Turkan-i-Chihalgani – Relations with Sultans of Delhi

Turkan-i-Chihalgani as discussed by Harsh

The establishment of Turkish rule in India during the last decade of 12^th century AD, marked the beginning of new phase in Indian history because for many centuries hereafter India was ruled by Turko-Afghan rulers. It was Muhammad Ghori who established Turkish rule in India in c. 1192 AD after the defeating Prithviraj Chauhan.

Turks brought number of changes in political and administration system of Delhi. Turkan-i-Chihalgani was one that institutions introduced by them in India. It was the idea of Shams-ud-din Iltutmish who established it after ascending the throne of Delhi Sultanate.

Also Read : Razia Sultan – The Only Woman Ruler of Medieval Delhi

Shams-ud-din Iltutmish – The Real Founder of Delhi Sultanate

Delhi Sultanate – Was A Theocracy or Not?

Turkan-i-Chihalgani and Relations with Sultans of Delhi

As I mentioned earlier that this institution was established by Iltutmish which included the trusted slave officers of Sultan. It was known as a Group of Forty or Chalisa but it was only a symbolic name because it was having only sixteen members. This institution functioned efficiently during the reign of Iltutmish. The members of the institution were appointed with offices with their military and various civil capabilities.

They severed the institution with full commitment and honesty when Iltutmish was alive but after his death they became extremely ambitious and undisciplined. They started playing the role of king makers after the death of Sultan Iltutmish. They started to back the weak contenders for the throne of Delhi, so that they enjoyed the power of state through their hands.

Iltutmish wanted that Razia should succeeded him after his death but these ambitious peopled backed Rukh-ud-din for the throne after the death of Iltutmish. But later Razia Sultan with the help of peoples of Delhi, succeeded the throne of Delhi. Initially, she was supported by Chihalgani. But when she started to act like Sultan, they conspired against him and she was captured and executed in Kaithal (Haryana).

After him, Bahram Shah was placed on throne who was also a weak sultan and died soon. He was succeeded by Ala-ud-din Masud Shah. After the death of Masud Shah, Kishlu Khan declared himself as Sultan but he has to step down because of the opposition from others. Thus, Nasir-ud-din Mahmud came into power with the help of Chihalgani. During the reign of Nasir, Balban emerged as most powerful noble.

He was appointed as Naib Sultan (deputy Sultan). Balban himself was a member of Turkan-i-Chihalgani. Ghiyas-ud-din Balban declared himself Sultan after the death of Nasir. Being a member of Turkan-i-Chihalgani, Balban was aware of the character and activities of the member of this group. Hence, after coming to power, Balban destroyed this groups to strengthen his powers.

Some of the most ambitious members of the group was poisoned to death. Some of others were dismissed on the grounds of inefficiency and age. Many of them were punished for petty offences.

Thus, this institution was shattered by Balban successfully and after that he created new nobility which was loyal to the family of Balban. Balban believed that the nobility created by Iltutmish would not accept his authority easily. Thus, after ascending the throne Balban destroyed the Turkan-i-Chihalgani completely as there was no traces of this after the reign of Balban.