Multi - Ethnic Ruling Class of Delhi Sultanate. (1290-1388)

Aashiq Ahmad Bhat

Turkish, Non-Turkish, Khaljis, Indian Muslims, Afghans, Sufi Disciples, Poets.

The present paper is an attempt to analyze the composite ruling class as the last decade of the 13th century witnessed an important political change which overthrew the Turkish ascendancy and the Kingship went to non-Turks Khaljis, which had direct impact on the composition on the ruling class that was drawn from different social groups who belonged to non-Turkish races. The paper also highlights the various ethnic groups like Indian elements both Muslims as well as non -Muslims, Foreigners, Afghans and Mongols. The present work also discusses the key posts held by them. With the establishment of Delhi sultanate in India during the early period of 13th century, nobles occupied an important position in the political setup. Most of the Maliks and Amirs of this period were of Turkish origin and belonged to different tribes like Khita, Qara Khita, Qipchap, Gargit etc. and majority of them belonged to the category of slaves. However, on the basis of information provided by Minhaj Siraj we found some names like Izzuddin Salari, Alauddin Jani, Saifuddin Kuchi and Nizam ul Mulk Junaidi, the wazir of Sultan Iltutmish, who belonged to Tazik stock. Later on, they were massacred by Turkish Amirs of Sultan’s slaves. During the reign of Raziya, she got due promotion to non- Turkish nobles like Jamal ud din Yaqut, the Abyssinian (Habashi) who was promoted to the post of Amir-i-Akhur (Master of Horses), however, it was resented by all Maliks and Amirs of Ghorian and Tajik nobles. Balban’s attitude towards Turkish nobles is well to be repeated here. Despite some elements of non-Turkish races in nobility, however, the nobility was considered as the preserve of certain strata of Turkish slaves, Ghorian and Khalji elements. The last decade of the 13th century of Delhi Sultanate witnessed new political developments which affected politics, ideas, economy, etc. The passing of Sultanate throne from Turks to non -Turks was itself a drastic change which has been termed as Khalji revolution. The rise of Khalji’s to power in 1290 brought important changes in the political structure of the Delhi Sultanate which had its explicit impact on the composition of the ruling elite of the state. They sought the support of non-Turkish nobles as well as Indians to occupy the throne. The new establishment of Khalji’s were supposed to derive them from those classes who could not be hostile to them of being as superior class on the lineage ground, hence it was an deliberate attempt not to give precedence to lineage, meanwhile the Khaljis had not any aristocratic background and did not made it any criteria for the running of the system. When Ala ud din came to power in 1296, he seems to be have taken much pragmatic approach for the formation of the ruling class by broadening their social base and gave due share to different non-Turkish sections of the society viz, Afghans, non-Muslims and neo-Muslims.

Volume 8 Issue 8, August-2023

Pages : 251 - 255