Salve dynsaty - Balban

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Ghiyas ud din Balban was one of the most important rulers of the Delhi Sultanate in India. He ruled from 1266 to 1287 CE and was part of the Slave Dynasty, also known as the Mamluk Dynasty. Balban is famous for making the Sultanate strong and stable during a time of many problems like rebellions and invasions. He was a strict leader who believed the king should be like a god on earth, with total power. His real name was Ghiyas ud din, but people called him Balban, which means "lord" or "chief" in Turkish. He came from a slave background but rose to become the Sultan through hard work, clever politics, and military skills. Balban's rule lasted about 21 years, and he focused on law and order, breaking the power of nobles, and protecting the kingdom from enemies. He is often called the "Iron Man" of the Delhi Sultanate because of his tough ways. In these notes, I will explain his life, achievements, and legacy in simple words.

Early Life and Background

Balban was born around 1205 CE in Central Asia, in a place called Turkestan. He belonged to the Ilbari tribe, which was Turkish. As a young boy, he was captured by Mongol invaders during their raids. The Mongols sold him as a slave in Baghdad, a big city in the Middle East. There, a kind merchant bought him and raised him well. Balban learned to read, write, and fight. He was smart, tall, and strong, which helped him later.

In the 1230s, Balban was brought to India and sold again. Sultan Iltutmish, the ruler of Delhi at that time, bought him because he saw potential in the young slave. Iltutmish was also a former slave who had become Sultan, so he understood Balban's situation. Balban joined the royal court and quickly rose in ranks. He became part of the "Chahalgani," a group of 40 powerful Turkish slaves who helped run the kingdom. These nobles were like a private club that controlled everything, including who became the next Sultan.

Balban married Iltutmish's daughter to get closer to the royal family. He served as a general in the army and fought in many battles. During Razia Sultana's rule (1236–1240), who was Iltutmish's daughter and the first woman Sultan, Balban was one of the nobles who opposed her. He didn't like her because she promoted non-Turkish people, like her Ethiopian advisor Yaqut. Balban and other Chahalgani members rebelled against Razia, leading to her death in 1240.

After Razia, the throne went to weak rulers like Bahram Shah (1240–1242) and Ala-ud-din Masud Shah (1242–1246). During this time, Balban became more powerful. He was appointed as "Naib-i-Mamlakat," which means deputy to the Sultan, under Nasir-ud-din Mahmud (1246–1266), who was Iltutmish's grandson. Nasir was a simple, religious man who let Balban handle most affairs. For 20 years, Balban ruled in Nasir's name as the real power behind the throne. He used this time to build his strength and plan for the future.

Balban's early life taught him important lessons. Coming from slavery, he knew how hard life could be. He saw the chaos after Iltutmish's death, with quick changes in rulers and rebellions everywhere. This made him decide that a strong, feared king was needed to keep the kingdom safe. He also learned to be cunning in politics, making alliances and removing enemies quietly.

Rise to Power

Balban's rise was slow but steady. As Naib under Nasir-ud-din, he controlled the army and administration. He fought off threats from outside, like the Mongols who were invading from the north. In 1253, he defeated a Mongol attack near the Indus River. He also crushed internal rebellions, such as those by Rajput kings in Doab (the area between Ganga and Yamuna rivers) and in Bengal.

The Chahalgani nobles were a big problem. They were powerful and often plotted against the Sultan. Balban was part of them but wanted to weaken their hold. He slowly removed rivals by sending them to far-away posts or accusing them of crimes. For example, he got rid of Imad-ud-din Raihan, a non-Turkish noble who tried to challenge the Turks.

In 1266, Nasir-ud-din died without a son. Some say Balban poisoned him, but there's no proof. Balban quickly took the throne, declaring himself Sultan Ghiyas ud din Balban. At age 60, he was old but full of energy. The nobles accepted him because he was strong and experienced. To show his power, Balban adopted royal symbols from ancient Persian kings. He called himself "Zil-i-Ilahi," meaning "Shadow of God," and said the king was divine. He made people bow low (sijda) and kiss his feet (paibos) in court. No one could laugh or joke in his presence; the court was like a serious temple.

Balban's rise shows how slaves could become kings in the Sultanate. It was a system where merit and loyalty mattered more than birth. But once in power, Balban changed that by making the throne seem sacred and untouchable.

Reign as Sultan: Policies and Reforms

Balban's reign was all about strength and control. He believed a weak king meant a weak kingdom. His main goal was to make the Sultan supreme and crush any opposition.

First, he reformed the army. The old army had many lazy soldiers who got paid without working. Balban checked their records and removed thousands of unfit men. He introduced "dagh" (branding horses) and "huliya" (describing soldiers) to stop cheating. This made the army efficient and loyal only to him.

Second, he broke the Chahalgani. These 40 nobles had too much power and often rebelled. Balban killed, poisoned, or exiled many of them. For example, he executed Sher Khan, a relative, on false charges. By the end, only a few loyal ones remained. This ended the noble group's control and made the Sultan the absolute boss.

