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.
