Delhi Sultanate UPSC Notes: Dynasties, Rulers, Culture & Key Facts

The Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526 CE) was an important period in Indian history. For more than 300 years, Delhi was ruled by strong Sultans. They brought new ways of administration, new cultural ideas, and a mix of Indian and Islamic traditions. This period shaped politics and created an Indo-Islamic culture that still impacts India today.

Here, we will cover the Delhi Sultanate’s political chronology, administration, society, and cultural legacy, all key areas for UPSC preparation.

The Delhi Sultanate began after Muhammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192 at the Second Battle of Tarain. When Ghori died in 1206, his trusted general Qutb-ud-din Aibak took control and became the first Sultan of Delhi, starting the Slave Dynasty (also called the Mamluk Dynasty).

The Delhi Sultanate went through five dynasties, each adding its own changes in politics, military, and culture. Understanding the timeline and key rulers is very important for UPSC Prelims fact-based questions.

1. Mamluk/Slave Dynasty (1206–1290)

• Founded by Qutb-ud-din Aibak (first Sultan).
• Iltutmish gave stability and introduced silver tanka coins.
• Razia Sultan (1236–1240) was the only woman ruler.
• Balban strengthened the army and centralised power.

2. Khilji Dynasty (1290–1320)

• Jalal-ud-din Khilji was the founder.
• Alauddin Khilji expanded the empire into the Deccan, controlled markets, and defeated Mongol invasions.

3. Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414)

• Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq founded the dynasty.
• Muhammad bin Tughlaq tried bold experiments:
• Shifted capital from Delhi to Daulatabad.
• Introduced token currency (failed due to forgery).
• Firuz Shah Tughlaq built canals, reduced taxes, and promoted public works.

4. Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451)

• Came after Timur’s invasion in 1398.
• Weak rulers, small territories.

5. Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526)

• Afghan dynasty.
• Bahlol Lodi and Sikandar Lodi expanded the territory.
• Ibrahim Lodi was defeated by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat (1526).

Also read: List of Important Battles in Indian History for the UPSC Examination

The Delhi Sultans built a strong central administration. They organised departments for finance, army, markets, and justice, and introduced the Iqta system to manage land revenue and soldiers.

1. Central Administration

• Wazir (Diwan-i-Wazarat): The chief minister, responsible for finance and state treasury. He oversaw revenue collection, expenditures, and the payment of the army.
• Diwan-i-Arz: The military department, headed by Ariz-i-Mumalik, was responsible for recruitment, army records (huliya), and military supplies. Alauddin Khilji formalised the branding (dagh) of horses and cash salaries for soldiers.
• Diwan-i-Rasalat (Diwan-i-Qada): The judicial/religious department, led by Sadr-us-Sadr, oversaw Qazis (judges) and Islamic law administration.
• Diwan-i-Insha: Handled royal correspondence and intelligence (Barid-i-Mumalik was the spy network).
• Diwan-i-Riyasat: (Under Alauddin Khilji) supervised markets and price controls. It employed market inspectors and spies (munhiyans) to enforce price regulations.
• Amil – local revenue officer who collected land tax from peasants and supervised villages.
• Barid – Head of intelligence and news reporting
• Others: Diwan-i-Amir Kohi (Alauddin’s finance office to support farmers), Diwan-i-Waqoof (Jalaluddin Khilji’s separate expenditure office), etc.

2. Provincial Administration: 

• The empire was divided into Iqtas (land assignments).
• Nobles (called Iqta-dars or Muqtis) collected revenue and maintained soldiers.
• Some land was kept directly under the Sultan (called Khalisa land).

3. Fiscal and Army Policies: 

• Land revenue (kharaj) was the Sultan’s main income.
• Alauddin Khilji introduced land measurement (hukm-i-misahat) and direct collection to squeeze higher revenue.
• The military was salaried and strictly regulated.

The society during the Delhi Sultanate period was mainly based on farming. Most people were peasants, and rulers collected land tax from them.

1. Agriculture and Land Revenue: 

• The state collected kharaj (land tax) from peasants.
• Areas that did not pay tax were called mawas (uncultivated lands).
• Muhammad bin Tughlaq tried to help farmers with loans through a special department (Diwan-i-Amir Kohi).
• Firuz Shah Tughlaq removed some taxes but added an irrigation tax on canal areas.

2. Currency and Trade: 

• Iltutmish introduced silver (tanka) and copper (jital) coins.
• Muhammad bin Tughlaq started issuing token copper coins, but they failed because people made fake ones.
• Ports like Calicut and Cochin became important for sea trade with West Asia and beyond.

3. Crafts and Guilds:

• Cities were known for crafts such as textiles, metalwork, and pottery.
• Craftsmen often worked in groups called guilds (shrenis).
• New skills like carpet weaving came with the arrival of Turkic-Afghan nobles.

4. Society and Caste

• Hindu caste divisions continued during the Sultanate.
• Shudras still had a low position but gained some new rights (like listening to Sanskrit stories).
• Many people converted to Islam.

1. Ashrafs = higher/noble Muslims.
2. Ajlafs = lower-class Muslims.

The Sultanate was based on Islam, but it also allowed cultural blending. Sufism, Bhakti saints, Persian literature, and Hindavi language made this period rich in spiritual and cultural growth.

• The state religion was Sunni Islam.
• Jizya tax was imposed on non-Muslims (Firuz Shah Tughlaq even charged Brahmins).
• Sufism grew popular. Saints like Nizamuddin Auliya spread love, harmony, and simple living.
• The Bhakti movement also gained strength during this time.
• Language: Persian was the court language, but a mix of Persian and local dialects created Urdu/Hindavi.
• Literature:

1. Amir Khusrau – poet, musician, called “Parrot of India.”
2. Ziauddin Barani, historian, wrote Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi.

The Delhi Sultanate introduced Indo-Islamic architecture. Their use of domes, arches, and minarets influenced later Mughal architecture.

• Qutb Minar – built by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and Iltutmish.
• Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque – the earliest mosque in Delhi.
• Alai Darwaza – gateway built by Alauddin Khilji.
• Tughlaqabad Fort – built by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.
• Lodi Gardens – tombs of Sikandar Lodi and others.

Features of Architecture:

• Arches, domes, and minarets.
• Red sandstone and white marble.
• Use of jali (stone lattice work).
• Garden-tombs were introduced (later perfected by the Mughals).

Also read: UPSC Mains History Optional Syllabus, Paper Structure, and Study Materials

The Delhi Sultanate was a period that changed how India was governed, how people lived, and how cultures mixed. It gave India new systems of administration, coins, taxes, art, and architecture. It also created a blend of Indian and Islamic traditions that we still see in language, music, and buildings today.

Preparing the Delhi Sultanate topic for UPSC helps you build a strong base in medieval Indian history and ensures better answers in both Prelims and Mains.

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