Shamsuddin
Iltutmish
 |
Shamsuddin
Iltutmish
|
Sultan of Delhi
Reign – A.D. 1211 to 1236
Father - Ilam Khan
Iltutmish was a
Turk by caste like his master Qutbuddin Aibak, but he belonged to Ilbari tribe
of Central Asia. His father Ilam Khan was belonging to head of his tribe.
Iltutmish was very handsome, virtuous and intelligent and his father loved him
very much. Dr. R.C. Majumdar has written, “He had a remarkably beautiful
appearance and showed signs of intelligence and sagacity from his early days.”
His intelligence and virtues excited the jealousy of his half-brother who sold
him as a slave to a slave trader named Jamaluddin. After passing through many
hands, he was ultimately sold to Qutbuddin Aibak who treated him very kindly.
Lanepoole remarks, “What Aibak had been to Muhammad Ghori, Iltutmish was to
Aibak who treated him like his own son.”
As it was the
fashion in those days that the slave traders used to train some promising young
slaves, Iltutmish seems to have attained education and knowledge of the Islamic
world during the early days of his adversity. Aibak was very much impressed by
his qualities and provided him with high practical military training. Being
influenced by his merits and ability he appointed him on various important
posts, such as Sir Jandar (Head of the Bodyguards) and Amir-i-Shikar (Lord of
the Hunts). In fact, he rose to higher positions by his own merit by winning
the confidence and affection of his master.
In A.D. 1205 when
Muhammad Ghori made an invasion against the Khokhars in Punjab, Iltutmish
impressed the master of his master very much and he ordered his slave Aibak to
free Iltutmish from slavery. Minhaj-us-Siraj remarks, “The Sultan (Muhammad
Ghori) in the midst of the battle observed his feats of daring and courage and
enquired who he was. When his Majesty was enlightened upon this point, he
called him into his presence and honored him with a special notice. Qutbuddin
was ordered to treat Iltutmish well, as he was destined for great works. His
majesty then ordered the deed of his freedom to be written out and graciously
granted him his liberty.”
After the victory
of Gwalior Iltutmish was appointed as in-charge of the fort of Gwalior and
Aibak gave his daughter to him in marriage. The title of Amir-ul-Umra was also
bestowed on him. Subsequently, the governorship of Baran (Bulandshahar) was
given to him. Finally, in A.D. 1206, he had the charge of Badaun as one of the
most beloved lieutenants and son-in-law of Aibak.
Iltutmish was a
brave soldier and an experienced military commander. The Sultan, Muhammad
Ghori, was very much impressed by his valour and instructed his slave Aibak to
free him from slavery. He led the army against Yaldoz, Qubacha, Rajputs and
Bengal and always attained victory due to his ability and capability.
Dr. A.L.
Srivastava writes, “Iltutmish was not a builder of civil institutions and was
not a constructive statesmen.” But Dr K.A. Nizami does not agree with
Srivastava and remarks, “The administrative setup of Iqta (Province) and the
maintenance of the army of the Sultan were his contributions to the
administration of the Delhi Sultanate.” Moreover, introduction of Arabic
coinage such as silver ‘Tanka’ and copper ‘Jital’ were also wonderful contributions
of Iltutmish.
Iltutmish was a
far-sighted diplomat. He gave birth to dynastic monarchy system and
strengthened the political structure of the sultanate. His behavior towards
Chengiz Khan and Mangbarni was purely diplomatic. He cleverly refused to support
prince Mangbarni and yet did not let the Muslims be annoyed. He provided a
legal status to the infant Muslim Kingdom and established dynastic rule very
successfully. Dr. R.P. Tripathi writes about him, “The history of Muslim
sovereignty in India begins with him”
Professor A.B.M.
Habibullah writes, “Aibak outlined the Delhi Sultanate and its sovereign
status. Iltutmish was unquestionably its first king.”
Iltutmish was a
religious person. He used to spend enough time in worship and contemplation. He
gave liberal patronage to Sufi saints and other learned persons. But he was
intolerant towards the Hindus and his behavior toward the Shias was also
callous. He destroyed the Hindus temple of Mahakal at Ujjain. He did not bother
to consult in Ulema again and again. Nomination of Raziya as his successor is a
clear indication of this fact.
Minhaj-us-Siraj
praises Sultan Iltutmish in these words, “No king so benevolent, sympathetic,
reverent to the learned and the old, ever rose by his own efforts to the cradle
of Empire.”
Although
Professor habibullah does not accept Iltutmish to be a great ruler, he
mentioned, “He was an unusually able ruler who left his mark on every sheet of
Sultanate’s activity.”
Lane-Poole
regards Iltutmish to be “a true founder of the Slave kings which Aibak did not
live long enough to consolidate.” Dr. Ishwari Prasad remarks, “Iltutmish is
undoubtedly, the real founder of the slave dynasty.”
On the way to
attack Bayana, he fell ill. His condition became so precarious that he had to
return to Delhi but no medicine could cure him and ultimately he died in his
palace in A.D. 1236.
To sum up, we may
quote Dr. B.C. Majumdar, “Iltutmish may justly be regarded as the greatest
ruler of the early Turkish Sultanate of Delhi which lasted till A.D. 1290.”
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