Early Life of Ghiyas-ud-din Balban Before Becoming Sultan of Delhi
Sultan Iltutmish (r: 1211-1236) was one of the most powerful rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. He established a group of Turkish slaves known as the Chihalgani, or the Forty, many of whom eventually rose to high positions at court.
Under Iltutmish's weak successors, the Chihalgani dominated the affairs of the kingdom and divided its power and wealth among themselves. Over time, internal jealousies and dissensions arose among them. None acknowledged inferiority to another. They competed fiercely for riches and status. Balban was one of the Shamsi slaves belonging to the Forty.
In 1232, the pious and learned Khwaja Jamal-ud-din of Basrah purchased Balban in Baghdad and, along with some other slaves, presented him to Sultan Iltutmish at Delhi. Iltutmish initially employed Balban as a Khaas-bardar (attendant carrying arms of his master, gun-bearer, arms carrier). Over time, Balban ascended through various positions, eventually becoming a noble.
However, Historian Isami offers a different account: Some Chinese merchants presented a group of forty Turkish slaves to Iltutmish. Among them was a young Turk whose striking appearance caught the Sultan's attention. Despite this, Iltutmish refused to purchase him, believing that, "such a person will become master of a crown at some future date, and should not remain in the capital since two crowned heads cannot remain in one realm." The rejected slave was none other than Balban, and he was subsequently returned to the merchants.
Later, the wazir Kamal Junaidi purchased Balban from the merchants and presented him once again to Iltutmish. This time, Iltutmish accepted him, remarking that, "A person who is ordained by God to rule a kingdom loses not a bit of his glory on being rejected even two hundred times."
Initially, Balban was assigned to the royal stables, where his duties included cleaning dung and grooming diseased horses. However, the Turkish courtiers advised Iltutmish that it was below the diginity of a Turk to have such a role. Consequently, Balban was promoted.
The famous Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta also recorded an account of Balban's early life. Sultan Iltutmish sent a merchant to Samarkand, Bukhara, and Turmuz to purchase slaves. The merchant returned with a hundred slaves, among whom was Balban. When they were presented to Iltutmish, he was pleased with all except Balban, whom he found unappealing. Iltutmish remarked, "I will not take this one." Balban asked, "Your Majesty, for whom have you bought these slaves?" Iltutmish laughed and replied, "For myself." Balban then said, "Then buy me for the sake of God." Amused by the young man's response, Iltutmish agreed and took him into his service, placing him among the water-carriers.
During Masud's reign, Balban led royal forces into the Doab region to quell uprisings in Jarali and Datauli.
In 1245-46, the Mongol general Manguta advanced into Sindh and laid siege to Uch. Balban prepared a military force to oppose the invasion. He advanced towards the Beas River and sent messengers carrying letters to the garrison at Uch. These messages announced the approach of the Sultan's army and described its large numbers of soldiers, cavalry, and elephants.
Some of these letters fell into Mongol hands. Upon learning of the royal army's approach, Manguta inquired some prisoners at Uch about the army's route, noting that the path along the mountain skirts was longer than the route via Sarsuti and Marut. The prisoners explained that due to the numerous islands along the river banks, there might not be a suitable road for the Sultan's vast army. When Manguta was convinced that he had not sufficient strength to withstand the royal army, he retreated.
Between 1253 and 1254, Balban was temporarily removed from his position as vizier, although he soon regained his status.
Balban played an important role in suppressing the rebellion of Nasir-ud-din's step-father Qutlugh Khan.
Balban marched his troops against Sali Noyan, who invaded Sindh in 1257. However, the Mongols withdrew upon learning of the approach of his forces.
Hulagu Khan's ambassadors were received with a grand reception in Delhi, although their visit had no significant political or diplomatic objectives. Nasir-ud-din Muhammad Karlugh, a Mongol vassal, proposed a marriage alliance between his daughter and one of Balban's sons. Balban sent a messenger with a response to Karlugh at Banian, who subsequently forwarded it to Hulagu at Iraq. Hulagu received the messenger with honour and later sent him back. Balban likewise wished to return the favour to Hulagu's emissaries. However, it remains uncertain whether this matrimonial alliance took place as historian Minhaj has not given the history of the last six years of Nasir-ud-din Mahmud.
Another anecdote describes a bet between the sons of Nasir-ud-din and those of Balban. While drinking in a garden, Balban's sons boasted that no one in the kingdom could rival their father's intelligence and ingenuity. The princes challenged them, betting eighty gold dinars that they could trick Balban into dismounting his horse.
