Balban - Model Answer

  

Balban

Gayasudin Balban belonged to the Albary tribe of Turks. His father was Sardar of 10,000 families. He was captured by invading Mongols and sold to a merchant at Basra. According to Minhaj-ud-Siraj, Balban persuaded Aibbak to buy him From the Basra merchant. Aibbak was not interested in buying him because of his shortness and ugliness. By his ability, he succeeded in getting promoted to a higher post. He was in the good books of Razia Sultan. However, when the revolt took place against Razia Sultan, he sided with the party of Behram. In return, he received the Jagirs of Rewari and Hansi. During the tenure of Masood, Balban resisted the invasion of Mongols on the territory of Lahore. During the tenure of Naseeruddin, which started in 1246, Balban was appointed Prime Minister because of his proven wisdom and sharpness of mind. He continued on the post with one interval for 20 years. Balban served Naseeruddin with complete devotion.

Balban - as the prime minister of Naseeruddin.

Balban proved to be a very successful Prime Minister. He faced some significant difficulties as a Prime Minister of Naseeruddin. The people of India had lost respect for the Turkish government after the death of Iltutmish because of disorder, injustice, uncertainty and confusion that prevailed. Balban's first major problem was restoring the people's faith in the state's administration. For this, he adopted the policy of firm resolution. Apart from that, he had to face some more intricate problems. They were as follows. 

1. Revolt of Hindu and Rajput rulers of Mewat

2. Revolt of Rajput rulers in Malwa 

3. Conspiracy of scheming Muslims

 4 Revolt of Muslim governors.

 5. Regular invasion of Mongols in regular intervals. 

1. Suppression of Hindu revolts.

After the death of Iltutmish and the removal of Razia Sultana by orthodox religious groups with the support of the group of Forties (Chaliya or Chalisa), Beharam and Masood could not maintain control over the state over the newly acquired territory in India. There were revolts against the government's policies. Still, Balban, as a Prime Minister to Sultan Nassirudin Mahmud and later as a sultan, suppressed those revolts with courage and a firm hand. In 1246, the Kokhars of the river Chenab and Jhelum Doab were defeated. Similarly, Hindu Rajas of the Doab, the territory between Yamuna and Ganga, were defeated. After that, Gwalior Mandu, Chanderi and Malwa were re-conquered. Balban brought the Rajputana under the control of the Delhi administration.

2. Suppression of Mewati.

 The Hindu rulers of the Mewat region in the south of Delhi from Ghaggar to Yamuna had resisted the rule of the Turkish regime. The people of the region fought the control of Muslim rulers in Delhi and were not ready to accept them. The directive of the Delhi Sultanate was openly challenged and disrupted law and order in the area. In 1248, Balban deployed an army against Mewati. In 1259, Balban led the strong military, and within 20 days, he could crush 12,000 Mewati Hindu leaders. He also acquired 21,00,000 Tankas from the vanquished Hindu Sardar in this expedition. 

3. Suppression of scheming Muslim Officers.

After the death of Iltutmish, Turkish Sardars became powerful. They were as popular as Chalia, a group of 40. Balban was also part of that group. The 40 Sardars changed the monarchs as per their whims. When Balban became the prime minister of Naseeruddin, the Chalia tried to turn Sultan Nassirudin against Balban, and Balban was removed as the Prime Minister. Balban returned to his Jagirs of Rewari and Hansi. But when he left, the situation at Delhi Sultanate Court became more difficult. The author of the Tabkat-i-Nasiri, Minhaj-ud-Shiraj has placed in his record that the disorder was of such an order that Muslims could not say their regular namaz in the mosque. In such circumstances, Nassiruddin was compelled to call Balban back as the prime minister, putting Balban on a firmer footing. 

4. The pressure of the rebellious governor.

In 1255, the Governor of Awadh, Qutulugh Khan, and the Governor of Sindh, Kishlu Khan, joined and revolted against the centre at Delhi. Balban suppressed their revolt with solid hands. 

5. Checked the Mongol's regular intrusions. 

After the return of Changez Khan, Mongol intruders later continue to revisit Punjab to re-loot the area. To check these intrusions and revolts, Balban built new forts, repaired the older ones, and deputed strong and committed Officers to defend the area. He was very successful in checking the intrusion of Mongols in Punjab. 

Balban as a Sultan.

1. Policy towards Mewat, Malwa and Muslim Governors conspirators

 Balban became the Sultan in 1266. Sultan Balban ensured that the Hindus of Mewat region, Hindu rulers of Kattiar, later known as Rohilkhand, Rajput of Guwahati, Ranthambore, and Chanderi remained subdued. Similarly, he did not allow any Muslim Noble to organise any conspiracy against the centre. 

2. Successful Mongol Policy

In the case of Mongols, he reinforced his fort management along the Punjab borders. The territories of Multan, Samana, Dipalpur, etc, were declared as the borders of Punjab or frontier provinces. More forts were built on the northwest Frontier. Balban manufactured more weapons. Balban was fortunate to find among their cousins and relatives who were devoted and effective generals. Sher Khan and Malik Mubarak were commissioned to defend the northwest Frontier.

Similarly, his two sons proved highly effective in defending the northwest Frontier and established their name as successful military commandants. They were Bughra Khan and Mohammed. After adopting such strict measures by 1279, when the Mongols returned, Bughra Khan from Samana and Malik Mubarak from Delhi reinforced their forces on the North West Frontier and helped Prince Mohammed defeat the Mongols. However, in 1285, Prince Mohammed was killed in another Mongol invasion under their commander Tamar. Prince Mohammed was very dear to Balban, and it affected Balban's morale. Balban did not allow this personal setback to reflect on his empirical duties. Even then, on the whole, Balban was able to push back the Mongols, and he succeeded in his policy. Because of his Mongol policy, Balban could not spread his territories towards the South and East of Delhi. However, when his firm policy against the Mongols proved successful, he started new expeditions in other parts of India. 

