History of the Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526)
- The History of the Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526) is one of the most important topics in Medieval Indian History important for all SSC and Railway Exams 2026.
- The Delhi Sultanate were the Muslims based in Delhi that dominated the Indian subcontinent for 320 years.
- The Turkish ruler Muhammad Ghori’s conquests laid the foundation of Delhi Sultanate from 1206 to 1526 AD. This period witnessed many dynasties and rulers that ruled over large parts of India in medieval period.
- This period can be classified in 5 distinct period:
1) The Slave Dynasty(1206-90) 2) The Khilji Dynasty (1290-1320) 3) The Tughluq Dynasty (1320-1414) 4) The Sayyid Dynasty (1414-51) 5) The Lodhi Dynasty (1451-1526)
- We will discuss these dynasties and their rulers in detail helpful for all aspirants.
- This topic comes under the Medieval Indian History and are frequently asked in the SSC and Railway exams. Candidates are required to go through this article and prepare some notes of it.
Read the article: SSC and Railway Exam Calendar 2026
Slave Dynasty/ Mamluk Dynasty (1206-1290)
| Rulers | Period | Remarks |
| Qutubuddin Aibak | 1206-10 | 1) He was a Turkish ruler, he was made Governor of Delhi by Mohammad Ghori.. 2) He was given title of “Lakh Baksh.” 3) He started the construction of Qutub Minar after the name of famous Sufi saint Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar. 4) He died in 1206 while playing horse polo. |
| Shamsuddin Illtutmish | 1211-36 | 1) He was a slave of Aibak and occupied the throne of Delhi in 1211. 2) He was the greatest slave ruler and is regarded as the “real founder of the Delhi Sultanate.” 3) He completed the construction of Qutub Minar which was started by Aibak. 4) He introduced the Silver coin (tanka) and the Copper coin (jital) and also introduced the Iqta system. 5) He formed a group of 40 turkish people for mobility of slaves called Turkan-i-Chahangani. 6) He died in the year 1236 AD. |
| Ruknuddin | 1236 | He was the son of Illtutmish. |
| Razia Sultana | 1236-40 | 1) She was the “first and only Muslim women to ever ruled in India.” 2) She married to an Abyssian slave Yakut. 3) Bahram Shah (brother of Razia Sultan) killed Razia Sultan and Altunia (governor of Bhatinda) in Kaithal in 1240 AD. |
| Bahram Shah | 1240-42 | 1) He was put on the throne by the powerful turkish council Chalisa. 2) He was considered only as the de jure ruler. |
| Masud Shah | 1242-46 | 1) He was the son of Ruknuddin. |
| Nasiruddin Mahmud | 1246-66 | 1) He was the son of Illtutmish and was known as the Darvesi King as he was very pious and noble. |
| Ghiyasuddin Balban | 1266-87 | 1) He was the member of Turkan-i-Chalangani and destroyed it later on. 2) He established the military department Diwan-i-Arz. 3) Introduce the policy of “Blood and Iron.” 4) Assume the title of “Zil-i-Ilahi.” 5) He introduced Navroz Festival in India. |
| Kaiqubad | 1290 CE, Feroz, the Ariz-e-Mumalik (the minister of war) murdered Kaimur and captured the throne who later established the Khilji dynasty. |
2. Khilji Dynasty(1290-1320)
| Rulers | Period | Remarks |
| Jalaluddin Khilji | 1290-96 | 1) Founder of the Khilji dynasty. 2) He became king at the age of 70 years. 3) Introduce the policy of tolerance. 4) He died in 1296 A.D by poison given by Alauddin Khilji. |
| Alauddin Khilji | 1296-1316 | 1) He accepted the policy of Blood and Iron. 2) Also known by the name of Sikander-i-Sani (Alexander of India) 3) He killed Maharaja Ratan Singh of Mewar and wanted to marry his wife, Padmawati. 4) Buy a Eunach (Transgender) named Malik Kafur (also known as “Hazaar Dinari”) from slave market in Gujarat. 5) First Eunach in history which later became General in Khilji dynasty. 6) Alauddin Khilji was the first to bring “Standing Army System.” 7) First sultanate to collect taxes in cash. 8) He was a great disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya.“Amir Khusrau” was his court poet and known as Tuti-i-Hind (Parrot of India) by Alauddin Khilji. 9) He died in 1316 A.D. |
| Qutubuddin Mubarak Shah | 1316-20 | After the death of Alauddin Khilji, Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah (one of the sons of Alauddin) ascended the throne |
| Nasiruddin Khusro Khan | 1320 | He was the last ruler of Khilji dynasty. He was killed in 1320 A.D and ascended the throne under the title Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq. |
3) Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414)
| Rulers | Period | Remarks |
| Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq/ Ghazi Malik | 1320-25 | 1) Founder of the Tughlaq dynasty and ascended the throne under the title Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq. 2) First ruler to introduce “Irrigation work.” 3) He laid the foundation stone of Tughlaqabad Fort near Delhi. |
| Jauna Khan/ Md. Bin Tughlaq | 1325-51 | 1) He ascended the throne under the title Md. Bin Tughlaq. 2) He had many future plans but implemented them foolishly and so he was also known by the name of “wisest fool.” 3) He was one of the most controversial rulers in the Indian history. 4) He was the only Delhi Sultan who had received a comprehensive literary, religious and philosophical education 5) .Famous Moroccan traveller “Ibn Batuta” came during his reign. 6) He died in 1351 A.D due to the worsening of his health condition. |
| Feroz Shah Tughlaq | 1351-88 | 1) After the death of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, Firoz Shah Tughlaq was chosen as the Sultan by the nobles. 2) He was very fond of cities and build 600 cities in India. 3) He introduced 4 taxes based on the Quran. Kharaj– was a land tax. Zakat– was a property tax.Jizya– levied on Non-Muslims Khams– was levied during the wars. 3) Build separate Agricultural department Diwan-i-kohiHe has the greatest number of slaves (1.80lakh) controlled by Diwan-i-Bandagon. 4) He repaired many canals and imposed Haque-i-Sharb (water tax) |
| Nasiruddin Muhammad Shah | 1394-1413 | He was the last ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty. In 1398-99 A.D Timur’s invasion, a cruel conqueror from Mongolia took place.He sacked and plundered Delhi. |
Timur’s Invasion (1398)
Timur invaded Delhi in 1398 during the reign of Nasiruddin Mahmud Tughlaq. The invasion severely weakened the Sultanate and encouraged the rise of regional powers.
4) Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451)
| Rulers | Period | Remarks |
| Khizr Khan | 1414-21 | 1) He was the founder of Sayyid dynasty. 2) He is considered as the important ruler of the Sayyid dynasty. |
| Mubarak Shah | 1421-33 | He was the son of Khizr Khan. |
| Muhammad Shah | 1434-43 | |
| Ahmed Shah | 1445-51 | 1) He was the last ruler of Sayyid dynasty. 2) He was the weakest amongst all the rulers. “Hamid Khan” was the PM of Ahmed Shah who invited Bahlol Lodhi to take charge of the army. |
5) Lodhi Dynasty (1451-1526)
| Rulers | Period | Remarks |
| Bahlol Lodhi | 1) He was the founder of Lodhi dynasty. 2) He annexed the Sharqui dynasty and introduced Bahlol copper coins. | |
| Sikander Lodhi | 1489-1517 | 1)He was the greatest among all the Lodhi rulers. 2) He introduced Gazz-i-Sikandari, for measuring agricultural land. 3) He conquered Bihar and West Bengal. 4) He was a fanatical Muslim and broke the sacred image of “Jwalamukhi Temple.” 5) He shifted the capital from Delhi to Agra (city founded by him). |
| Ibrahim Lodhi | 1517-26 | 1) He was the last ruler of Lodhi dynasty and last sultan of Delhi. 2) He was considered as the very harsh ruler. 3) At last, “Daulat Khan Lodhi” (governor of Punjab) invited Babur to overthrow Ibrahim Lodhi. |
Important MCQs on the Delhi Sultanate
- The Delhi Sultanate was established in which year?
A. 1192
B. 1206
C. 1290
D. 1526
Answer: B. 1206 - Who founded the Slave Dynasty?
A. Iltutmish
B. Qutubuddin Aibak
C. Balban
D. Razia Sultan
Answer: B. Qutubuddin Aibak - Who is regarded as the real founder of the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Qutubuddin Aibak
B. Iltutmish
C. Balban
D. Alauddin Khilji
Answer: B. Iltutmish - Qutubuddin Aibak died while playing:
A. Chess
B. Chaughan
C. Wrestling
D. Archery
Answer: B. Chaughan - Who introduced the silver tanka?
A. Iltutmish
B. Alauddin Khilji
C. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D. Firoz Shah Tughlaq
Answer: A. Iltutmish - Who was the first woman ruler of the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Razia Sultan
B. Nur Jahan
C. Chand Bibi
D. Rani Durgavati
Answer: A. Razia Sultan - The policy of blood and iron is associated with:
A. Balban
B. Iltutmish
C. Alauddin Khilji
D. Sikandar Lodhi
Answer: A. Balban - Who introduced market control reforms?
A. Jalaluddin Khilji
B. Alauddin Khilji
C. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D. Firoz Shah Tughlaq
Answer: B. Alauddin Khilji - Dagh means:
A. Descriptive roll
B. Branding of horses
C. Land revenue
D. Court ceremony
Answer: B. Branding of horses - Who was the famous general of Alauddin Khilji?
A. Malik Kafur
B. Khizr Khan
C. Bairam Khan
D. Daulat Khan Lodhi
Answer: A. Malik Kafur - Who founded the Tughlaq Dynasty?
A. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
B. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
C. Firuz Shah Tughlaq
D. Balban
Answer: B. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq - Who built Tughlaqabad Fort?
A. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
B. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
C. Firuz Shah Tughlaq
D. Alauddin Khalji
Answer: A. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq - Who transferred the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad?
