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Ghiyas ud-Din Balban

Type Figure Region North India Time c. 1200–1287 Also known as Ghiyas ud din Balban、Ghiyath al-Din Balban、Balban、Ulugh Khan、Bahauddin

Ghiyas ud-Din Balban was the ninth sultan of the Slave Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, reigning from 1266 to 1287;…

Timeline

  1. 1232–1246Delhi · DelhiCaptured by Mongols in childhood and eventually brought to Delhi, Balban was purchased by Sultan Iltutmish in 1232 and became one of the famous 'Forty Slaves'. Thereafter he gradually rose in the court through ability, taking part in suppressing rebellions and accumulating military-political influence.
  2. 1246–1266Delhi · DelhiAfter Nasir ud-Din Mahmud acceded, Balban served as regent in his capacity as father-in-law and actually directed state affairs. During this period he reorganized administration, dealt with Mongol pressure from the northwest, and around 1253 led troops to the Jhelum area to deter invaders, keeping the sultanate functioning through turbulent times.
  3. 1266–1270Delhi · DelhiAfter Mahmud's death in 1266 Balban proclaimed himself sultan under the name Ghiyas ud-Din. Early in his reign he imposed strict court etiquette and a theory of royal worship, suppressed noble centrifugal tendencies, and continued strengthening the northwest frontier. By around 1270 the focus of his rule was restoring central authority and resisting external threats.

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