Also see The construction of Taj Mahal
Medieval: 1206-1232 AD: The Slave Dynasty
| 1194 |
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Battle of Chandwar |
| 1197-1247 |
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Singhana the Great, Yadava King |
| 1206 |
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Accession of Qutabuddin in India |
| 1210 |
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Death of Qutabuddin |
| 1210-1211 |
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Accession of Iltutmish |
| 1221 |
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Invasion of Mongals under Chengiz Khan |
| 1231-1232 |
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Foundation of the Qutab Minar |
Succession of Muhammad of Gaur
1206: Muhammad of Gaur was murdered on his way to Ghazani on 15 March, 1206. He had no heir to succeed and so his provincial viceroys established their own authority in their respective jurisdiction. Tajuddin Yildiz took over the throne of Ghazani and Qutabuddin Aiabak assumed the title of Sultan. Tajuddin had been defeated by Qutabuddin, who then then took over Ghazani. But in just 45 days, the people of Ghazani got fed up of him and Tajjudin was called back for their rescue. Qutabuddin returned back to India and became a purely Indian Sultan.
The reign of Qutabuddin
Having excellence in martial arts, Qutabuddin never lost any battle and brought large part of India under Islam. Wherever necessary, he took stern measures for administration. Being a great devotee of Islam, he built two mosques one in Deli and other is Ajmer. His rule lasted 4 years until his untimely death. He was succeeded by Aram Bakhsh.
Foundation of the Qutab Minar
Aram Bakhsh was been defeated very soon by Iltutmish, Governor of Badaun, who then took over the title of Sultan. The reward of his strength and intelligence was a robe of honour from Al Mustansir Billah, the reigning Khalifah of Baghdad. He got confirmation of possession of all the lands and sea which he conquered.
The great monument of Qutab Minar got completed by the Sultan in 1231-1232 AD. However the work on Minar was started by Qutabuddin in 1199, celebrating the advent of Muslim dominance in Delhi. To Qutabuddin, the tower marked the eastern extremity of the Islamic faith, casting the shadow of God over east and west. The Minar rises over 230 feet and can be ascended by a circular stairway. The monument tapers from a 15-meter diameter base to just 2 1/2 meters at the top.
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On the Eve of the Muslim invasions into India, northern India was
ruled by a number of Rajput states, each family having the same
origins, but divided. Among the prominent rulers were the Chandelas of
Bundelkhand, Gahadavals of Kanauj, the Chauhans of Ajmer and the
Paramasas of Malwa. Rajput society was extremely feudal and
ritualistic. Family, land and honour were of paramount importance.
- Muhammad of Ghazni invaded India a record 17 times, beginning from
1000 AD. The Ghaznavids had been governors of the Samanid rulers of
Transoxiana, Central Asia, until Muhammad's grandfather founded the
Ghaznavid dynasty.
- The great Qutab-Minar monument in Delhi was commissioned by
Qutabuddin Aibak (1206-1210) and finished by Iltutmish
(1210-1236). According to legend, a person whose arms can curve
completely around its iron pillar will be granted any wish.
- Muhammad of Ghazni was surrounded by highly cultured men including
the poet Firdausi, Al Beruni and the famous historian Utbi.
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- A golden statue of the temple of Somnath was permanently suspended
in mid-air and considered a miracle by devout Hindus. When Muhammad
of Ghazni invaded Somnath, smashing the temple roof, the statue fell
-- its miraculous suspension had been due to cleverly engineered
magnetic energy.
- Mystery surrounds the fate of the Rajput prince Prithviraj Chauhan
after his defeat by Muhammad of Gaur in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192 AD). The most
famous legend is that Prithviraj's horse somehow rescued his
wounded master, carrying him away to safety.
- The Delhi Sultanate ruled by the kings after Muhammad of Gaur upto
1296 has been called the "Slave Dynasty" as many rulers were former
slaves. But having freed themselves to rule independently, this term
is historically incorrect.
- Muhammad of Ghazni's invasions were spurred on by his intention
to spread Islam and the unlimited wealth of the temples of Somnath and
Mathura. His kingdom stretched from Iraq and the Caspian Sea to the
Ganga river.
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It was out of the gratitude that Iltutmish caused the names of his
patrons, Sultan Qutabuddin and Sultan Muizuddin, to be inscribed on
it. A magnificent mosque was also built by the Sultan's orders. He
was intensely religious and very particular about saying his prayers.
He is described in some contemporary inscriptions as "the protector
of the lands of God" and "the helper of the servants of God".
- An Advanced History of India
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Courtesy --- KIRANMAYI
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