History · Medieval history

Delhi Sultanate

The five dynasties that ruled from Delhi between 1206 and 1526, with their key rulers.

Exam facts

• Period1206–1526
• Dynasties in orderSlave (Mamluk), Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi
• FounderQutbuddin Aibak
• Only woman rulerRazia Sultan
• Ended byBabur's victory over Ibrahim Lodi, First Battle of Panipat (1526)

Slave (Mamluk) dynasty · 1206–1290

1. Qutbuddin Aibak1206–1210Founder; began the Qutub Minar; died playing polo (chaugan)
2. Iltutmish1211–1236Real consolidator; introduced the silver tanka and copper jital; Iqta system; Turkan-i-Chahalgani (Group of Forty)
3. Razia Sultan1236–1240First and only woman ruler of the Delhi Sultanate
4. Ghiyasuddin Balban1266–1287Theory of kingship; sijda and paibos; ended the Group of Forty

Khalji dynasty · 1290–1320

1. Jalaluddin Khalji1290–1296Founder
2. Alauddin Khalji1296–1316Market reforms and price control; branding of horses (dagh); built Alai Darwaza and Siri Fort

Tughlaq dynasty · 1320–1414

1. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq1320–1325Founder; built Tughlaqabad
2. Muhammad bin Tughlaq1325–1351Moved capital to Daulatabad; token (copper) currency; Ibn Battuta visited
3. Firoz Shah Tughlaq1351–1388Canals; built Firozabad; imposed jizya on Brahmins

Sayyid dynasty · 1414–1451

1. Khizr Khan1414–1421Founder

Lodi dynasty · 1451–1526

1. Bahlul Lodi1451–1489Founder; first Afghan dynasty of Delhi
2. Sikandar Lodi1489–1517Founded Agra (1504); Gaz-i-Sikandari measure
3. Ibrahim Lodi1517–1526Defeated and killed by Babur at the First Battle of Panipat (1526)