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Qutubuddin Aibak, also spelled as Qutub-ud-din Aibak was the first sultan of the Delhi Sultanate. He was born in Central Asia and belonged to a Turkish family. He was later sold to a local Qazi as a slave and raised in Persia. During this period of his life, he also became a slave of Muhammad of Ghor, also known as Muhammad Ghori. Over the years, he was put in charge of his stables. But how did he make his way to the throne? How did it all happen? Let us explore answers to these questions together.
Table of Contents
How did Qutubuddin Aibak Ascend to the Throne?
- Although Aibak was initially looking after Muhammad Ghori’s stables, he was eventually recruited into his military forces.
- He married the daughter of Taj al-Din Yildiz of Ghazana which not only raised his rank and esteem in the society but also made him a strong candidate for the throne.
- Ghori conquered the throne of Delhi in 1193 and subsequently returned to Khorasan. He left his Indian conquests in the hands of Aibak.
- While Muhammad Ghori went endlessly annexing the region between Ganga and Yamuna, Bakhtiyar Khilji took over the regions of Bihar and Bengal.
- On the other hand, Aibak fought against the Rajput rulers who were standing study against Muslim invasions.
- Upon the unfortunate assassination of Muhammad Ghori in 1206, Qutub-ud-din Aibak became the de factor ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.
- He was crowned in Lahore, Pakistan.
- During his rule, Qutubuddin Aibak founded the Slave Dynasty and built a large number of mosques in Delhi.
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What were the Achievements of Qutubuddin Aibak?
- Qutub-ud-din helped Muhammad Ghori in conquering the regions of Northern India. This helped the ruler in expanding the horizons.
- After successfully achieving victory in the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192, Qutubuddin AIbak was given the title of commander.
- To win Turkish nobles, he married his sister to Qabacha and his daughter to Iltumish.
- It was upon his persuasion that Ali Mardan was appointed as the governor of Bengal.
- Among other achievement, he is most remembered for laying the foundations of Qutub Minar in Delhi. However, it should be noted that the construction was completed by Sham ud-Din Iltutmish.
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- Additionally, he also built the Adhai din Jhonpra mosque in Ajmer, Rajasthan.
Death of Qutubuddin Aibak
- Qutubuddin Aibak died in 1210 in a polo accident when he was about the age of 60.
- He got hurt after falling from his horse and his tomb is located in Lahore.
- Upon his unfortunate death, he was succeeded by his son Aram Shah who could only rule for a short period of 8 months.
- Aram Shah was later replaced by Iltumish, Aibak’s son-in-law.
FAQs
Qutub-ud-din Aibak was the first Muslim Sultanate ruler in northern India. He is recognized for establishing the Slave Dynasty, also known as the Mamluk Dynasty. Apart from this, Qutubuddin Aibak destroyed and plundered numerous Hindu temples.
Qutub-ud-din Aibak died in an accident while playing polo in 1210. He fell from his horse and got severely injured.
Qutubuddin was 60 years years old when he died.
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