’s death.

Death of Iltutmish

In 1236, Iltutmish fell ill during a march towards Qarluq’s stronghold of Bamyan. He returned to Delhi on 20 April, at the time chosen by his astrologers. On 30 April 1236, he died and was buried in the Qutb complex in Mehrauli.

Delhi after his Death

His death was followed by years of instability in Delhi. Iltutmish groomed his eldest son Malikus Sa’id Nasiruddin Mahmud as his successor, but unfortunately, he died in 1229. 

She was first female sultan of delhi sultanate
Razia Sultan

When he was leaving for his Gwalior campaign in 1231, Iltutmish had left Delhi’s administration to his daughter Razia. Her efficient administration provoked him to declare her as his heir apparent in 1231, upon his return from Gwalior.

To know more about Iltutmish Daughter Razia and Political Instability of Delhi

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