Razia Sultan was the first Muslim woman ruler of India. She ruled the Delhi Sultanate for the slave dynasty from 1236 AD to 1240 AD. Razia Sultan's father Iltutmish had declared her as his successor before his death. However, after the death of Iltutmish, her stepmother Shah Turkan, with the support of the Turkic nobles, placed her son Rukunuddin Firoz Shah on the throne of the Delhi Sultanate. He was an incompetent ruler. Razia, acting diplomatically, divided some of the Turkic nobles and made some in her favor. She also had the support of the people of Delhi. The people of Delhi revolted against Firoz Shah. After the assassination of Ruknuddin Firoz Shah and stepmother Shah Turkan on 9 November 1236 by the people of Delhi, Razia Sultan captured the throne of Delhi Sultanate. Thus Rukunuddin Firoz Shah was sitting on the throne of Delhi only for a few months.
Razia Sultan
Early Life of Razia Sultan
Razia Sultan was born in 1205 AD in Badaun at that time her father Iltutmish was the Governor of Budaun under the Delhi Empire. Razia's full name was Razia-al-Din. His mother's name was Qutub Begum. Shah Turkan was Razia's stepmother and Iltutmish's second wife. Razia Sultan was educated like a prince from the beginning. Iltutmish taught martial arts to the three princes as well as his daughter Razia. She proved to be more efficient than her brothers in maneuvers. Seeing this his father Iltutmish was very proud and encouraged him more.
Capture of Delhi throne
After the death of Rukunuddin Firoz Shah, Razia Sultan assumed the throne of Delhi Sultanate. She was the first female ruler of the Slave Dynasty and Delhi Sultanate. The throne of Delhi was full of thorns for her. She was surrounded by rebels and conspirators from all sides throughout her reign. Although she had public support, the Turkic nobles (members of the Chalisa) were opposing her authority. Among these Turkic nobles were the governors of Badaun, Hansi, Multan and Lahore. The chief among these Turkic nobles were Malik Allauddin Jani, Kabir Ayaz Khan, Malik Ijuddin Salari, Malik Saifuddin Kuchi and minister of Iltutmish's reign Nizamulmulk Muhammad Junaidi. She renounced the Veil and put on men's costumes Kuba and Kulah (kurta and turban). She appointed Ikhtiyaruddin Altagin as 'Amir-i-Hajib', Jamaluddin Yakut (Abyssinian Hajib) as 'Amir-i-Akhur (head of the horse house)' and Malik Hasan Ghori as the chief general.
She also appointed Ikhtiyaruddin Altagin as Iqtadar of Badaun. Besides she appointed Altunia as Iqtadar of Tarbhind (Bathinda). Gradually these Turkic nobles under the leadership of Ikhtiyaruddin Altagin started conspiring against Razia Sultan. Altunia and Ayaz Khan revolted at the behest of Altagin. The first rebellion against Razia Sultan was done in 1239 AD by Ayaz Khan, the governor of Lahore. Razia Sultan easily suppressed the rebellion. After the suppression of Ayaz Khan, the governor of Tarbhind (Bathinda) Altunia revolted in 1240 AD. When Razia Sultan marched towards Bathinda against Altunia, Ikhtiyaruddin Altgin and the Turkic nobles got Jamaluddin Yakut killed under the earlier plan and Iltutmish's third son (Razia's younger brother) Muizzuddin Bahram Shah was given the throne of Delhi. Jamaluddin Yakut was a non-Turk who was a complete confidant of Razia Sultan. Jamaluddin Yakut and Razia were in love with each other.
Razia Sultan assassinated
Altunia imprisoned Razia Sultan and put her in Bathinda jail. When Razia Sultan came to know about occupancy of Bahram Shah over Delhi and the murder of Jamaluddin Yakut, she cleverly married Altunia and got it in his favor. Bahram Shah was a cruel ruler. Although he had become the ruler of Delhi, he was a puppet of the Altgin and Turkic nobles. Angered by the arbitrariness of Eltagin, Bahram Shah got Eltagin killed. Here Razia travels with her husband Altunia to attack Delhi. In this battle, Razia is defeated at the hands of Sultan Bahram Shah. It is believed that Razia and Altunia were killed by bandits on October 14, 1240 AD near Kaithal on their way back after their defeat.
Evaluation of Razia Sultan
Historians believe the reason for the failure of Razia Sultan, the ambition of the Turkic nobles and Razia Sultan to be a woman. She was a capable ruler but her being a woman became a curse for her. Minhajuddin Siraj has written in his book that Razia had all the qualities of being a Sultan but being a woman all these qualities were in vain. She contained the title Umdat-ul-Niswan on his coins. She appointed Balban to the post of Amir-i-Shikar in 1238 AD. Malik Hasan Karlug, the governor of the Shah of Khwarism, sought assistance from Razia against the Mongols. On this, Razia did not give him any military support but promised to give financial support by giving full income of Baran (Bulandshahr).
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