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UPSC MainsHISTORY-PAPER-I202210 Marks150 Words
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Q12.

Much of the political instability after the death of Iltutmish was the doing of the Chahalgan. Elucidate.

How to Approach

This question requires a focused analysis of the political dynamics within the Delhi Sultanate following Iltutmish’s death in 1236. The answer should center on the ‘Chahalgan’ – the group of forty elite slaves (Turkan-i-Chihalgani) – and demonstrate how their power struggles and factionalism contributed to instability. Structure the answer by first defining the Chahalgan, then detailing their actions post-Iltutmish, and finally, explaining how these actions led to political turmoil. Mention specific rulers and events to support the argument.

Model Answer

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Introduction

The Delhi Sultanate, established in 1206, faced periods of consolidation and conflict. The death of Iltutmish in 1236 triggered a prolonged period of political instability, largely due to the ambitions and rivalries of the ‘Chahalgan’ – a powerful group of forty Turkish slaves personally chosen by Iltutmish. These nobles, though initially intended to strengthen the Sultanate, quickly became kingmakers and kingbreakers, manipulating succession and engaging in internecine warfare. Their actions directly undermined the authority of the succeeding rulers and plunged the Sultanate into a period of chaos and weak governance.

The Chahalgan: Origins and Power

The Chahalgan, meaning ‘the Forty’, were a select group of Turkish slaves (ghulams) who held high positions in Iltutmish’s army and administration. Iltutmish deliberately fostered this group to counter the influence of the old Turkish nobles who had arrived with Qutb-ud-din Aibak and Muhammad Ghori. This created a new power base loyal to the Sultan himself. However, this loyalty didn’t extend to his successors.

Post-Iltutmish Instability: The Role of the Chahalgan

Following Iltutmish’s death, his son Rukn-ud-din Firoz Shah ascended the throne. However, Firoz was a pleasure-seeking ruler and quickly fell under the influence of his mother, Shah Turkan Khatun. The Chahalgan, led by Qutb-ud-din Hasan, saw an opportunity to control the Sultanate through Firoz. They actively supported Shah Turkan’s regency, but their internal rivalries soon surfaced.

The Reign of Rukn-ud-din Firoz (1236-1240)

  • Power Struggle: The Chahalgan were divided into factions, primarily between those supporting Qutb-ud-din Hasan and those backing Izz-ud-din Balban.
  • Political Manipulation: Qutb-ud-din Hasan orchestrated the assassination of Firoz’s brother, Radiya-ud-din, to eliminate a potential rival.
  • Public Discontent: The Chahalgan’s interference in governance and their oppressive policies led to widespread discontent, culminating in a revolt led by the Mongol general Taju-ud-din.

The Rise and Fall of Bahram Shah (1240-1242)

The Mongol revolt led to the deposition of Rukn-ud-din Firoz and the installation of Bahram Shah, a grandson of Iltutmish. However, Bahram Shah proved to be a weak ruler, and the Chahalgan continued to dominate the political scene. Qutb-ud-din Hasan continued to wield significant power, but his authority was challenged by Izz-ud-din Balban.

Balban’s Consolidation of Power (1242-1287)

Izz-ud-din Balban eventually overthrew and executed Qutb-ud-din Hasan, effectively ending the Chahalgan’s dominance. However, the years of instability caused by their actions had severely weakened the Sultanate. Balban then systematically dismantled the Chahalgan, replacing them with a new nobility loyal to him. He implemented policies aimed at strengthening the monarchy and curbing the power of the nobility, but the damage done during the preceding decades was substantial.

Impact of Chahalgan’s Actions

The Chahalgan’s actions directly contributed to:

  • Weakened Central Authority: Constant power struggles undermined the Sultan’s authority.
  • Political Fragmentation: The Sultanate was plagued by internal conflicts and rebellions.
  • Administrative Chaos: The focus on personal power struggles diverted attention from effective governance.
  • Vulnerability to External Threats: The internal instability made the Sultanate more vulnerable to Mongol invasions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the political instability following Iltutmish’s death was undeniably exacerbated by the actions of the Chahalgan. Their ambition, factionalism, and interference in succession politics created a power vacuum and a climate of constant conflict. While Iltutmish intended the Chahalgan to be a stabilizing force, their pursuit of self-interest ultimately undermined the Sultanate’s authority and paved the way for a period of significant turmoil, only resolved by the firm hand of Izz-ud-din Balban.

Answer Length

This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.

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Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Ghulam
A Turkish slave soldier, often highly trained and loyal to the Sultan. They formed the backbone of the Delhi Sultanate’s army and administration.
Turkan-i-Chihalgani
Literally "The Forty," this refers to the elite group of forty Turkish slaves personally selected by Iltutmish, forming a powerful and influential nobility within the Delhi Sultanate.

Key Statistics

The Delhi Sultanate faced approximately 12 major Mongol invasions between 1221 and 1300 (as per historical records available until 2023).

Source: Habib, Muhammad & K.A. Nizami. *A Comprehensive History of India, Vol. V*. People’s Publishing House, 1982.

Historians estimate that the Delhi Sultanate experienced at least five changes in rulers within a span of 20 years (1236-1256) following Iltutmish’s death, largely due to the Chahalgan’s machinations (based on historical analysis as of 2023).

Source: Richard Eaton, *The Rise of Islam and the Bengal Frontier, 1204-1760*. University of California Press, 1994.

Examples

Radiya-ud-din’s Assassination

The assassination of Radiya-ud-din, Iltutmish’s son, by Qutb-ud-din Hasan of the Chahalgan exemplifies the ruthless ambition and political maneuvering that characterized the period following Iltutmish’s death.

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Why did Iltutmish create the Chahalgan?

Iltutmish created the Chahalgan to counter the influence of the older Turkish nobles who had accompanied earlier conquerors and to establish a power base directly loyal to him, ensuring greater control over the Sultanate.

Topics Covered

Delhi SultanatePolitical HistoryNobilityFactionalismSuccession disputesPolitical power
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