Difficulties of Iltutmish
When Iltutmish became the Sultan of Delhi, his path was not free. He faced tremendous difficulties and was surrounded by enemies, adversaries and adverse circumstances.
His main difficulties or problems were as follows-
1. Unorganized State-
At the time of Qutbuddin Aibek's death, the Turkish state in India was in an unorganized state. The state tax was collected by the soldiers. The task of governance was mainly in the hands of the Turkic Sardars, who were full of anti-state sentiments. There was a threat to peace and security in the state due to anti-state elements and the Delhi state could disintegrate at any time.
2. The problem of the Turkish chieftains-
There were many Turkish Sardars present in Delhi state during the time of Muhammad Ghori and Qutbuddin Aibak, who did not consider themselves less powerful and virtuous than Iltutmish in any way. They considered their right on the throne. Apart from this, some Turk Sardars also wanted that only Turk Sardars should be appointed on all important posts of administration and not Indian Muslims.
3. Nasiruddin Qubacha-
Nasiruddin Qubacha was the governor of Sindh and Multan. He declared himself an independent ruler as soon as Aibak died. Not only this, he also captured Bhatinda, Kohram, Sirsuti and Lahore. Qubacha was the real son-in-law of Aibek. That's why he considered himself the successor of Aibak.
4. Tajuddin Yalduz –
After the death of Qutbuddin Aibak, Tajuddin Yalduz again declared himself the ruler of Ghazni and Hindustan and sent a message to Iltutmish to rule as a subedar. Iltutmish could never tolerate this situation.
5. Problem of Rajput chieftains-
During the reign of Qutbuddin Aibak, the Rajput chieftains who had accepted the subordination of Delhi, became rebellious after his death and stopped sending taxes. The chieftains of many regions got united and chased away the Turkish chieftains and became independent again. Iltutmish had to deal with these Hindu rulers.
6. Problem of North-Western border-
The defense of the north-west frontier was also a major problem before Iltutmish. The Mongols had defeated Shah Jalaluddin Mangbarni of Khwarizm. Jalaluddin fled and reached the banks of the Indus river in India. He had also captured some Indian territories with the help of Khokhras. Apart from this, many residents of Central Asia, who were afraid of Mongol invasions, were also fleeing to India. The whole situation was worrying.
7. Question of legality -
Iltutmish also had the problem of strengthening his authority. He was a slave and according to Islamic law he had no right to be a ruler. Therefore, Iltutmish did not expect any cooperation from the Muslim religious class.
Solving difficulties by Iltutmish
Although Iltutmish was surrounded by difficulties from all sides, he overcame all his difficulties with extraordinary enthusiasm, determination, ability and military skill and made his empire strong, united and independent.
1. Suppression of Turk chieftains-
Iltutmish first suppressed the opposition of his opponents Qutbi and Muazzi Turk Sardars. These Sardars refused to accept Iltutmish as Sultan and then revolted near Delhi under the leadership of Jahandar. Iltutmish brutally crushed this rebellion. A large number of opposing chieftains were put to death and the rest accepted the suzerainty of Iltutmish.
2. Suppression of Yalduz-
Iltutmish marched towards Yalduz with a huge army. A fierce battle took place between the two sides in the historical field of Tarain, in which Yalduz was defeated and taken prisoner and later died. It was a double victory for Iltutmish. Destruction of the most fierce enemy challenging his power and final separation from Ghazni, as a result of which the independent existence of Delhi was confirmed.
3. Suppression of Qubacha-
In 1217 AD, Iltutmish attacked Qubacha and defeated him badly on the banks of river Chenab. At this time Qubacha was forced to accept the subordination of Iltutmish and also agreed to pay him an annual tax. Nevertheless, for the next 10 years, Qubacha behaved like an independent ruler. In 1227 AD, Iltutmish attacked Qubacha again and after defeating him took possession of his territories. The defeated Kubacha died by drowning in the Sindh river while running for his life.
4. Unprecedented neutrality at the time of Mongol invasion
Under the leadership of Genghis Khan, Mongols had destroyed and corrupted many states of Central Asia. The last king of Khwarizm, Jalaluddin Mangbarni, after being defeated by him, fled to India in 1221 AD and camped on the banks of the Indus river. Jalaluddin sent his ambassador in the service of Iltutmish and appealed for military help against the Mongols. At this time, Iltutmish acted with great foresight. He got Shah's ambassadors killed as traitors and sent Jalaluddin to say that the hot climate of Delhi was not favorable to him. Thus Iltutmish saved the Delhi Empire from destruction by the Mongols.
5. War with Rajput kings –
Iltutmish forced the rebellious Rajputs to accept subordination again. In 1226 AD, after defeating the ruler of Ranthambore, Veer Narayan, he took the fort there under his authority. The next year he defeated Rahul, the Agrawal ruler of Mandir, situated in the Shivalik hills, and took possession of the fort there. In 1228 AD, Iltutmish forced Udai Singh, the ruler of Jalore, to accept submission and pay an annual tax. Encouraged by these victories, Iltutmish attacked Gwalior in 1232 AD.
6. Honoring by Khalifa (1229 AD)-
Iltutmish requested the Caliph of Baghdad to grant legal recognition to his kingdom. Mustasir Billah, the Caliph of Baghdad, accepted him as the Sultan of the Delhi Sultanate and adorned Iltutmish with the title of 'Nasir-Amir-ul-Maumneen' (Assistant of the Caliph) and also sent a "Khilat" (dress) through his emissary. Due to this extraordinary honor, Iltutmish's legal respect was strengthened and for Muslims, his disobedience became tantamount to defiance of religion.
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