Explanation:

The Delhi Sultanate-Slave Dynasty

• Muizzuddin (Muhammad Ghur) was succeeded by Qutbuddin Aibak a Turkish slave in 1206. He had played an important part in the expansion of the Turkish Sultanate in India after the Battle of Tarain (1192 AD).
• The Slave Dynasty, also known as the Mamluk Dynasty, was the first Muslim dynasty to rule over the Delhi Sultanate in India.
• Qutbuddin Aibak is also known as Lakh Baksh.
• In 1210, Aibak died of injuries received in a fall from his horse while playing chaugan (polo).
• He was succeeded by Iltutmish who was the son-in-law of Aibak.
• Iltutmish must be regarded as the real consolidator of the Turkish conquests in north India.
• At first, even some of the fellow officers of Iltutmish near Delhi were reluctant to accept his authority. The Rajputs found an opportunity to assert their independence. The regions of Kalinjar, Gwaliyar, and eastern Rajasthan, which encompassed Ajmer and Bayana successfully liberated themselves from Turkish domination.
• The struggle between the monarchy and the Turkish chiefs continued, till one of the Turkish chiefs, Ulugh Khan, known in history by his later title of Balban.
• Balban organized a strong centralized army, both to deal with internal disturbances, and to repel the Mongols who had entrenched themselves in the Punjab and posed a serious danger to the Delhi Sultanate.
• Diwan-i-arz:
  • He reorganized the military department (diwan-i-arz) and pensioned off those soldiers and troopers who were no longer fit for service.
• Balban adopted a policy of ‘blood and iron’ to deal with Mewatis, Rajput zamindars and Dacoits of Ganga-Jamuna Doab and Awadh.
• In the Doab and in Katihar (modern Rohilkhand) Balban ordered forests to be cleared, rebellious villagers destroyed, and the men, women and children enslaved.
• By these harsh methods, Balban controlled the situation. In order to impress the people with the strength of his government and to awe them, Balban maintained a magnificent court.