• The Muslim invasions into India had ultimately resulted in the establishment of Delhi Sultanate which existed from A.D. 1206 to 1526. The Delhi Sultanate was ruled by five different dynasties: the Slave, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyids, and Lodis. They expanded their dominance throughout North India as well as into the Deccan and South India. They brought about significant changes in society, government, and culture throughout their dominance in India.
• Five different dynasties – the Slave, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyids and Lodis – ruled under the Delhi Sultanate.
• Slave Dynasty (1206-1290)
• Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320)
• Thuglaq Dynasty (1320-1414)
• Sayeed Dynasty (1414-1451)
• Lodhi Dynasty (1451-1526)

Slave Dynasty (1206-1290)

• The Slave dynasty was also called Mamluk dynasty. Mamluk was the Quranic term for slave. The Slave dynasty ruled Delhi from A.D. 1206 to 1290. In fact, three dynasties were established during this period. They were
• Qutbi dynasty (1206-1211) founded by Qutbuddin Aibak.
• First Ilbari dynasty (1211- 1266) founded by Iltutmish.
• Second Ilbari dynasty (1266-1290) founded by Balban.

Qutbuddin Aibak (1206-1210)

• Qutbuddin Aibak was initially a slave of Muhammad Ghori, who appointed him as the Governor of his Indian possessions. Aibak set up his military headquarters at Indraprasta, near Delhi, and raised a standing army to solidify his control over North India, even during Ghori’s lifetime. Following Ghori’s death in 1206, Aibak declared his independence, severing all ties with Ghori’s kingdom. He thus founded the Slave dynasty and the Delhi Sultanate. Aibak assumed the title of Sultan and established Lahore as his capital. He was also known as Lakh Baksh, or the “giver of lakhs,” for his generosity.

Impact of Turkish Conquest on India

• The Turkish conquest of India had its impact in various fields. It paved the way for the liquidation of the multi-state system in India. The political ideal of the Turkish Sultan was a centralized political organization controlled by a monarch with unlimited powers and there was no place for feudalism in it. The institution of Iqtas was employed for the purpose of breaking the feudal traditions of the various areas and for linking up the various parts of the empire to one center. The Turkish Sultans established a capital in the very heart of northern India, significantly contributing to the region’s administrative unity. They provided a foundational structure for an all-India administration by bringing the major cities and principal roads under the direct control of the Delhi government. This centralized system enhanced the coherence and connectivity of the vast Indian subcontinent under a unified administrative framework. As a result of the centralized monarchy in Northern India, there was a marked change in the political horizon.
• His rule lasted for a short period of four years. Aibak patronized the great scholar Hasan Nizami. He also started the construction of after the name of a famous Sufi saint Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakthiyar. It was later completed by Iltutmish. Aibak died suddenly while playing chaugan (horse polo) in 1210. He was succeeded by his son Aram Baksh, who was replaced by Iltutmish after eight months.