A. Alauddin Khalji
B. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
C. Firuz Shah Tughlaq
D. Sikandar Lodi
Answer: B. Muhammad bin Tughlaq - Who introduced token currency?
A. Iltutmish
B. Alauddin Khalji
C. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D. Ibrahim Lodi
Answer: C. Muhammad bin Tughlaq - Diwan-i-Kohi was related to:
A. Agriculture
B. Defence
C. Justice
D. Foreign affairs
Answer: A. Agriculture - Who is associated with canals and public works?
A. Balban
B. Firuz Shah Tughlaq
C. Alauddin Khalji
D. Ibrahim Lodi
Answer: B. Firuz Shah Tughlaq - Timur invaded Delhi in:
A. 1290
B. 1320
C. 1398
D. 1526
Answer: C. 1398 - Who founded the Sayyid Dynasty?
A. Khizr Khan
B. Mubarak Shah
C. Alam Shah
D. Bahlul Lodi
Answer: A. Khizr Khan - Who founded the Lodi Dynasty?
A. Bahlul Lodi
B. Sikandar Lodi
C. Ibrahim Lodi
D. Babur
Answer: A. Bahlul Lodi - The Lodi Dynasty was the first ______ dynasty of Delhi.
A. Turkish
B. Afghan
C. Persian
D. Mongol
Answer: B. Afghan - Who founded Agra?
A. Bahlul Lodi
B. Sikandar Lodi
C. Ibrahim Lodi
D. Babur
Answer: B. Sikandar Lodi - Who was the last Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Sikandar Lodi
B. Ibrahim Lodi
C. Alam Shah
D. Bahlul Lodi
Answer: B. Ibrahim Lodi - The First Battle of Panipat was fought in:
A. 1192
B. 1398
C. 1526
D. 1556
Answer: C. 1526 - Who defeated Ibrahim Lodi?
A. Sher Shah Suri
B. Babur
C. Humayun
D. Akbar
Answer: B. Babur - Who began the construction of the Qutub Minar?
A. Qutbuddin Aibak
B. Iltutmish
C. Alauddin Khalji
D. Balban
Answer: A. Qutbuddin Aibak - Alai Darwaza was built during the reign of:
A. Iltutmish
B. Alauddin Khalji
C. Muhammad bin Tughlaq
D. Sikandar Lodi
Answer: B. Alauddin Khalji - Which Sultanate ruler was known by the name of “wisest fool”?
A. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
B. Md. Bin Tughlaq
C. Nasiruddin Shah Tughlaq
D. Firoz Shah Tughlaq
Answer: B. Md. Bin Tughlaq - Tabaqat-i-Nasiri was written by:
A. Minhaj-us-Siraj
B. Ibn Battuta
C. Amir Khusrau
D. Ziauddin Barani
Answer: A. Minhaj-us-Siraj - Which system assigned revenue from a territory to an official?
A. Mansabdari
B. Iqta
C. Ryotwari
D. Zamindari
Answer: B. Iqta - Which event ended the Delhi Sultanate?
A. Second Battle of Tarain
B. Timur’s invasion
C. First Battle of Panipat
D. Battle of Khanwa
Answer: C. First Battle of Panipat
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Q1) What is the History of the Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526)?
The History of the Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526) covers the rule of the Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodhi dynasties over Delhi and large parts of northern India.
Q2) How many dynasties ruled the Delhi Sultanate?
Five major dynasties ruled the Delhi Sultanate: Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodhi.
Q3) Who founded the Delhi Sultanate?
Qutbuddin Aibak founded independent Sultanate rule in 1206 and established the Slave Dynasty.
Q4) Who introduced market control reforms?
Alauddin Khilji introduced strict market control reforms to maintain a large army at controlled costs.
Q5) Who introduced token currency?
Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced token currency made mainly of copper and brass.
Q6) Who was the last ruler of the Delhi Sultanate?
Ibrahim Lodhi was the last ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.
Q7) Which battle ended the Delhi Sultanate?
The First Battle of Panipat in 1526 ended the Delhi Sultanate. Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodhi in this battle.
How To Prepare This Topic For SSC And Railway Exams
- Memorise the dynasty order: 1) Slave Dynasty 2)Khilji Dynasty 3) Tughlaq Dynasty 4) Sayyid Dynasty and 5) Lodhi Dynasty
- Learn ruler-reform pairs: Balban and blood and iron, Alauddin Khilji and market control, Muhammad bin Tughlaq and token currency, Firoz Shah Tughlaq and canals.
- Revise important terms such as tanka, jital, iqta, dagh and chehra.
- Attempt the MCQs without checking the answers.
- Revise this article before solving SSC and Railway previous-year questions.
Conclusion
The History of the Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526) is a high-value topic for SSC and Railway General Awareness preparation. Focus on the five dynasties, important rulers and MCQ’s which are asked frequently in the exams.
For maximum retention, revise the timeline first, learn the ruler-reform pairs and then practise the MCQs. Students can also connect this article with Daily Current Affairs and the SSC and Railway Exam Calendar 2026.