Razia Sultan

Razia Sultan (While The Author Has Taken Liberties With The Truth, Nonetheless It is Based on Actual History)

Razia Sultan was the first and the last woman ruler that ascended the throne of Delhi during the Sultanate era. With her capabilities and self-confidence she not only defended the Delhi Sultanate but also provided it stability.

She was a wise, mature, farsighted and competent ruler who was always concerned for the well being of her subjects. She challenged the age old customs and busted the false myths of inherent male superiority besides breaking the stereotype of a weak woman.

Narrated by a renowned children’s writer Rashmi Swarup Johri in a very simple and lucid style, the inspiring story of Razia Sultan will definitely enthrall our young readers.

Razia was the first and the only woman Sultan who ascended the throne of Delhi Sultanate. She was of Turkish origin and belonged to the slave or the Mamluk Dynasty. She ruled for a very brief period, i.e. from 1236 A.D. to 1240 A.D. But even in such a short span of time, she carved a niche for herself in Indian history.

Her accession to the throne was neither smooth, nor easy, but it was her capability and her popularity among masses that people accepted her as their Sultan. Being a woman, Razia had to face great difficulties. In a male dominated society of that time, few would accept a woman as their Sultan. But Razia ruled as a successful empress quelling rebellions against her.

She did not care for age old traditions and revolted against the social norms and customs that put barriers in the way of women. Nearly 750 years ago, she had raised her voice in favour of equal nghts for women, and ruled as any other male Sultan of the time. Razia opposed purdah and started attending the durbar as well as meeting the people of Delhi city without covering her face in veil, which was certainly a daring act in the conservative society of that time. Like her male counterparts, Razia Sultan also took part in battles and also commanded army.

Razia was a wise and an able ruler. She was a warrior, a far-sighted woman and well-wisher of her people. She fulfilled the wishes of her father by safeguarding ‘Delhi Sultanate’ and also by providing it stability.

Hope our young readers will find this book inspiring and interesting as it is based on the life of an important empress whose thoughts and ideas were far ahead of her times. I am grateful to all of those who helped me in writing this book.

All through the process of writing this book, the inspirations and blessings of my Amma-Babu (Late Ramesh Swarup and Late Radha Rani) was with me.

Iam especially grateful to the officials of the Rampur Raza Library, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, who not only made available the painting of Razia Sultan, but also allowed me to use it in the book. I got continuous help and support in writing, editing and publishing this book from my family members and friends along with the Archeological Survey of India, New Delhi and the Publications Division. I am grateful to all of them.

Razia Sultan was a woman ahead of her times. She ruled as Sultan for three and a half years. She quickly realised that in order to survive, she needed the support of the populace, the nobility and the Muslim ulema or the clergy. She was popular with the masses at Delhi because of her even administration, speedy and fair justice. Towards the Turkish nobility, she had a cautious approach of give and take, but sought to undermine their influence by appointing her own supporters to key posts under the iqta system. She ran afoul of the orthodox Muslim clergy, who could not stomach a woman as a ruler. They began a campaign of character assassination against her. Razia was particularly fond of an Abyssinian slave called Jamaluddin Yakut. He was accused of undue familiarity with Razia because he lifted her on to her horse by holding her from under her armpits. This vile character assassination was to be a source of her downfall.

The Turkish nobles who collaborated with the clergy understood that her power base was Delhi. For their evil designs to bear fruit, they had to get her out of Delhi, Kabir Khan, the governor of Lahore and Multan rose against her. Razia marched against Kabir Khan and defeated him. The governor of Bathinda, Malik Altunia revolted and Razia marched against him. She was defeated and imprisoned. The nobles in Delhi seized power and declared Behram Shah the ruler. The claim of Altunia was ignored. Seeing an opportunity in his dissatisfaction, Razia married Altunia, and together the two marched on Delhi. In the ensuing battle against Bahram Shah, their forces were defeated. Forced to flee, and seeking sanctuary, they camped at Kaithal; they were attacked by bandits and killed.

In this tragic manner the career of Sultan Razia came to an end.

Dr. H N Bajaj is a man with varied interests. He is a medical professional, a spine surgeon, a novelist, and a keen gardener, with extensive knowledge of cacti, bonsai, and assorted plants. He enjoys reading and writing about religious iconography and has published books on Hindu mythology, two medical textbooks, and papers in peer-reviewed journals.

He is fond of dogs, and as far as he can remember he has always shared his life with them. He is passionate about travel, good food, and leading a healthy lifestyle.