Whenever you read about the Muslim rule in history, you will definitely read the name of Razia Sultana. Razia Sultana’s name is still taken with respect. Because Razia Sultana was the first and last Muslim woman ruler of Delhi. Who did many such works during her rule which benefited the common people. In this article you will know about the things related to Razia Sultana History. After reading this article, you will know about the courage and noble deeds of Razia Sultana.
Razia Sultana History
Razia was born in 1205 AD in the house of Delhi Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish. She was the only daughter of Shamsuddin Iltutmish. Razia’s birthplace was in Badaun city of present-day Uttar Pradesh state.
She was the eldest daughter of Shamsuddin Iltutmish. And it is also possible that Razia was the first child of Shamsuddin Iltutmish.
Shamsuddin Iltutmish was a slave who married Turkan Khatun, daughter of Qutubuddin Aibak. And Razia was the granddaughter of Qutubuddin Aibak. Qutubuddin Aibak founded the Delhi Sultanate and also started the Mamluk dynasty.
Shamsuddin Iltutmish may have come to Delhi as a slave. But Iltutmish impressed the Sultan of Delhi with his actions. Due to this, Iltutmish was appointed as the provincial governor.
Shamsuddin Iltutmish (a Turkic speaking slave) belonged to the Mamluk dynasty. He defeated Aram Shah and dethroned him from the throne of Delhi and himself became the Sultan of Delhi. Shamsuddin Iltutmish tried to give equal upbringing and good qualities to all his children (even Razia).
Apart from this, Iltutmish gave all his children good education along with training in archery, martial arts and governance.
Shamsuddin Iltutmish wanted his eldest son Nasiruddin Mahmud to be his successor. But his son died in 1229. After Nasiruddin’s death, Iltutmish handed over the rule of the Delhi Sultanate to his daughter Razia before going to Gwalior.
After Iltutmish went to Gwalior, Razia performed all her responsibilities well. When Iltutmish came to Delhi from Gwalior, he was very impressed by Razia’s rule.
And he decided to make Razia his successor. Iltutmish asked his chief courtiers to declare Razia as the legitimate heir to the Delhi Sultanate.
On this order of Iltutmish, many important people of Delhi Sultanate questioned him that how can he declare Razia as the successor of Delhi Sultanate when he has other sons. Iltutmish replied that Razia is more deserving to be the successor than his other sons.
When Iltutmish died on 30 April 1236, many Muslim courtiers refused to accept Razia as his rightful heir. They placed Razia’s brother Ruknuddin Firoz on the throne of Delhi.
In reality, Delhi was not ruled by Ruknuddin Firoz but by his mother Shah Turkan. Because Ruknuddin Firoz was not a capable ruler, he was unable to handle the burden of Delhi.
Razia and others supporting her attacked the palace and captured Shah Turkan. Finally, on 10 November 1236, Razia became the first Muslim woman ruler of Delhi and took over the reins of the entire kingdom.
Later when Razia became Sultana, she had Ruknuddin Firoz arrested and put in jail. Ruknuddin Firoz’s reign over Delhi lasted only for about 6 months.
With time, she kept conquering new areas and making her kingdom stronger. Razia Sultana did many great works during her reign. Due to which her subjects were very happy. She also built many schools, libraries and other institutions during her reign.
Razia was ruling her kingdom successfully and many people were happy and impressed with her ways of ruling. Due to this, she had many supporters and admirers.
After becoming Sultana, she stopped wearing her women’s clothes and started wearing men’s clothes. Razia Sultana then also issued coins in her name and declared herself the pillar of women.
Apart from this, she also started going among the common people of Delhi by riding on elephants like the male sultans. Razia’s growing influence and the appointment of non-Turks to important posts had angered the Turks holding other high positions in the Delhi Sultanate.
Many high-ranking Turks and other people who disliked Razia started plotting to remove her from the Delhi Sultanate. Razia did not even know that other people of the Delhi Sultanate were conspiring against her along with Altunia.
When Razia came to Delhi from Lahore on 3 April 1240, she learnt that Altunia had rebelled against her in Tabarhindah. When Razia learnt about this, she marched towards Tabarhindah.
But Razia’s visit there proved dangerous for her because the rebel army killed her loyalist Yaqut in Tabarhinda and captured Razia and imprisoned her.
When the news of Razia’s capture reached Delhi, the rebels there placed Iltutmish’s son Muizuddin Bahram on the throne of the Delhi Sultanate. After removing Razia from the throne, the people holding high positions in the palace divided the important offices of the Delhi Sultanate among themselves.
Altunia did not get any benefit from capturing Razia Sultana. Because he did not get what he thought after capturing Razia. So he decided to join hands with Razia.
Razia also agreed to this and she found this a good opportunity to regain her throne. Razia joined hands with Altunia and married him in 1240.
Razia and Altunia started forming their army to attack Delhi. The Sultan of Delhi Muizuddin Bahram marched with his army under his leadership to attack the army of Altunia and Razia.
And on 14 October 1240, Bahram defeated Altunia and Razia. After the defeat, both of them were forced to retreat. And Altunia and Razia’s soldiers also left them. On 15 October 1240, both of them were killed by a group of people.
Conclusion
Razia was the 5th Mamluk Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate. She was the only Muslim woman who sat on the throne of the Delhi Sultanate.
Her ascension to the throne of Delhi was not only special because she was a woman, but she also had immense support of the common people there and they also liked Razia.
According to Razia’s father Shamsuddin Iltutmish, out of all his children, only Razia was worthy of sitting on the throne. That is why he wanted to make Razia his successor.
Many Turks did not like Razia. And they conspired together against Razia. And Razia was removed from the throne of Delhi.
Even after being removed from the throne of Delhi, she never gave up and kept fighting for her rights till the end. After knowing the history of Razia Sultana, you too must have agreed that a courageous and intelligent Muslim woman like her could never become a Sultan again after her.
Read More: Maharana Pratap History
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Why is Razia called Sultana?
The word Sultana means Queen (wife of the Maharaja). However, the word Sultana used by some modern writers of today means female ruler. Which is a misconception. Because in reality the word Sultana means the wife of the king.
Where is the tomb of Razia Sultana?
The tomb of Razia Sultana is located in Mohalla Bulbuli Khana, near Turkman Gate in Old Delhi.
Who became the Sultan of Delhi after Razia Sultana?
After Razia Sultana’s defeat and removal from the throne of the Delhi Sultanate, her stepbrother Muizuddin Bahram became the sixth Sultan of Delhi.