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Who Was Razia Sultan?

Views: 19 | Updated On: | By Gajju Jangir

Razia Sultan was a ruler of the Delhi Sultanate in India, who ruled from 1236 to 1240 AD. She was the first and only female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, and her reign was marked by political turmoil and controversy.

Razia was born in 1205 AD, the daughter of Sultan Iltutmish, the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate at the time. She was well-educated and was trained in administration and military tactics from a young age. She was known for her intelligence, beauty, and ambition.

When Sultan Iltutmish died in 1236 AD, there was a power struggle among his sons for the throne. Razia, who was considered to be the most capable of the sultan's children, was able to gain the support of the nobles and the army, and was declared the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.

As a ruler, Razia faced many challenges. The nobility and the army were not used to being ruled by a woman, and there was resistance to her rule. She also faced opposition from her own brothers, who were jealous of her power and sought to overthrow her.

Despite these challenges, Razia was able to maintain her power and rule effectively. She was a skilled administrator and was able to maintain the stability of the kingdom. She also embarked on military campaigns to expand the Delhi Sultanate's territory and was able to secure several important victories.

Razia was also known for her patronage of the arts and culture. She was a patron of poets, scholars, and musicians and her court was known for its cultural and intellectual achievements. She also built many public works, such as hospitals and schools, to improve the lives of her subjects.

However, Razia's rule was not without its controversies. She was known for her liberal policies and her attempts to bring about social and economic reforms. These policies were not well-received by the conservative elements of the society and led to her downfall. In 1240 AD, she was overthrown by her own army, who was unhappy with her policies and her close relationship with her courtier Jalaluddin Yakut.

Razia was captured and imprisoned, and later killed in uncertain circumstances. Her reign marked a short but important period in the history of the Delhi Sultanate and her legacy remains controversial. On one hand, she was the first and only female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate and faced many challenges due to her gender. On the other hand, her reign was marked by political turmoil and her policies were not well received by the conservative elements of the society.

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