Iltutmish had originally nominated his eldest son Nasiruddin Mahmud as his successor to the throne, but he died in 1229. In order to avoid civil war amongst his children, owing to indefinite laws of succession, he nominated his eldest daughter, Raziya, as heir apparent. During the Gwalior campaign of Iltutmish (1231-32) Raziya proved her ability as a good administrator and so Iltutmish made up his mind to nominate her as successor.
Following the death of Iltutmish, the Turkish nobles who were opposed to the nomination of Raizya ignored her claim to the throne and elected Ruknuddin as the next Sultan. The provincial governors and nobles supported Ruknuddin and his mother Shah Turkah interfered in the administration. The ‘Corps of Forty’ felt that the dynasty must be preserved and Ruknuddin deposed. The Vazir, along with the governors of Multan, Jansi and Badaun, joined forces and marched towards the capital. Ruknuddin’s forces deserted him and a bloodless revolution took place.
During the Friday namaz, when people had gathered, Raziya appeared before them and appealed to them to exercise their right of choosing the sovereign. The assembled people were moved by Raziya’s speech, they attacked the palace, imprisoned Shah Turkah and crowned Raziya. Ruknuddin was arrested and he died in prison.
Her difficulties: Soon after her accession, Raziya found herself confronted with many difficulties. She had the support of a few rebel military leaders and the common citizens of Delhi. The Vazir and the provincial governors were keen to replace Ruknuddin by a person of their choice, whom they could control and influence. To the orthodox, the new ruler was unacceptable, simply because she was a woman. The other sons of Iltutmish and their supporters did not accept Raziya.
Consolidation of Power: Raziya took advantage of the mutual rivalries of the provincial governors and spread rumors that a number of rebel chiefs had joined her and had promised to bring the others to her. This caused mistrust and infighting among the rebels, so that they withdrew from the capital for their own safety. Thus, Raziya used a clever strategy and avoided war against the rebels. The provincial governors submitted to her.
Raziya was an extraordinary woman of rare genius. Once on the throne, she became unorthodox. She cast off her veil and female garments, dressed like a man and took up the reins of the government, with a firm hand. She took command of the army and even fought in battle.
During her reign, Raziya adopted the policy of appointing non-Turkish nobles to higher posts. A number of Indian Muslims were appointed as Qazis. An Abyssinian named Jamaluddin Yakut was appointed as master of the horse. Raziya also organized an offensive against the Rajput Ranthambore and captured the fort.
The Downfall of Raziya: By consolidating her position against the influential Turkish nobles, Raziya drove them to a group which conspired against her. The display of courage and authority by a woman ruler roused the anger of the nobles, who also resented the undue favors she bestowed on the non-Turkish nobles, especially the Abyssinian officer Yakut. Besides, there were a section of people who could never tolerate the notion of a woman being the head of the state. Raziya had given offence to the orthodox Muslim opinion by casting off female attire and the seclusion of the harem.
These factors led to a conspiracy against Raziya. The leader of this conspiracy was Aeitigin. The others were the Governor of Bhatinda, I.e., Malik Altunia and the Governor of Lahore, Kabir Khan. Kabir Khan revolted against Raziya in 1240, but was suppressed by her. Within a fortnight, Altunia revolted. Raziya marched against the rebel and reached Bhatinda. In the meanwhile, Aeitigin, captured Yakut and put him to death. Raziya was imprisoned at Bhatinda. The third son of Iltutmish Bahram was made the new ruler. Altunia did not get what he had expected from the revolt and so wanted to march on to Delhi to capture it by force. In August 1240, Altunia released Raziya from prison, married her and proceeded in disguise to Delhi to capture it. But they were defeated by Bahram’s army and both Altunia and Raziya were killed.
An Estimate of Raziya: Raziya occupies a remarkable place among the Turkish rulers in India. She was the only Muslim woman who adorned the throne of Delhi and was respected and feared by her courtiers. She was a brave and energetic ruler who restored the prestige of the Turkish kingdom in India. She curbed the power of the Amirs and nobles and became an absolute ruler whose authority was supreme.
Like her father Iltutmish, Raziya was determined to assert her authority and establish an independent and absolute monarchy. Besides suppressing the Turkish nobles, who challenged her authority, Raziya governed the Sultanate in a befitting manner. Bold and courageous, she gave up her veil (purdah), held open court, listened to the grievances of her subjects and exercised general supervision over the administrative departments. In battles, Raziya rode at the head of her armies. Thus, Raziya proved her ability, love of justice and capacity for hard work.
Referring to Raziya, the contemporary historian, Minhaj-us-Siraj says that Raziya was a great sovereign and sagacious just, beneficent, a patron of the learned, a dispenser of justice, the cherisher of her subjects and of warlike talent and endowed with all admirable attributes and qualifications necessary for kings. But he concluded with the lamentation that these excellent qualifications could not be of any advantage to her, as she was a woman.
After Raziya: After the death of Raziya, the lack of a capable leader was keenly felt. During the following six years, three weaklings, Muizuddin, Behramshah and Alauddin Masudshah, sat on the throne in quick succession to be deposed and killed by the powerful nobles of the court.
Nasiruddin Mahmud, a young son of Iltutmish who was crowned in 1246 A.D. was a pious person with little aptitude for administration. He left the matters of the state in the hands of his able minister Ghiyasuddin Balban. Balban was the leader of the Turkish slaves cum nobles known as the ‘corps of forty’. These nobles divided the fiefs among themselves and occupied the highest offices in the state. Iltutmish had kept them in check but they had begun to reassert their authority after his death.
There was internal disorder – the governor of Bengal, Tughril Khan had become independent, the Hindus of the Doab rebelled and there was the danger of Mongol invasion. Ghiyasuddin Balban as the chief man under the king showed remarkable ability in these circumstances. The rebellion of Doab was suppressed. The Mongol attacks were repulsed. The frontier military posts were strongly garrisoned and the ambitions of the other Turkish nobles were curbed by Balban. When Nasiruddin died in 1266, the choice for the throne was obvious. It could be no one else but Balban.
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