Salve dynasty
Question: Razia Sultana: Detailed Notes
Answer: Razia Sultana, also known as Raziya al-Din or simply Razia, was a groundbreaking figure in Indian history. She was the first and only woman to rule the Delhi Sultanate, a Muslim kingdom that controlled much of northern India from the 13th to 16th century. Razia ruled from 1236 to 1240 CE, making her not just the first female Sultan of Delhi but also the only Muslim woman to ever sit on such a throne in the Indian subcontinent. Her reign was short but remarkable because she challenged the male-dominated world of medieval politics. Born into the Slave Dynasty (also called the Mamluk Dynasty), Razia was the daughter of Sultan Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, who was himself a former slave who rose to power. Razia's story is one of courage, intelligence, and tragedy. She tried to govern fairly, promote education and arts, and make reforms, but faced strong opposition from powerful nobles who couldn't accept a woman as their leader. Her life shows how hard it was for women in power during that time, and she remains a symbol of female empowerment in history.
In the 13th century, the Delhi Sultanate was still new. It started in 1206 when Qutb-ud-din Aibak, a slave general, became the first Sultan after the death of his master, Muhammad of Ghor. The kingdom was ruled by Turkish slaves who had converted to Islam and gained power through military skills. Women had little role in politics; they were expected to stay in the background, managing households or influencing from behind the scenes. But Razia broke this mold. She was trained in administration, warfare, and horse-riding by her father, who saw her potential. Iltutmish had several sons, but he thought they were weak and unfit to rule. He once said, "My sons are given to pleasures and cannot manage the empire." So, he named Razia as his heir, which shocked many people. This decision was bold because Islamic traditions and Turkish customs favored male rulers. Razia's reign came at a time when the Sultanate was facing threats from Mongols in the north and rebellions from local Hindu kings like the Rajputs. She had to prove herself in a world full of enemies.
Early Life and Background
Razia was born around 1205 CE in Delhi or Badaun (now in Uttar Pradesh, India). Her full name was Jalalat-ud-din Raziya, and she belonged to the Ilbari Turk tribe from Central Asia. Her father, Iltutmish, was captured as a slave but became a trusted general under Qutb-ud-din Aibak. After Aibak's death in 1210, Iltutmish took the throne in 1211 and ruled wisely for 25 years. He expanded the Sultanate, introduced new coins, and built famous structures like the Qutub Minar. Razia's mother was Shah Turkan, a Turkish noblewoman who was Iltutmish's chief wife. Razia had brothers like Rukn-ud-din Firuz and Nasir-ud-din Mahmud, but they were more interested in luxury than ruling.
From a young age, Razia was different. While her brothers enjoyed parties, she learned archery, sword fighting, and how to ride horses. Iltutmish treated her like a son, taking her on military campaigns and teaching her about governance. She helped manage the kingdom when her father was away fighting wars. Historians say she was smart, brave, and fair-minded. She read books on history, religion, and strategy. Sufi saints like Khwaja Qutb-ud-din Bakhtiyar Kaki influenced her, teaching her about justice and kindness. By her teens, Razia was handling court matters and even leading prayers in mosques, which was unusual for women.
In 1236, when Iltutmish was dying, he officially named Razia as his successor. He told his nobles, "Though a woman, she is better than my sons." This was a big deal because the "Chahalgani" (Group of Forty), a powerful group of Turkish nobles, didn't like it. They wanted a male ruler they could control. After Iltutmish's death on April 30, 1236, the nobles first put Razia's brother Rukn-ud-din on the throne. But Rukn-ud-din was lazy and cruel; he spent time on pleasures while his mother Shah Turkan killed rivals. This caused chaos, with rebellions in places like Lahore and Bengal. The army and people supported Razia because she promised better rule. Within six months, Rukn-ud-din was overthrown and killed, and Razia became Sultan on November 10, 1236.
Razia's early life prepared her well. She was about 31 when she became Sultan, experienced in politics and war. But being a woman in a man's world meant she had to work twice as hard to prove herself. She stopped wearing veils (purdah) and dressed like a man in tunic, trousers, and a hat. She rode elephants and horses openly, leading her army. This shocked the conservative ulema (Islamic scholars) and nobles, who said it was against tradition. But Razia believed in equality and merit, not gender.
Reign and Achievements
Razia's four-year reign was full of action. She ruled from Delhi, the capital her father had strengthened. Her first task was to win over the nobles. She kept many of her father's ministers but promoted loyal people based on talent, not birth. This included non-Turks like Ethiopians and Indians, which angered the Turkish Chahalgani. One of her favorites was Jamal-ud-din Yaqut, an Ethiopian slave who became her chief advisor and master of stables (Amir-i-Akhur). Rumors spread that they were lovers, but historians say it was just gossip to defame her.
