Qaiqabad- the last among the Slave rulers

CONDITION OF DELHI SULTANATE

At the time when Muiz ud din Qaiqabad was made the Sultan of Delhi, the Delhi Sultanate was in a very powerful position. He had managed to get among the most powerful empires in the world in mere inheritance. His predecessor Balban was among the most powerful and able rulers of the dynasty who managed to put a foundation of the most powerful empire for his descendants. Balban was highly successful in laying down an advanced system for the security of borders and territory. He established a strong army along with sheer discipline among the masses.

To avoid and get rid of the issue of Mongol raids Balban adopted special measures for defence in the Northern and North-Western region. Eastern India was already under the Delhi Sultanate and the rebels from the Hindu Rajputs were suppressed harshly.

So, Qaiqabad served the empire with the golden spoon. But at the same time, it is also a matter of fact that he was not able to manage and administer such a powerful empire.

REIGN OF QAIQABAD

Qaiqabad was just a teen during his coronation and was among the closest grandsons of Balban. And this being the reason, Balban usually kept a lot of checks upon Qaiqabad. As a result, when he became the king he got indulged in such things that he was kept deficit of. He indulged in the attraction of wine and women. And this was the example set by the Sultan to all the other nobles and courtiers. The result was that the administration of the Delhi Sultanate was kept neglected for a long time making it weaker and weaker. The Sultan usually kept himself over-indulged in pleasure parties having no time for anything else.

Gradually all the power was taken into the hand of Nizam-ud-Din, the son-in-law of Fakhr-ud-Din, the Kotwal of Delhi. Qaiqabad just became the puppet ruler and Nizam-ud-din became the de-facto ruler.

MONGOL RAIDS DURING QAIQABAD

During his reign, Qaiqabad also faced Mongol raids under the leadership of Tamar Khan of Ghazni. He managed to plunder the region as far as Samana. But still, by this time, the defence system set up by Balban and Sher Khan was so prevalent that the Mongols, even at full capacity, were unable to invade Punjab. Malik Baqbaq played an important role in the defeat of the Mongols.

BUGHRA KHAN'S MARCH TO DELHI

In 1288, Bughra Khan, the father of Qaiqabad marched toward Delhi along with a big army. There has been controversy behind the reason for Bughra Khan’s march to Delhi. One view is that he wanted to snatch the throne from the hands of his son. But at the same time when we notice the fact that he had rejected his authority to the throne, historians suggest that his objective was to give his son a lesson and advice to give up a life of ease and take active participation in the administration of the empire. Qaiqabad also made equally powerful arrangements to face the army of his father, both armies faced each other at Ghaghra near Ayodhya but all this took the form of a peaceful settlement in the end.

Both- the father and the son respected each other’s authority and respect. Bughra Khan advanced the homage to Sultan while Qaiqabad came down from the throne in respect of his father. Meetings and settlements were held for days. Bughra Khan expressed his feelings to push Qaiqabad to a suitable position, warning him against the desires of Nizam-ud-Din. And then both returned to their respective capitals.

On returning to Delhi, many of the administrative changes and transfers were made by Qaiqabad. This led to little disturbance in the entire administrative mechanisms. Nizam-ud-Din was ordered to be transferred to Multan but was later poisoned when he hesitated to obey the orders. Despite the opposition faced by the Turkish nobles, he gave Jalal-ud-Din Khalji (then Firuz) the fief of Baran and made him the commander of the army. Jalal-ud-Din Khalji’s position was continuously increasing the empire due to his capability, leadership skills, and strategy.

KAYUMARS' REIGN

It was in 1290 that the health of Qaiqabad deteriorated, he was stricken with paralysis and became helpless at a place. 2 of the nobles of the Delhi Sultanate - Malik Surkha and his associate Malik Kachhan appointed the infant son of Qaiqabad, Kayumars as the new king. He was just 3 years old. The rule of Kayumars was said to be established under the name of Qaiqabad but was planned to be managed by the nobles. These 2 nobles even conspired against all the other rival nobles and planned their murder, including that of the Jalal-ud-din Khalji.

Jalal-ud-din Khalji was warned by his nephew Malik Ahmed Chap about the conspiracy against him. Jalal-ud-din moved his quarters to Ghiyaspur and also called all those officers and nobles who were being targeted by the 2 nobles. The conspiracy gradually backfired on Jalal-ud-Din Khalji by strategy and technique. And soon after this, Jalal-ud-din’s sons marched to Delhi, entered the royal palace, and captured the young Sultan Kayumars. He was brought to the camp of Jalal-ud-Din safely. After all the rivals were reduced and the throne of Delhi was now safe and Kayumars was acknowledged as the sultan of Delhi.

Jalal-ud-Din became the regent of the Sultan. Qaiqabad died on 1 Feb 1290, with some of the unnoticed reasons such as that of starvation and being neglected or maybe by the orders of Jalal-ud-din. After a few months, Kayumars was also deposed by Jalal-ud-din. Most of the Turkish nobles submitted to Jalal-ud-Din and he ascended to the throne in the palace of Kilokri.