3. The Bengal revolt

Bengal Province had always remained an intricate problem for the Delhi sultanate because of the great distance. Balban was among the first Muslim rulers who found a way to control Bengal from a distance. In 1279, Balban reinstated his control over the governor of Bengal. However, the Governor of Bengal stopped the payment of the annual tribute after a lapse of time, believing that the Sultan had become old and, because of the distance, Bengal could afford to defy the dictates of Delhi. Balban sent his Governor, Aamir Khan, to chastise Tughril Beg of Bengal, but Tughril Beg defeated Aamir Khan. In the second expedition, Tughril Beg was again successful. It troubled the Sultan and made him angry and anxious. In the third expedition, he headed the army, defeated Tughril Beg, and killed him. He adopted a policy of cruelty against the relatives and friends of Tughril Beg in the bazaar of Lakhnauti. They were murdered mercilessly. People watched the cruelty of the Sultan with dismay and horror, and the Sultan made it a point to convey a message that the Delhi Sultanate's rule could not be taken lightly. It was as per his Iron and Blood policy, which he had adopted. Historian Barani pointed out that the cruelty displayed at Lakhanauti was never heard of in the Delhi empire. After the revolt in Bengal was suppressed, Balban deputed his son Bhughra Khan as the governor of Bengal. Bughra Khan was so terrified by his father's cruelty that he never thought of revolting against the Delhi Kingdom and did not even dare to reach Delhi in the presence of Balban, even when he was called to Delhi so he could be installed as the successor of Balban. 

4. Balban administration

Balban is remembered in history as a good administrator. When he took over the reins of power, first as a Prime Minister of Nassiruddin Mahmud and later as the Sultan, the area suffered from confusion and disorder. People had lost faith in the government's credibility and did not respect the government's whip. In his accounts, Barani, the contemporary historian, observed that fear of the administration had departed. There was unrest against the Turkish rule in Delhi. Therefore, there were two significant problems before Balban when he took over as a sultan.

The first problem was reinstating the prestige of the government. 

The second problem was ensuring the security of people's lives and property. 

4a. New Imperial Policy of Blood and Iron

Balban adopted a blood and iron policy to restore the Delhi Sultanate's rule. To achieve this, the Sultan raised a strong army. Balban maintained a strong cavalry and Infantry. Cavalry and Infantry were placed under the command of experienced and capable maliks. The appointment to the post of commandments was based on merit only. Only such soldiers who were bold, courageous, and loyal to the Sultan were given preference. They were able to achieve good results for the Balban. 

4b. An Efficient Spy system.

Balban organised a very efficient spy system. The spies strictly watched the workings of nobles, ministers, and governors. They were highly disciplined and professional people. They kept watch on every person, even the members of royal families of high status like Bughra Khan. 

4c1. Dignified Court.

As a part of the blood and iron policy, Balban established a magnificent court wherein strict practices and protocols were made the order of the day. Balban knew that a magnificent court left an effective impression on the people who approached the Sultan and infused awe, fear, and mesmerising influence in their hearts for the Sultan. Therefore, Balban organised his court on the model of Persian courts. The court was decorated to make an impact on the observers who got the chance to attend it. All those who visited Balban were asked to bow before the Sultan and his throne. 

4c2. The decoration and magnification.

Balban established a highly decorative and magnificent court designed on the pattern of Persian courts. There were fixed protocols in the presence of the Sultan occupying the throne. The Court environment was very successful in leaving a sober impact on the minds of the visitors. Balban always attended his court in an impressive style. He did not mix with his officers in court and maintained a tranquil and dignified presence while attending to the tasks of the empire. He also discontinued his earlier habits of taking wine and watching dances, leaving an impression of austerity on the courtesan and visitors.

4d. The rule of justice was enforced.

 Balban was a stern ruler. No governor or relative dared to violate his orders and rules, which he established. In every sphere, he issued his orders and established rules. At the same time, implementing those regulations and orders, he tried to do justice to everyone who followed his orders and regulations. No relative or friend was allowed to take any privileges by going against the orders and regulations of Balban. There are many examples wherein the highly dignified nobles went against his rules and orders and were appropriately punished without bias or prejudice. No distinction was made between poor or rich, high or low. Barani, the historian of his times, wrote about Balban's sense of justice in glorious terms.

4e. Dealing with Turkish Nobles - Chalia.

After the reign of Iltutmish, Turkish nobles gained much power. It had become difficult to deal with them, especially with the group of 40s - Chalia. It was necessary to weaken those nobles to establish a peaceful and orderly atmosphere in the country. Balban had, therefore, to take stern measures to accomplish the arduous task. The Jagirs of old Amirs and Maliks were confiscated and allotted pensions instead of jagirs. The Young Sardars continued to hold their title to Jagir's, but their surplus wealth was seized.

Similarly, widows of many old Jagirdars were also deprived of their Jagirs but were granted pensions instead of Jagirs. These nobles were subjected to strict watch so they would not associate and mix to hatch any plot against the Sultan. Balban curtailed the power of the group of 40 by making stern rules. 

5. Balban's blood and iron policy.

 Balban's blood and iron policy was based on a strong army, a strict rule of law, and an efficient spy system. It even adopted the policy of cruelty against the rebellions. An elaborate court with stringent practices and an approach towards running the administration with non-emotional and display of control on the state working were the essence of his Blood and Iron Policy.

Watch a YouTube Presentation based on the above content. 

Balban's Blood and Iron Policy Video