Ghiyas-ud-din Balban – Theory of Kingship

Balban Theory of Kingship as discussed by Harsh

During the reign of Nasir-ud-din Mahmud (c. 1246 – c. 1266 AD), Balban emerged as most powerful noble. He was appointed as Naib Sultan (deputy Sultan). Balban was a member of Turkan-i-Chihalgani. Ghiyas-ud-din Balban declared himself Sultan after the death of Nasir in c. 1266 AD. Sultan Balban faced number of challenges after being the King of Delhi. To counter these challenges, he undertook number of step and propounded the new Theory of Kingship. Zia-ud-din Barani in his book Tarik-i-Firozshahi has explained dimensions and components of the theory of Kingship of Balban.

Also Read : Ghiyas-ud-din Balban – Accession to Delhi’s Throne and Challenges

Turkan-i-Chihalgani – Relations with Sultans of Delhi

Razia Sultan – The Only Woman Ruler of Medieval Delhi

Elements of Balban’s Theory of Kingship

Semi-Divine Origin of Kingship

He emphasized on the semi-divine theory of kingship. He proclaimed that crown is conferred by God on selected few. He called kingship as Niyabat-i-Khudai (gift of God). Balban emphasized that the status of Sultan was only next to Prophet. He claimed that Sultan is the shadow of God on Earth. In consonance with belief Balban adopted the title of Zillullah.

Despotism

He proclaimed that Sultan is answerable only to God for action because Sultan gets his power from God. Hence, he was firm believer in despotic authority of Sultan. He didn’t allow any noble, Ulemas, military or peoples to question his authority. He ruled with iron hand.

Blood and Iron

He was a firm believer in the policy of Blood and Iron. He suppressed his opponents ruthlessly as he adopted every possible method to subjugated his opponents. He used this method to suppress Turkan-i-Chihalgani, robbers and rebels. Entire Mewat region was put n fire, all male adults were killed and women & children were enslaved by him.

When the province of Bengal, led by Tughril Beg, was continuously challenging the authority of Delhi, Balban himself marched to Bengal and defeated him and hanged Tughril Beg publicly along with his entire family. Militarism was dominant feature of the Balban’s theory of kingship. He raised a powerful army because he believed that only military could successfully tackled the challenges of state and of Mongols.

Impartial Justice

Though He was a despotic ruler but he didn’t used his authority to exploit the common people. Impartial justice was an important feature of the kingship of Balban. He had clearly proclaimed that Kingship knows no kinship (there is no dear and near to sultan). He delivered impartial justice to mighty and weak, rich and poor without any fear or favor. Even the senior nobles were punished severely for minor offences.

Racialism and High Origin of His Family

He was racist in his outlook. He was a firm believer in superiority of pure Turkish blood. Only Turks were appointed in high offices. According to Barani, he never used to meet a non-Turk. He even tried to dismiss non-Turks for the state services. He proclaimed that he was descendent of mythical Persian hero Afrasiyab and also gave names of Persian legends to his children.

Emphasis on POMP and SHOW in Court

 Court paraphernalia was greatly emphasized by Sultan Balban to raise power and prestige of crown. He used to attend court with full royal dress. Persian court practices like Sijda (prostration) and Paibos (kissing the feet of monarch) was adopted. He also started to celebrate Navroz, the Persian new year in his court. A strict discipline was maintained by him in his court, nobody was even allowed to smile.

Administration and Succession

He created number of institutions to ensure the effectiveness of administration. Department of military known as Diwan-i-Arz was created by him. Department of Spies known as Diwan-i-Barid was also created. He took deep interest in affairs of state. He appointed number of capable spies throughout the sultanate to remain in touch with important developments. He emphasized on dynastic succession to do so he destroyed old nobility and created a new one.  

With this policy, Balban successfully tackled the challenges faced by him after his succession but there were also some limitations associated with rule of Balban.

Limitation of Balban’s Rule

Though Balban was successful in achieving his immediate objectives but could not accomplish his long-term objective. Balban’s theory of kingship failed to ensure continuity of his dynasty because within three years of his death, the dynasty was collapsed and Khiljis came to power. The social base was severely affected because this theory was racist in nature.

He emphasized on over centralization of the authority and his administration revolved around only him. Thus, his successors failed to fill the vacuum and eventually dynasty was collapsed. He failed to win the trusts of peoples, nobles and Ulemas because he was very harsh and cruel. He did not make any proper arrangement for tackling the threats of Mongols and hence, after his death, Mongol’s attacked Delhi more frequently.

Thus, Balban theory of Kingship was a success but in short-term as it failed in long-term. But Balban was a trend settler of his time and inspire many of future rulers to adopted same kingship like him. For example, Alauddin Khilji, Muhammad-Bin-Tughlaq, Akbar etc. propounded same type of kingship theories.