Delhi Sultanate Ruler List: History, Dynasties, Rulers List, Key Facts

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. 

Delhi Sultanate Overview

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

Delhi Sultanate History

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:

  • Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty (1206–1290)
  • Khilji Dynasty (1290–1320)
  • Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1413)
  • Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451)
  • Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526)

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.

Delhi Sultanate Founder

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.

Delhi Sultanate Rulers List

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.

1. Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty (1206–1290)

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

2. Khilji Dynasty (1290–1320)

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

3. Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414)

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

4. Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451)

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

5. Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526)

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 Timeline Dynasty-wise

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

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.

Last Delhi Sultanate Ruler

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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Frequently Asked Questions

How many dynasties were there in the Delhi Sultanate?

There were five dynasties in the Delhi Sultanate. They were the Mamluk, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi dynasties.

What is the Delhi Sultanate timeline?

The Delhi Sultanate lasted from 1206 CE to 1526 CE. It ruled India for about 320 years.

Who were the rulers of the Delhi Sultanate?

The rulers were called Sultans. They belonged to five dynasties that ruled one after another.

What is the Delhi Sultanate rulers list in order?

The first ruler was Qutb-ud-din Aibak. The last ruler was Ibrahim Lodi.

How are the Delhi Sultanate rulers, density wise?

The Mamluk dynasty had many rulers in a short time. The Sayyid dynasty had fewer rulers and ruled for a shorter period.

Delhi Sultanate Ruler List: History, Dynasties, Rulers List, Key Facts

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