Question

Explain the contribution of iltumish in giving shape to administrative institutions of the Delhi sultanate ​

Answer 1

Iltutmish was the real founder of Delhi sul­tanate. He made Delhi his capital instead of Lahore by defeating his two main rivals Nasiruddin Qabacha (Gov­ernor of Uch) and Tajuddin Yaldoz (Sultan of Gazni) by diplomatically declining the request of Jalaluddin Mangbarani (son of Khawarazm Shah), of a refuge, he saved India from the wrath of Chengez Khan’s army. He completed the construction of Qutub Minar which was started by Aibik. ADVERTISEMENTS:

He also introduced Silver Tanka (175 gms) and Copper jital coins, thus monetizing economy. Further, he got a letter of investiture from Caliph of Baghdad in 1229. Thus he became the first legal sover­eign and founder of the sultanate. In the field of educa­tion, he founded the Nasiriyya College in Delhi in the memoiy of his son Nasiruddin Mahmud.

He created Turkan-i-Chinalagani or Chalisa. This was the body of Shamsi nobles who assumed the role of king makers. Thus giving Delhi sultanate a strong administra­tion initially. It was the other matter that these nobles as­sumed the usurper role when the king became weak. He also introduced the Iqta system in India for the first time. An Iqta was a piece of land given to any sultanate official in lieu of services.

It was the revenue that was given and not the land itself. From the money generated from the land, he can keep one part for his own expenses and the other part for the maintenance of troops. He had to con­tinuously visit the royal darbar as a mark of honour and submission for the Emperor. By this arrangement, Iltutmish created a body of trusted slaves (Iqtadars were mostly slaves) who could be summoned at any time. All this led to the expansion and consolidation of Delhi sultanate.