Islamset - The Mamluk State in Delhi

Features of Unity in the Civilization of the Islamic World

Islamic Civilization in Asia

The Mamluk State in Delhi

Its first sultan was Qutb al-Din Aybak after the death of his master. He was known for his strict adherence to the teachings of Islam as shown by his hatred of the social system in India and his equal treatment of people as preached in Islam. Aybak built a great mosque in Delhi called "Quwwat Islam" with a minaret 250 feet high known as "Qutub Minar" that means "Qutub's minaret" perhaps the highest in the world. It still stands and is known as "Qutub Manar", with Arabic and Indian decorations and engravings.

Aybak died in 608 A.H. (1210 A.D.) when he fell off his horse during a ball game. He was succeeded by his son-in-law Shams al-Din Ultatmesh who treated his people fairly and corrected grievances.

His greatest achievement was when the Caliph Al-Mustansir in Baghdad recognized him as the Sultan over India and sent him robes of honour and banners in 626 A.H. (1229 A.D.), the first king in India to receive them. After that, Ultatmesh minted silver coins with the caliph's name engraved with his own. His predecessors used to mint coins similar to the national ones with familiar Indian pictures. Even conquerors names were written in Indian letters. Therefore Ultatmesh is considered the first to mint pure silver coin in India.

Sultan Ultatmesh died in 634 A.H. (1236 A.D.) with no one fit to succeed him except his daughter Ridiya who was favoured by her father due to her cleverness and good faith. Historians of India called her Queen Dooran Balqis

Jeehan i.e. the world's charm. She exerted great efforts in managing her state but was confronted by the council of Mamluk Amirs who hated her because of her marriage to an Ethiopian noble. They revolted against her and she was killed in 638 A.H. (1240 A.D.). Her end was similar to that of Sultana Shajarat al-Durr who ruled Egypt ten years later and who was killed in 648 A.H. (1250 A.D.). It was during this period that the Mongols emerged with their leader Chingiz Khan, threatening all Asia and invading the Islamic east; he overthrew the state of Jalal al-Din Mangbarti the last Shah of Khwarizm. The Mongols went northwards and captured the city of Lahore and massacred its people and its ruler Karakush fled to Delhi. The situation dictated the emergence of a strong character to save Muslims and Islam from imminent danger. Under these circumstances, Amir Balban, an Ultatmesh mamluk, appeared and became the Sultan of India. He dealt a decisive blow to the Mongols who invaded the Sind and Punjab regions in 678 A.H. (1279 A.d.). He deserved the title "llak Khan" i.e. the strong Amir.

From the foregoing, we see how the Ghurids and their Turkish mamluks continued the message of the Ghaznawids by spreading Islam in India and defending it against surrounding pagan powers such as the Hindus and Mongols.