This period can be divided into 5 distinct periods:-
- The Slave Dynasty(1206-90)
- The Khilji Dynasty(1290-1320)
- The Tughlaq Dynasty(1320-1414)
- The Sayyid Dynasty(1414-51)
- The Lodhi Dynasty(1451-1526)
The Slave Dynasty: 1206-90 AD
Shamsuddin Iltutmish: 1211-36
➤He was a slave of Qutubuddin Aibak and occupied the throne of Delhi in 1211 after deposing Aram Bakhsh,
➤He was a very capable ruler and is regarded as the ‘real founder of the Delhi Sultanate’. He made Delhi the capital in place of Lahore.
➤He saved Delhi Sultanate from the wrath of Chengiz Khan, the Mongol leader, by refusing shelter to Khwarizm Shah, whom Chengiz was chasing.
➤He introduced the silver coin (tanka) and the copper coin (jital). He organised the Iqta System and introduced reforms in civil administration and army, which was now centrally paid and recruited.
➤He set up an official nobility of slaves known as Chahalgani Chalisa (group of 40).
➤He completed the construction of Qutub Minar which was started by Aibak.
➤He patronised Minhaj-us-Siraj, author of ‘Tabaqat-i- Nasiri’.
Razia Sultana: 1236-40
➤Though Iltutmish had nominated his daughter Razia as the successor, the nobles placed Ruknuddin Firoj on the throne. However, Razia got rid of Ruknuddin and ascended the throne.
➤She was the first and only Muslim lady who ever ruled India.