The next day, the four went to the field, where Balban arrived. One of the princes rode alongside Balban and intentionally dropped his whip, asking Balban to retrieve it. Balban dismounted to pick up the whip and handed it back to the prince. Having won the bet, the princes left the field rejoicing and demanded the eighty gold dinars from Balban's sons.
Upon learning of the incident, Balban grew wary of the princes, thinking "these princes who have tricked me thus, might one day seize us, imprison us and shed our blood by fraud and deceit. If we ward off the situation tactfully, we might escape falling into the world's snare."
Night and day, Balban made plans and pondered over every idea that struck him carefully. In the end, poison was administered to Sultan Nasir-ud-din in his drink.
Eventually, the astrologers approached Iltutmish's chief queen. When she told Iltutmish of it, he summoned the astrologers and inquired if they could identify the slave. They affirmed they could. Iltutmish ordered a parade of his slaves, with each class presented in succession. The astrologers examined each group, stating, "We have not seen him yet."
At one o'clock in the afternoon, the water-carriers, feeling hungry, decided to send someone to the market to purchase food. After collecting money, they dispatched Balban. Meanwhile, it was the water-carriers' turn for review, but Balban had not yet returned. Balban's companions placed his water-bottle and pot on another youth's shoulders and presented him as Balban. When Balban's name was called, this youth passed before the astrologers, and the review concluded without the astrologers identifying the face they sought.
Balban returned from the market after the review had ended. Due to his abilities, Balban was later appointed chief of the water-carriers. Subsequently, he joined the army and rose to the rank of amir.
Under Iltutmish's weak successors, the Chihalgani dominated the affairs of the kingdom and divided its power and wealth among themselves. Over time, internal jealousies and dissensions arose among them. None acknowledged inferiority to another. They competed fiercely for riches and status. Balban was one of the Shamsi slaves belonging to the Forty.
Balban's Introduction to Iltutmish's Court
Balban, a Turk of the Ilbari tribe, was captured by the Mongols in his youth and taken to Baghdad. Balban's father was a chief who commanded 10,000 horses in battles against the Mongols.In 1232, the pious and learned Khwaja Jamal-ud-din of Basrah purchased Balban in Baghdad and, along with some other slaves, presented him to Sultan Iltutmish at Delhi. Iltutmish initially employed Balban as a Khaas-bardar (attendant carrying arms of his master, gun-bearer, arms carrier). Over time, Balban ascended through various positions, eventually becoming a noble.
However, Historian Isami offers a different account: Some Chinese merchants presented a group of forty Turkish slaves to Iltutmish. Among them was a young Turk whose striking appearance caught the Sultan's attention. Despite this, Iltutmish refused to purchase him, believing that, "such a person will become master of a crown at some future date, and should not remain in the capital since two crowned heads cannot remain in one realm." The rejected slave was none other than Balban, and he was subsequently returned to the merchants.
Later, the wazir Kamal Junaidi purchased Balban from the merchants and presented him once again to Iltutmish. This time, Iltutmish accepted him, remarking that, "A person who is ordained by God to rule a kingdom loses not a bit of his glory on being rejected even two hundred times."
Initially, Balban was assigned to the royal stables, where his duties included cleaning dung and grooming diseased horses. However, the Turkish courtiers advised Iltutmish that it was below the diginity of a Turk to have such a role. Consequently, Balban was promoted.
The famous Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta also recorded an account of Balban's early life. Sultan Iltutmish sent a merchant to Samarkand, Bukhara, and Turmuz to purchase slaves. The merchant returned with a hundred slaves, among whom was Balban. When they were presented to Iltutmish, he was pleased with all except Balban, whom he found unappealing. Iltutmish remarked, "I will not take this one." Balban asked, "Your Majesty, for whom have you bought these slaves?" Iltutmish laughed and replied, "For myself." Balban then said, "Then buy me for the sake of God." Amused by the young man's response, Iltutmish agreed and took him into his service, placing him among the water-carriers.
Under Raziyya Sultan and Muizz-ud-din Bahram
Balban's career continued to advance under Iltutmish's successors. During the reign of Raziyya Sultan (r: 1236-1240), Balban was promoted to the position of Amir-i-Shikar (Chief Huntsman). During Sultan Bahram's reign (r: 1240-1242), he became Amir-i-Akhur (Lord of the Stables or Master of the Horse) and acquired the provinces of Rewari and Hansi.During the Reign of Ala-ud-din Masud
Sultan Ala-ud-din Masud (r: 1242-1246) appointed Balban as Amir-i-Hajib (Lord Chamberlain).During Masud's reign, Balban led royal forces into the Doab region to quell uprisings in Jarali and Datauli.
