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Delhi Sultanate Rulers List includes five dynasties: Mamluk, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi, ruling from 1206 to 1526 CE. The first ruler was Qutb-ud-din Aibak, and the last was Ibrahim Lodi. The Delhi Sultanate Rulers List shows Delhi’s rich political and cultural history.
Delhi Sultanate was a big kingdom that ruled over a large part of India for many years., They ruled from 1206 to 1526. The rulers of this kingdom were called Sultans, and they made Delhi as their capital city.
The Delhi Sultanate was not ruled by only one family. But, it was ruled by five different dynasties: that was Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty, the Khilji Dynasty, the Tughlaq Dynasty, the Sayyid Dynasty, and the Lodi Dynasty.
Each dynasty had its own rulers, who built forts, mosques, and palaces, and made many changes in how the kingdom was run. These rulers helped shape India’s early history and made Delhi as an important city, which was filled with culture and power.
The Delhi Sultanate was a series of Muslim dynasties that ruled a large part of northern India from 1206 CE to 1526 CE. This period saw the growth of trade, administration, and culture in Delhi and nearby regions.
| Delhi Sultanate Overview | |
| Feature | Details |
| Period | 1206 CE – 1526 CE |
| Capital | Delhi |
| Religion | Islam |
| Founder | Qutb-ud-din Aibak |
| Last Ruler | Ibrahim Lodi |
| Total Dynasties | Five |
| Major Contribution | Expansion of architecture, administration, and trade |
From 1206 to 1526, the Delhi Sultanate was a powerful kingdom that ruled over many parts of India. It got its name from Delhi, which was the main city where the rulers lived and managed their empire.
Historians say that the Delhi Sultanate had five main dynasties, or families of rulers:
Most of these rulers came from places like Turkey and Afghanistan. Over time, they built Delhi into a rich and beautiful city filled with strong forts, grand buildings, and busy markets. They also introduced new ideas in government, art, and trade that changed India’s history.
The founder of the Delhi Sultanate was Qutb-ud-din Aibak. He was originally a slave who served under Muhammad Ghori. After Ghori’s death, he became the independent ruler of Delhi in 1206 CE and started the Slave Dynasty.
Qutb-ud-din Aibak is often remembered for starting the construction of the Qutub Minar. His rule began a new era in Indian history. The Delhi Sultanate Rulers List begins with his name.
The Delhi Sultanate Rulers List is divided into five dynasties: Mamluk (Slave), Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi. Each dynasty brought its own rules, systems, and developments to the region.
The Mamluk Dynasty was the first in the Delhi Sultanate Rulers List. It was formed by rulers who were once slaves but rose to power through loyalty and skill.
| Mumluk Dynasty | ||
| S.No | Ruler | Reign Period |
| 1 | Qutb-ud-din Aibak | 1206–1210 |
| 2 | Aram Shah | 1210–1211 |
| 3 | Iltutmish | 1211–1236 |
| 4 | Rukn-ud-din Firuz | 1236 |
| 5 | Razia Sultana | 1236–1240 |
| 6 | Muiz-ud-din Bahram | 1240–1242 |
| 7 | Ala-ud-din Masud | 1242–1246 |
| 8 | Nasir-ud-din Mahmud | 1246–1266 |
| 9 | Ghiyas-ud-din Balban | 1266–1287 |
| 10 | Muiz-ud-din Qaiqabad | 1287–1290 |
| 11 | Shams-ud-din Kayumars | 1290 |
The Khilji rulers came after the Mamluks and focused on strengthening Delhi’s control over India.
| Khilji Dynasty | ||
| S.No | Ruler | Reign Period |
| 1 | Jalal-ud-din Khilji | 1290–1296 |
| 2 | Ala-ud-din Khilji | 1296–1316 |
| 3 | Shihab-ud-din Omar | 1316 |
| 4 | Qutb-ud-din Mubarak Shah | 1316–1320 |
| 5 | Nasir-ud-din Khusrau Khan | 1320 |
The Tughlaqs ruled for almost a century and brought new administrative reforms.
| Tughlaq Dynasty | ||
| S.No | Ruler | Reign Period |
| 1 | Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq | 1320–1325 |
| 2 | Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq | 1325–1351 |
| 3 | Firoz Shah Tughlaq | 1351–1388 |
| 4 | Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq II | 1388–1389 |
| 5 | Abu Bakr Shah | 1389–1390 |
| 6 | Nasir-ud-din Muhammad Shah | 1390–1394 |
| 7 | Ala-ud-din Sikandar Shah | 1394 |
| 8 | Nasir-ud-din Mahmud Shah II | 1394–1413 |
The Sayyid rulers ruled for a short time but tried to maintain peace in Delhi after the fall of the Tughlaqs.
| Sayyid Dynasty | ||
| S.No | Ruler | Reign Period |
| 1 | Khizr Khan | 1414–1421 |
| 2 | Mubarak Shah | 1421–1434 |
| 3 | Muhammad Shah | 1434–1445 |
| 4 | Alam Shah | 1445–1451 |
The Lodi Dynasty was the final ruling family in the Delhi Sultanate Rulers List. They were Afghan rulers who brought stability before the Mughal Empire started.
| Lodi Dynasty | ||
| S.No | Ruler | Reign Period |
| 1 | Bahlul Lodi | 1451–1489 |
| 2 | Sikandar Lodi | 1489–1517 |
| 3 | Ibrahim Lodi | 1517–1526 |
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Delhi Sultanate Rulers Density Wise classification shows the rule of each dynasty according to their period and the number of rulers.
| Delhi Sultanate Timeline | ||
| Dynasty | Approx. Duration | Number of Rulers |
| Slave Dynasty | 84 years | 11 rulers |
| Khilji Dynasty | 30 years | 5 rulers |
| Tughlaq Dynasty | 94 years | 8 rulers |
| Sayyid Dynasty | 37 years | 4 rulers |
| Lodi Dynasty | 75 years | 3 rulers |
First ruler of Delhi Sultanate was Qutb-ud-din Aibak. He began his rule in 1206 CE and laid the foundation of the Slave dynasty. Qutb-ud-din Aibak was known for his courage and leadership. He started several architectural works, including the Qutub Minar and Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque.
The Delhi Sultanate Rulers List starts with his name because he was the founder who shaped the early structure of the Sultanate. The first ruler of Delhi Sultanate created the base for future dynasties.
The last Delhi Sultanate ruler was Ibrahim Lodi. He ruled from 1517 to 1526 CE. His reign ended with the First Battle of Panipat, where he was defeated by Babur. This marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India.
The Delhi Sultanate Rulers List ends with his name. The last Delhi Sultanate ruler tried to maintain control over a vast empire but faced internal conflicts and external challenges. His fall marked the end of the medieval Delhi Sultanate rule.
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There were five dynasties in the Delhi Sultanate. They were the Mamluk, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi dynasties.
The Delhi Sultanate lasted from 1206 CE to 1526 CE. It ruled India for about 320 years.
The rulers were called Sultans. They belonged to five dynasties that ruled one after another.
The first ruler was Qutb-ud-din Aibak. The last ruler was Ibrahim Lodi.
The Mamluk dynasty had many rulers in a short time. The Sayyid dynasty had fewer rulers and ruled for a shorter period.
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