In 1236, Sultan Iltutmish's daughter, Raziyya, became Sultan. The chronicler of the age, Minhaj-i Siraj, recognised that she was more able and qualified than all her brothers. But he was not comfortable at having a queen as ruler. Nor were the nobles happy at her attempts to rule independently. When was Razia Sultan removed from the throne?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

CRPF Head Constable Ministerial Official Paper (Held On: 24 Feb 2023 Shift 2)

Answer 1

The correct answer is 1240.

Key Points

Razia Sultan was the first and only female monarch to rule the Delhi Sultanate.
She ascended to the throne in 1236 after the death of her father, Sultan Iltutmish.
Her reign faced significant opposition from the Turkish nobles and conservative factions.
Razia Sultan was removed from the throne in 1240 following a rebellion led by her brother, Bahram Shah.
Her removal marked the end of her attempts to centralize power and rule independently as a female sovereign.

Additional Information

Minhaj-i Siraj
- A prominent chronicler of the Delhi Sultanate era.
- He documented the reigns of various sultans in his work, "Tabaqat-i Nasiri".
- His accounts provide valuable insights into the political and social dynamics of the period.
Delhi Sultanate
- A major Islamic empire based in Delhi that ruled large parts of India from 1206 to 1526.
- It was established by Qutb al-Din Aibak, a former slave of Muhammad of Ghor.
- The Sultanate period is divided into five distinct dynasties: Mamluk, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi.
Challenges Faced by Female Rulers
- Female rulers like Razia Sultan often faced significant resistance from male-dominated power structures.
- Patriarchal attitudes and societal norms frequently undermined their authority.
- Despite their capabilities, female rulers had to constantly assert their legitimacy and competence.
Legacy of Razia Sultan
- Razia Sultan is remembered as a pioneering female ruler in South Asian history.
- Her reign, though brief, is celebrated for her efforts to break gender barriers in leadership.
- She remains an iconic figure symbolizing women's empowerment in historical narratives.