Iltutmish. Razia Sultan (1205-1240) was the first woman who ruled India. She was the daughter of the Delhi Sultan. Her real name was Razia-al-Din. She changed her name to Razia Sultan when she became Sultan of Delhi in 1236 A.D. She belonged to the Slave Dynasty. Like some other administer kingdoms, if the need arose.
The eldest son of Iltutmish, Nasir-ud-din Mahmud, died prematurely. His younger sons were not capable of undertaking the task of administration. So, Iltutmish nominated his daughter Razia as his heiress. Razia possessed remarkable talents. During her father's reign, she handled the affairs of the state efficiently. Ferishta writes," She read the Quran with correct pronunciation and in her father's lifetime, employed herself in the affairs of the government." As a queen, she displayed her virtues more prominently. According to the contemporary Muslim chronicler, Minhaj-us-Siraj, she " was a great sovereign, sagacious, just, beneficent, the patron of the learned, a dispenser of justice, the cherisher of her subjects and warlike talent, and was endowed with all the admirable attributes and qualifications necessary for Kings."
Contrary to the custom, she marched with her forces as a queen, set aside cumbersome female garments, and discarded the veil. She wore the headdress of a man. She conducted the affairs of her government in an open darbar, with her face unveiled. She indulged in hunting and led the army in war. She rode an elephant in battles she fought. She refused to be called Sultana because it means' wife or mistress of a Sultan.' She would answer only to the title 'Sultan.' Thus, Razia endeavored to play 'the King' in all possible ways.
Some of the nobles could not reconcile themselves to the rule of women. They organized opposition against her. But Razia was an efficient ruler. She soon overpowered her enemies. So skilfully did she manipulate the political intrigues played against her that, before long, the rebels began to fight amongst themselves? She defeated one of the leaders, Wazir Muhammad Junaidi, so convincingly that he retired from active politics. Razia is considered one of the most powerful rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. Her authority was established over Hindustan and Punjab. The governors of the distant provinces of Bengal and Sind also acknowledged her Sway.
Razia was fully devoted to her empire and her subjects. She established schools, Academics, centers for research, and public libraries. In libraries, she included the works of ancient philosophers and the Quran and Prophet Muhammad's traditions. Hindu philoso[hy, astronomy, science, and literature were reportedly studied in schools of that time. Razia reportedly sought to abolish the tax on non- Muslims but met opposition from the nobility.
Razia was not destined to enjoy a peaceful region. The undue favors to an Abyssian slave Jalal-us-din Yaqut offended the Turkish nobles and aroused jealousy among them. Some historians say that nothing could have stopped Razia from becoming one of the most accomplished rulers of the Delhi Sultanate except love. What undid her was her relationship with Yakut. The thought of women of pure Turkish descent consorting with an Abyssinian slave must have upset the Turkish nobles a good deal.
The first to revolt openly was Ikhtiyar-ud-din Altunia, the governor of Sirhind. Altus was also a childhood friend of Razia. The queen marched with a large army to suppress this revolt. A battle was fought between Razia and Altuna. In this battle, Yaqut was killed, and Razia was imprisoned. To escape death, Razia agreed to marry Altuna. Meanwhile, Razia's brother. Moin-us-din Bahram Shah usurped the throne. She marched with her husband to take back the Sultanate but was defeated. She was to put to death along with her husband on Ocober14, 1240 A.D.
Razia's reign was follwed by Bahram Shah, Ala-ud-din Musad Shah and Nasir-us-din Mahmud.
Thus the life of queen Razia came to a tragic end after a reign of three years and few months. The removal of Razia Sultan was fooled by a period of disorder and confusion. Her successors were worthless and incompetent, and during the six years of their rule, the country knew no joy or tranquillity.
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