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Home / IAS Preparation / Balban

Ghiyas Ud Din Balban - Early Life, Reign, Administration, Military Campaigns, Death, Legacy & More

Last Updated on Oct 16, 2024
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Balban was a medieval Sultan of Delhi. He ruled from 1266 to 1287 AD. He was known for his strict and authoritarian rule but also his patronage of art and culture. Balban encouraged the development of Sufism, literature, and other art forms. 

In this article, we will learn about Balban’s history. This forms a significant part of the UPSC IAS exam. UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains Paper I have many questions about this topic. It is also an important topic for UPSC History Optional and essential for the UGC NET History exam. Every year over 5-7 questions on political history are in the question paper.

Who was Ghiyas Ud Din Balban?

Ghiyas ud Din Balban served as the ninth Sultan of the Mamluk dynasty of Delhi. Originally named Baha Ud Din, he was a young Ilbari Turk captured by the Mongols and sold to Khawaja Jamal ud-din of Basra, a Sufi. As a regent to the last Shamsi Sultan, Nasiruddin Mahmud, Ghiyas ud Din eliminated his predecessor, Imaduddin Raihan, and successfully dealt with rivals within the court.In 1232, he, along with other slaves, was brought to Delhi by Khawaja Jamal ud-din, and all were purchased by Iltutmish. Balban was part of the renowned group of 40 Turkic slaves under Iltutmish's command.

Early Life of Ghiyas Ud Din Balban

Born to a Central Asian Turkic noble, he was captured by the Mongols as a child and sold to Khwaja Jamal ud-din Basri, a Sufi, eventually brought to Delhi in 1232 by Khwaja.Initially a water carrier, Balban swiftly ascended to the role of Khasdar (king's personal attendant) under Sultan Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, who himself was an Ilbari Turk. Part of the renowned Chalissa, the group of forty Turkic nobles, Balban held the position of amir-i-shikar (lord of the hunt) during Razia Sultan's rule, with military and political responsibilities.Following Razia Sultan's overthrow, he gained prominence in subsequent reigns, obtaining the fief of Rewari under Bahram Shah and later becoming the Jagir (lord) of Hansi, a significant fiefdom.

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Administration under Balban

Let us have a look at the administration of Balban: 

  • Each part had its own officials and jobs to do. The Sultan and his friends led the central government. The governors led the provincial government. The Commander-in-Chief led the army, and the Kotwal led the police.
  • Balban believed that the Sultan was the most important person. He wanted the Sultan to be the most powerful person in the Sultanate. Balban made many changes to make this happen. He created a spy system to watch over officials. The spies were called Barids. They were very good soldiers.
  • Balban also made officials show the Sultan respect. They had to bow down and touch his feet. This was called Sijda. These things were meant to show that the Sultan was the most important person.
  • Balban also gave officials land in exchange for their help. They had to collect taxes from the people. This way, the officials were loyal to the Sultan. Balban made a new army too. The soldiers were paid by the Sultan. The police were also changed. They were given more power to make sure people followed the law.
  • All of these changes made the Delhi Sultanate stronger. Balban's ideas helped make a strong government. Balban's reforms had a significant impact on the administration of the Delhi Sultanate. One of his important changes was the establishment of a spy network called Barids. These spies kept an eye on the officials and informed the Sultan if they were disloyal or corrupt. The Barids were highly trained and chosen from the best soldiers in the army.
  • To reinforce Sultan's power, Balban introduced rituals of respect called Sijda and Paibos. Officials had to bow down and touch Sultan's feet as a sign of respect during Sijda. Paibos was an even more extreme form where they had to lie flat on the ground in front of the Sultan. These rituals served to remind the officials of their place in the hierarchy and emphasise the Sultan's authority.
  • Balban also introduced the Iqta system, which granted land to officials in exchange for their services. These officials were responsible for collecting taxes from the peasants living on the land. This system helped to centralise power in the hands of the Sultan, as the officials relied on Sultan's support for their livelihood.
  • In addition to these administrative changes, Balban reorganised the army. He established a standing army that was directly paid for by the Sultan. 
  • Furthermore, Balban made reforms to the police system. He created a separate police force called the Kotwali, which had the authority to enforce the law and punish offenders. The Kotwali was led by a chief officer appointed by the Sultan.
  • Overall, Balban's administrative reforms played a crucial role in strengthening the Delhi Sultanate. His centralised system of governance, spy network, rituals of respect, land-grant system, standing army, and reorganised police force all contributed to creating a strong and stable administration capable of governing the vast territories of the Delhi Sultanate.