In administration, Razia was efficient. She held open courts (darbar) where common people could complain directly. She improved justice by punishing corrupt officials. She divided the kingdom into provinces (iqtas) and appointed honest governors. To keep peace, she suppressed rebellions quickly. For example, in 1237, she defeated a revolt by the governor of Lahore, Kabir Khan. She also recaptured Ranthambore fort from Rajputs in 1237–1238.
Economically, Razia made smart changes. She issued new silver coins called "tankas" with her name and title "Sultana Raziya," showing her as a legitimate ruler. These coins helped trade. She built roads connecting villages to cities, making travel safer and boosting business. She encouraged farming by digging wells and canals for irrigation. Razia abolished the "Jazia" tax on Hindus in some areas, which was a poll tax on non-Muslims. This made her popular among Hindus and reduced rebellions. She promoted education by building schools (madrasas) and libraries. Arts flourished; poets and artists got royal support. She loved music and poetry, often holding cultural events in her court.
Militarily, Razia was brave. She led armies personally, wearing armor. In 1238, she crushed a rebellion in Gwalior. She defended the Sultanate from Mongol threats in the northwest by strengthening forts along the Indus River. Her army was diverse, including Turks, Afghans, and even Hindu soldiers, showing her inclusive approach. Razia also worked on social reforms. She encouraged widow remarriage and fought against slavery abuses. As a devout Muslim, she built mosques but respected other religions. She visited Sufi shrines and helped the poor, earning the title "Sultana-e-Hind" (Empress of India).
One big achievement was maintaining unity. The Sultanate stretched from Bengal to Punjab, and Razia kept it together despite plots. She improved the spy system to watch enemies. Her reign saw no major famines or invasions, and trade with Persia and Central Asia grew. Historians like Minhaj-us-Siraj (who wrote Tabaqat-i-Nasiri) praised her as wise and just. He said, "She was endowed with all the qualities befitting a king." Razia's policies laid the base for later rulers like Balban.
But not everything was perfect. Razia's favoritism toward Yaqut caused jealousy. Nobles felt she ignored Turkish traditions by promoting outsiders. They whispered that a woman couldn't rule effectively. These issues led to her downfall.
Challenges and Downfall
Razia faced huge challenges from the start. The biggest was sexism. The Turkish nobles, ulema, and army leaders believed only men should rule. They saw her as weak because she was a woman. Razia's decision to appear in public without a veil and ride horses like men offended them. They spread rumors about her relationship with Yaqut to damage her reputation. In Islam, close ties between a queen and a slave were seen as scandalous.
Rebellions started soon. In 1239, the governor of Bhatinda, Altunia, rebelled because he was demoted. Other nobles like those in Lahore and Multan joined him. Razia marched with her army to fight them. She captured Bhatinda but was defeated near Kaithal in Haryana. Her soldiers deserted her, and Yaqut was killed in battle. Razia was imprisoned by Altunia in Bhatinda fort.
To survive, Razia married Altunia in 1240, hoping to gain his support against other rebels. They gathered an army and marched to Delhi to reclaim the throne. But her brother Bahram Shah had already become Sultan with the nobles' help. On October 13, 1240, Razia and Altunia's army fought Bahram's forces near Delhi but lost. They fled but were caught by local Jat farmers near Kaithal. The farmers robbed and killed them on October 14, 1240. Razia was only 35. Her body was buried in a simple grave in Kaithal, later moved to Delhi near the Turkman Gate. Some say her tomb is there today, visited by admirers.
Razia's downfall was due to betrayal by nobles who couldn't accept a female ruler. The Chahalgani group wanted power for themselves. Her inclusive policies, like hiring non-Turks, made enemies. Historians argue that if she had more time, she could have been a great ruler like her father. Her death led to unstable years in the Sultanate until Balban took control in 1266.
Legacy and Impact
Razia Sultana's legacy is inspiring. She proved women could rule as well as men, even in tough times. Her story is told in books, plays, and movies. In 1983, a Bollywood film "Razia Sultan" starred Hema Malini as Razia, showing her life. Poets like Mirza Ghalib wrote about her bravery. Today, she is a role model for women's rights in South Asia. Schools and roads are named after her in India and Pakistan.
Her reign impacted the Delhi Sultanate. It showed the dangers of noble power, leading later rulers like Balban to weaken the Chahalgani. Razia's coins and buildings are historical treasures. The Qutub complex, which she helped complete, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Socially, she promoted tolerance between Muslims and Hindus, setting an example for future kings.
But her story also highlights gender inequality. In a patriarchal society, even a talented woman faced betrayal. Feminist historians see her as a victim of misogyny. In modern times, Razia inspires movements for women's leadership. Pakistan's first female Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto, compared herself to Razia.
Razia's life teaches lessons about power, prejudice, and perseverance. Though her rule was brief, her name lives on as the "Warrior Queen" who dared to lead.
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