Ruling period of Balban?
VerifiedAnswer: 1266-1286
Explanation:
Ghiyas-ud-din Balban ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1266 to 1286, marking a significant period of twenty years in medieval Indian history. He belonged to the group of Turkish nobles known as the "Chalisa" or the Forty, who served under Sultan Iltutmish and later gained prominence during the reign of Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud.
Before becoming the Sultan, Balban served as the regent and prime minister (Naib) to Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud from 1246 to 1266. During this period, he effectively controlled the administration and military affairs of the sultanate. When Sultan Nasiruddin Mahmud died in 1266, Balban ascended to the throne and established himself as one of the most powerful rulers of the Delhi Sultanate.
During his two-decade rule, Balban focused on strengthening the central authority and eliminating internal rebellions. He successfully suppressed the power of the Turkish nobles who had become too influential and posed a threat to royal authority. His reign was characterized by strict administrative reforms, military campaigns against rebellious governors, and efforts to secure the northern and western frontiers of the sultanate from Mongol invasions.
Balban's rule came to an end with his death in 1286, after which the sultanate faced a period of instability. His policies of maintaining royal dignity, implementing the theory of kingship, and establishing a strong spy network had lasting impacts on the Delhi Sultanate's administrative structure. The period from 1266 to 1286 is remembered as a time when the sultanate achieved greater political stability and territorial consolidation under his firm leadership.
