Who was the real founder of Delhi Sultanate?

Answer 1

Muhammad ghori

Iltutmish was the son in law and successor to Qutbuddin Aibak. Although Aibak laid the foundation of the delhi sultanate it is believed that Iltutmish was the real founder of the dynasty.... This is due to several reasons:

• Muhammad of Ghor was succeeded by Qutbuddin Aibak, a Turkish slave in 1206 A.D. Thus founding the Slave Dynasty. At the same time his fellow slaves Ieldos and Qubacha claimed their independence. From this point on The Sultanate severed links with Ghazni.
• Qutbuddin Aibak ruled from 1206-1210 A.D. A mere 4 years. Thus he could not achieve much in that time. He could not undertake any new conquests as he was busy in suppressing the revolts of the Rajputs and resisting his rivals. He was unable to establis a strong government.
• Upon Aibaks death there was a war of succession between Iltutmish and Aram Shah. Iltutmish emerged victorious as Aram Shah was incompetent and he himself a capeable general. He also had the support of some of Aibak's court.
• He faced a lot of difficulties, but with forsight and determination he succeeded in overcoming them. With clever diplomacy and militarycampaigns he overpowered his rivals Ieldos and Qubacha, the slaves of Muhammad Ghori, in the N.W. and the Punjab.
• He saved the Delhi Sultanate from the invasion of Chengiz Khan, the ferocious Mongol leader by refusing to ba drawn in an aliance with the Khwarizi prince, Mangabarni.
• Iltutmish conquered and annexed different regions of the Punjab including Lahore, Sailakot and Jalandhar. He also succeeded in recovering the rebellious province of Bengal.
• Rajput rebellions in different regionsof western and central India were suppressed and their strongholds such as; Ajmer, Gwalior, Jalor and Ranthambhor were captured.
• Iltutmish tried to consolidate the power of the Delhi Sultanate and strenthen the position of the sultan.
• He organised the Chalisa, which were a group of 40 Turkish nobles chosen from amongst his most deserving slaves. This was also the base of his power as the chalisa were very loyal to him. And also as these were the most capeable and loyal slaves they were placed in key positions of the government and thus helped in the smooth running of the state.
• He was the first Turkish ruler to introduce the first purely Arabic coinage. He issued a silver coin known as tanka. This minting of coins leant his position a sense of legitamacy and power. It put him on the map and an acknowledged ruler. Thus lending his position more power and in turn more recognition to the Sultanate.
• He made adequate provision for dispensing justicepromptly and impartially.
• He finished the construction of the Qutub minar at Delhi.
• Also he secured a letter of investiture from the Caliph of Bagdad(the religious head of the Muslim empire). Thus legitimizing his rule as the Sultan of Delhi.
• And it is for all these reasons that it is said that Shamsuddin Iltutmish was the founder of the Delhi Sultanate.