Aram Shah: Second Sultan Of Slave Dynasty

Are you looking for the detailed analysis of Aram Shah, a significant historical figure? In medieval history, the first dynasty to rule Delhi was the Slave dynasty. In Northern India, Qutb-Ud-Din Aibak, a Turkic Mamluk slave general, established the Mamluk dynasty.

The Delhi Sultanate was controlled by five separate dynasties until 1526. However, the first one was the Mamluk dynasty, which lasted from 1206 until 1290.

Aram Shah was the second sultan of this powerful dynasty. This article focuses solely on his life, and the events that shaped Delhi’s history. Continue reading to learn about this king’s reign and deeply appreciate this remarkable figure. This will be helpful for your UPSC preparation.

From the challenges he faced as a ruler to his attempts to establish a stable administration, many fascinating aspects of his reign offer a unique insight into the Delhi Sultanate’s history.

In this article, we will take a closer look at the life and reign of Aram Shah and explore the key events and developments that marked his brief but impactful time as a ruler.

Who Is Aram Shah?

Aram Shah, honoured as the Mamluk dynasty’s second sultan, was elected in 1210. The death of Qutb-Ud-Din Aibak tossed the Sultanate of Delhi amid a turbulent time, due to the issue of succession of the throne. Hence, Aram Bakhsh briefly occupied the throne.

Following this, Iltutmish of Badaun defeated him, as they fought for Delhi’s throne in 1211. He ruled Delhi’s Sultanate for a precise period of eight months only. The provincial governors benefited during the rugged reign of Aram Bakhsh and declared their independence.

His father (unclear) was Qutbuddin Aibak, whose death created chaos among his followers. It’s rather unclear how Aram Bakhsh is related to his predecessor Qutb Ud-Din Aibak.

The phrase “bin Aibak” (“son of Aibak”) appeared after his name in certain manuscripts’ chapter titles, leading other authors to conclude he was Aibak’s son. However, maybe the scribe added “bin Aibak” in error to the headline. In some context, Aibak had three daughters but no son.

Reign

1. When Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak died, he vacated the throne without the announcement of the upcoming beneficiary. This untimely death created chaos among his men and established a critical moment. A group of Turkic nobles (amirs and maliks) from the land of Lahore decided to enthrone Aram Shah as Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak’s successor.
2. Aram Baksh was the second ruler (1210-1211) who merely be on the throne for eight months under the title Aram Shah.
3. However, he was a weak and incapable monarch. The regional governors began claiming independence under his brief eight-month tenure.
4. Some of the Turkish nobles such as the Khalji nobles of Bengal didn’t agree with his ascension. Another group of military justiciar (Amir-i Dad) Ali-Yi Ismail nobles brought Iltutmish into the scenario to take over the throne.
5. The nobility thought Iltumish the governor of Badaun and an erstwhile slave of Aibak, was a worthy contender for the throne because of his remarkable service history and the fact that Aibak had named him a son.

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Demise

Iltutmish was persuaded to sit on the throne by a group of nobles. The nobility considered Iltutmish a strong contender for the crown because he was a competent person with a remarkable service record.

After advancing towards Delhi to grab power, Iltutmish went on to defeat Aram Shah’s army in Bagh-i Jud. The Tabaqat-i Nasiri claims that he was “martyred”; however, it is unclear if this meant that he was executed while a prisoner of war or murdered on the battleground.

Aqsanqar and Farrukh Shah, two of his key officers, perished in the battle zone. Later, Iltutmish solidified his dominance.

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Important Points to Remember for UPSC

1. The Mamluk Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, also referred to as the Slave Dynasty, was headed by Aram Shah, who served as its third ruler.
2. He succeeded his father, Shamsuddin Iltutmish, in 1235 AD.
3. His reign was marked by political instability, as he faced a number of revolts and challenges to his authority from various nobles and governors.
4. One of his most significant challenges came from his own mother, Shah Turkan, who sought to put her other son, Ruknuddin Firuz, on the throne instead.
5. Aram Shah’s inability to effectively deal with these challenges to his authority and maintain law and order led to a decline in the power and prestige of the Delhi Sultanate.
6. He was eventually overthrown and killed in a revolt led by his own slave, Balban, who would go on to become one of the most powerful rulers of the Delhi Sultanate.
7. Despite his short and tumultuous reign, Aram Shah’s legacy is significant for the role he played in the broader history of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mamluk Dynasty.
8. His reign also serves as an important example of the challenges and complexities of political rule in medieval India, particularly in the context of the early Islamic period.

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Conclusion

The Sultanate of Delhi became chaotic under Aram Shah’s eight-month rule, and the regional governors significantly increased their power and declared their independence. Iltutmish was therefore faced with several issues following his throne.

The legacy of Aram Shah continues to be a topic of debate among historians, as his reign was brief and largely unremarkable.

Nonetheless, his rise to power and the circumstances surrounding his overthrow shed light on the complex political dynamics of the Delhi Sultanate in the 13th century.

We have curated some important points on Aram Shah for UPSC aspirants to prepare. Read the blog carefully and prepare notes for your upcoming exam!