Economic Achievements Of Balban

Ghiyas ud din Balban was a powerful ruler who controlled the Delhi Sultanate from 1266 to 1286. During his reign, he implemented various economic policies that helped stabilise his kingdom's economy. 

  • Balban also took steps to encourage trade and commerce. He built new roads and canals, making goods easier to transport across the kingdom. He also reduced the taxes on merchants, which encouraged them to do more business.
  • He introduced a new coin called the Tanka. It was made of silver.
  • One of Balban's most important economic policies was to promote industry. He established new workshops where craftsmen could make textiles, pottery, and metalwork. 
  • Balban also took steps to ensure the kingdom had a strong and stable government. He appointed competent officials to key positions and ensured they were properly trained. This helped to reduce corruption and ensure that the government ran smoothly.

In conclusion, Balban's reign was marked by significant economic growth and stability. His policies helped to streamline tax collection, encourage trade and commerce, promote agriculture and industry, and create a stable and strong government. All of these factors contributed to the overall prosperity of the Delhi Sultanate under Balban's rule.

Culture and Religion under Balban

Culture flourished under Balban's rule in medieval India. Balban was a Sultan of Delhi who ruled from 1266 to 1287 AD. He was known for his authoritarian and strict rule, but also for flourishing architecture and culture. 

  • He built many Sufi shrines and invited many Sufi saints to Delhi. These Sufi saints were revered for their wisdom and spiritual knowledge. 
  • Balban was also a great patron of literature. He encouraged the writing of many books and poems in Persian, which was the language of the Muslim elite at the time. Balban himself was a skilled poet and wrote many poems in Persian. He also sponsored the translation of many works of literature from Arabic and Persian into the local languages of India. 
  • Under Balban's rule, the court of Delhi became a centre of culture and learning. Scholars and intellectuals gathered at the court to discuss philosophy, science, and literature. Balban himself was known for his intelligence and knowledge. He was well-versed in the Quran and deeply understood Islamic law. 
  • The construction of many public works projects also marked Balban's rule. He built many new roads and bridges, which helped to improve trade and commerce. 

In conclusion, Balban was a great patron of art and culture during his reign. He encouraged the development of Sufism, literature, and other art forms. 

Military Campaigns of Ghiyas Ud Din Balban
  • According to Ziauddin Barani, Balban aimed to instill the 'Fear of the governing power' for effective governance.
  • He emphasized the Sultan as the 'shadow of God' and implemented strict court discipline.
  • Balban relied on Turkish nobility but also built a diverse army of 2 lakh, including commandos.
  • During his reign, he successfully lifted the Mongol siege of Uch under Masud Shah in 1246.
  • When Bengal's governor, Tughral Tughan Khan, challenged Delhi's authority in 1275, Balban dispatched two armies, both unsuccessful.
  • Accompanying a third army, Balban personally led the reconquest, defeating Tughral and restoring control with the assistance of his son Nasiruddin Bughra Khan.
  • Balban appointed Bughra Khan as governor, but after Balban's death, Bughra declared independence, maintaining it for 40 years.

Also learn about Early Medieval Period in India here!

Death and Legacy of Ghiyas Ud Din Balban

Balban's health declined after the death of his favorite son, Prince Muhammad, and, being elderly, he neared the end of his life. Recognizing his impending demise, he named Kai Khusrav, his grandson and Prince Muhammad's son, as his heir. In 1287, at the age of eighty, Balban passed away.

Balban was considered one of India's most ruthless kings. He introduced Persian court practices like Sijda, Zaminbosi, and Paibosi to India, emphasizing gestures of reverence toward the Sultan. Advancing the Iranian Theory of Divine Rights, he asserted the Sultan as God's representative on Earth. Balban curtailed the influence of the "Corp of Forty" and defeated the formidable "Chihalagani" slave group, the heirs of Iltutmish. To combat the Mongols, he reorganized the military, abolishing the Naik office and establishing the Diwan-i-arz, led by Ariz-i-Mumalik. Balban also supported education, providing opportunities for educated men from Central Asia. During his reign, Persian poets Amir Khusru and Amir Hosan flourished.

Conclusion

Balban was a significant figure in medieval Indian history. He ruled with an iron fist and fostered a vibrant cultural and artistic scene in his kingdom. 

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Balban FAQs

Ghiyas ud din Balban was a Sultan of Delhi who ruled from 1266 to 1287 AD.

Balban encouraged the development of art, culture, and Sufism.

Balban promoted Persian as the language of literature.

Balban was the ruler of Ilbari or Mamluk dynasty

Balban is remembered as a ruler who left a lasting cultural and intellectual impact.
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