In 1245-46, the Mongol general Manguta advanced into Sindh and laid siege to Uch. Balban prepared a military force to oppose the invasion. He advanced towards the Beas River and sent messengers carrying letters to the garrison at Uch. These messages announced the approach of the Sultan's army and described its large numbers of soldiers, cavalry, and elephants.
Some of these letters fell into Mongol hands. Upon learning of the royal army's approach, Manguta inquired some prisoners at Uch about the army's route, noting that the path along the mountain skirts was longer than the route via Sarsuti and Marut. The prisoners explained that due to the numerous islands along the river banks, there might not be a suitable road for the Sultan's vast army. When Manguta was convinced that he had not sufficient strength to withstand the royal army, he retreated.
During the Reign of Nasir-ud-din Mahmud
In 1249, Sultan Nasir-ud-din Mahmud married Balban's daughter. Following this marriage, Balban was elevated to the position of Naib-i Mamlikat, or deputy of the kingdom, with the title of Ulugh Khan. He became the defacto ruler of Dehi, while Nasir-ud-din retained the nominal title of Sultan. Balban's younger brother Kishli Khan Aibak was promoted as Amir-i-Hajib, while their cousin Sher Khan gained control over Sindh.Between 1253 and 1254, Balban was temporarily removed from his position as vizier, although he soon regained his status.
Balban played an important role in suppressing the rebellion of Nasir-ud-din's step-father Qutlugh Khan.
Balban marched his troops against Sali Noyan, who invaded Sindh in 1257. However, the Mongols withdrew upon learning of the approach of his forces.
Hulagu Khan's ambassadors were received with a grand reception in Delhi, although their visit had no significant political or diplomatic objectives. Nasir-ud-din Muhammad Karlugh, a Mongol vassal, proposed a marriage alliance between his daughter and one of Balban's sons. Balban sent a messenger with a response to Karlugh at Banian, who subsequently forwarded it to Hulagu at Iraq. Hulagu received the messenger with honour and later sent him back. Balban likewise wished to return the favour to Hulagu's emissaries. However, it remains uncertain whether this matrimonial alliance took place as historian Minhaj has not given the history of the last six years of Nasir-ud-din Mahmud.
Isami's Account of Balban
Isami notes that during Nasir-ud-din's reign, Balban was eager to possess a white parasol, a symbol of royal authority. He feigned illness and avoided the royal court for a few days. When the Sultan sent messengers to enquire about his health, Balban complained of weakness due to the heat and requested a white parasol for protection while riding. The Sultan granted his request.Another anecdote describes a bet between the sons of Nasir-ud-din and those of Balban. While drinking in a garden, Balban's sons boasted that no one in the kingdom could rival their father's intelligence and ingenuity. The princes challenged them, betting eighty gold dinars that they could trick Balban into dismounting his horse.
The next day, the four went to the field, where Balban arrived. One of the princes rode alongside Balban and intentionally dropped his whip, asking Balban to retrieve it. Balban dismounted to pick up the whip and handed it back to the prince. Having won the bet, the princes left the field rejoicing and demanded the eighty gold dinars from Balban's sons.
Upon learning of the incident, Balban grew wary of the princes, thinking "these princes who have tricked me thus, might one day seize us, imprison us and shed our blood by fraud and deceit. If we ward off the situation tactfully, we might escape falling into the world's snare."
Night and day, Balban made plans and pondered over every idea that struck him carefully. In the end, poison was administered to Sultan Nasir-ud-din in his drink.
Ibn Battuta's Account of Balban
Ibn Battuta tells an interesting story about Balban: Astrologers once warned Sultan Iltutmish that one of his slaves would eventually usurp his son and seize the throne. But, Iltutmish paid no attention to it.Eventually, the astrologers approached Iltutmish's chief queen. When she told Iltutmish of it, he summoned the astrologers and inquired if they could identify the slave. They affirmed they could. Iltutmish ordered a parade of his slaves, with each class presented in succession. The astrologers examined each group, stating, "We have not seen him yet."
At one o'clock in the afternoon, the water-carriers, feeling hungry, decided to send someone to the market to purchase food. After collecting money, they dispatched Balban. Meanwhile, it was the water-carriers' turn for review, but Balban had not yet returned. Balban's companions placed his water-bottle and pot on another youth's shoulders and presented him as Balban. When Balban's name was called, this youth passed before the astrologers, and the review concluded without the astrologers identifying the face they sought.
Balban returned from the market after the review had ended. Due to his abilities, Balban was later appointed chief of the water-carriers. Subsequently, he joined the army and rose to the rank of amir.
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