Third, Balban improved law and order. The kingdom had many robbers and rebels. He created a spy system (barids) to watch everyone, even his own sons. Spies reported daily on events across the land. Balban punished criminals harshly; he once hanged robbers publicly to scare others. In Doab, he cleared forests where thieves hid and built forts. This made roads safer for traders and travelers.

Balban also changed the court culture. He brought Persian traditions to make the Sultan seem like a god. No one could sit without permission, and the court was full of ceremonies. He wore rich clothes and jewels to look royal. He avoided mixing with common people and never smiled in public. This "theory of kingship" helped him gain respect and fear.

In administration, Balban divided the kingdom into provinces (iqtas) led by governors (muqtis) who reported to him. He collected taxes strictly but fairly. Farmers paid one-third of their crops as tax, but he helped during famines. He built canals for farming and encouraged trade with other countries.

Balban was a devout Muslim. He followed Islamic laws and supported ulema (scholars). But he was tolerant of Hindus; he didn't force conversions and let them practice their religion. He built mosques and helped Sufi saints. However, he destroyed some Hindu temples during wars to show power.

Balban's policies worked. The kingdom became peaceful inside, with no big rebellions during his rule. People felt safe, and trade grew. But his strictness made him enemies, and some called him a tyrant.

Military Campaigns and Defense

Balban was a great warrior. His main enemy was the Mongols, who were conquering Asia under leaders like Hulagu Khan. Mongols attacked India many times, reaching as far as Lahore. Balban built strong forts along the northwest border, like in Punjab and Sindh. He placed his best generals there, including his son Prince Muhammad.

In 1279, a big Mongol army invaded. Balban's forces, led by Prince Muhammad, fought them near Multan but lost. Prince Muhammad was captured and killed in 1285, which broke Balban's heart. But Balban didn't give up; he sent more troops and pushed the Mongols back. By his death, the Mongols couldn't enter deep into India.

Balban also fought internal enemies. In Bengal, Governor Tughril Khan rebelled in 1280 because he wanted independence. Balban sent armies, but they failed twice. Angry, Balban went himself at age 80. He captured Tughril, executed him publicly, and hanged his supporters from trees. This cruel act scared other governors from rebelling.

In the Doab region, there were Meo tribes who robbed travelers. Balban cleared their forests, killed many, and built military posts. He also suppressed Rajput revolts in Rajasthan areas like Ajmer and Nagaur.

Balban didn't expand the kingdom much; he focused on defense. He said, "A king should protect what he has before taking more." His army was well-trained, with cavalry (horse soldiers) as the main force. He paid them well to keep loyalty.

These campaigns showed Balban's determination. He lost his favorite son but kept the Sultanate safe from collapse.

Architecture, Culture, and Society

Balban loved Persian culture. He made Delhi a center of learning and art. Poets, scholars, and artists from Persia came to his court. Famous poets like Amir Khusrau and Amir Hasan wrote praises for him. Khusrau called Balban "the shadow of God." Balban supported music, poetry, and history writing.

In architecture, Balban built his tomb in Delhi, which is simple but strong, showing his style. He repaired old buildings like the Qutub Minar after damage. He also built forts and palaces, but many are lost now.

Society under Balban was divided. Muslims were the ruling class, mostly Turks. Hindus were farmers and traders, paying taxes like kharaj (land tax) and jizya (poll tax). Balban was strict but not cruel to Hindus; he let them keep their customs. Slavery was common; he had thousands of slaves in his army and court.

Balban promoted education. He built madrasas (schools) for Islamic studies. He was religious, praying five times a day and fasting. But he drank wine in private, which was against Islam, showing he wasn't perfect.

Women's role was limited, but Balban respected his wife. He had two sons: Muhammad (who died) and Bughra Khan, who became governor of Bengal.

Balban's cultural policies made Delhi a beautiful city, mixing Turkish, Persian, and Indian styles.

Death and Legacy

Balban died in 1287 CE at age 82. The death of his son Muhammad in 1285 had made him sad and weak. He named his grandson Kai Khusrau as heir, but after his death, nobles chose Kaiqubad, Muhammad's son. Kaiqubad was young and weak, leading to more chaos. The Slave Dynasty ended soon after with the rise of the Khilji Dynasty in 1290.

Balban's legacy is mixed. He saved the Sultanate from falling apart. Before him, there were quick changes in rulers; after him, it lasted longer. His ideas about kingship influenced later rulers like Alauddin Khilji. He made the Sultan powerful and the nobles weak, creating a centralized government.

But Balban was too strict. His cruelty, like public executions, made people fear him more than love him. He didn't expand the kingdom or make big economic changes. Some historians say he was a dictator who ignored the people's needs.

Today, Balban is remembered as a strong leader who protected India from Mongols. His tomb in Delhi is a historical site. Books and stories tell of his justice and power. In simple terms, Balban was the man who turned a shaky kingdom into a solid empire through fear and smart rule.