Qutbuddin Aibak

Qutbuddin Aibak

Qutbuddin Aibak

Reign - (A.D. 1206-1210)

Muhammad Ghori had no male successor to inherit his Empire, hence his nephew Ghiasuddin ascended the throne of Ghor after his death in A.D. 1206. Ghori loved his slaves very much and provided all possible opportunities to them to develop their personality. Therefore, after the death his empire was divided among his ambitious and powerful governors like Tajuddin Yaldoz, Nasiruddin Qubacha and Qutbuddin Aibak.  Those governors were virtually slaves of Muhammad Ghori who rose to prominence as military generals due to expert guidance of Aibak and their own fighting skills and organizational qualities. As Muhammad Ghori loved his slaves like his sons, they served their master with profound loyalty.  Aibak was one of his faithful and trusted slave officers. He inherited his Indian empire after the death of Muhammad Ghori.

Early Career if Aibak

Qutbuddin Aibak was born in a high family of Turkistan. Though he was ugly in appearance, he was intelligent and impressive in behavior. He was taken as a prisoner and sold to the Qazi of Nishapur named Fakhruddin as slave in his childhood. He was provided with proper education and military training by the kind-hearted Qazi but soon after the death of the Qazi, his sons sold Aibak to Muhammad Ghori. He was well versed in Islamic theology, horse riding and swordsmanship. Owing to his skill and qualities, he soon attracted the attention of his master and was appointed commander of a troop. Shortly after, he was promoted to the post of Amir-i-Akhur, the master of the royal stable. The title of Aibak was bestowed upon him by Ghori but some historians are of the opinion that he belonged to Aibak tribe of Turks which in Turkish language means ‘Lord of the Moon’. Aibak expressed his ability and valour at the time of Ghori’s invasion on India. When Ghori invaded India, Aibak came with his master and provided him his active support during wars.

Achievements of Aibak as a Commander

After second battle of Tarain, Aibak was appointed Viceroy of the conquered provinces of Ghori in India. He did yeoman service to the infant Muslim empire. Even during absence of his master he continued the series of victories and crushed the revolts of the Rajputs from A.D. 1192 to 1205. He not only organized the provinces conquered by Ghori but also extended his territory.

First of all Aibak invaded the fort of Hansi and established his sway over it. Later on, he defeated the Tomar ruler in A.D. 1193 and occupied Delhi. In the same year he achieved victory against Meerut and Bulandshahar. In  A.D.  1194, Ghori AGAIN INVADED India in order to punish Jaichand, king of Kannauj. During this invasion Aibak greatly helped his master. Ghori after achieving victory against Kannauj handed over the province o Aibak or its administration.

Among the early achievements of Aibak the suppression of the revolt of Ajmer is a significant event in the history of Medieval India. Between A.d. 1192 to 1197, the Rajputs of Delhi and Ajmer revolted against the supremacy of Ghori from time to time. Aibak crushed these revolts successfully and saved the infant Muslim empire from decline. In A.D. 1192 Hari Raj, King of Ajmer, was the first to revolt against the Muslim rule. Aibak crushed the revolt but in A.D. 1195 Hari Raj again revolted with the support of the Tomar King of Delhi. The army of Aibak could not succeed in crushing this revolt, hence Aibak himself went on this campaign and besieged the fort of Ajmer. After defeat, Hari Raj committed suicide die to remorse and the reign of Muslims was established over Ajmer. In the same year Aibak got success against the Jats and conquered the fort of Ranthambhor.

Accession of Qutbuddin Aibak

In A.D. 1206 on his way to Ghazni Ghori breathed his last. His empire was inherited by his slaves as he had no son to succeed him. Aibak who was a viceroy of his Indian empire was invited by the Amirs of Lahore to assume the powers for Ghori wanted it and already bestowed the title of Malik and Subedar on Aibak. Dr. A. L. Srivastava supports this on the basis of the writings of Fakhr-i-Mudabbir who refers to the appointment of Qutbuddin Aibak as Wali Ahd (heir apparent) after the victory against Khokhars in A.D. 1205. Professor Habibullah also writes that powers of commanding the vanquished territory were given to Qutbuddin after the second battle of Tarain but K.A. Nizami does not agree and holds a different view.

To achieve his mission he adopted the policy of matrimonial alliances. He gave away his daughter to Iltutmish and his sister to Nasiruddin Qubacha in marriage.  He himself married the daughter of Yaldoz. Thus he tried to establish sweet relations with all the powerful persons of his times so that his position could be strong. He also requested Ghiasuddin, the nephew of Ghori to recognize him as an independent ruler of India and assured him all help against the ruler of Khwarizm, Ghiasuddin accepted his request and sent him the royal insignia and standard and also bestowed on him the title of Sultan. Thus the formal manumission was granted to Aibak in A.D. 1206.

Achievements of Qutbuddin Aibak

Although Aibak was confronted with various problems of intensive nature, he faced them all with courage, bravery and farsightedness. After becoming the ruler of India he passed his time in crushing the revolts, struggling against the opponents and in solving the other problems. He ruled only for four years. He did not make fresh invasions during his reign and tried to establish law and order and to strengthen his army. He wanted to establish a separate entity of the Turkish Empire free from the politics of Central Asia. First of all he consolidated his position in Delhi and Lahore and then persuaded the Turkish nobles to recognize his sovereignty. His matrimonial policy further strengthened his position.

Death of Aibak

Aibak ruled only for four years as an independent Sultan. In A.D. 1210 while playing Chaugan (Horse Polo) he fell down from his horse and received serious head injury that ultimately resulted in his death. He was buried at Lahore.

An Assessment of Qutbuddin Aibak

In the words of Stanlely Lanepoole, “Qutbuddin Aibak was the real founder of the Muslim dominion in India.” Although the credit of the victories in India goes to Muhammad Ghori, yet Aibak was primarily responsible for the success of Sultan Ghori. The consolidation of the victories was not done by Ghori for he mostly remained away from India. It was Aibak who carried out the consolidation on behalf of Ghori and strengthened the infant Muslim empire.

Aibak was a competent soldier and a leader of the highest merit. He was a seasoned commander, a practical ruler and a successful diplomat. Aibak possessed all the good qualities which were needed in sultan. Qutbuddin was kind and benevolent to the people. He was very liberal and charitable. Besides this, he was a patron of Art and literature. He built two great mosques – one at Delhi known as Qawat-ul-Islam and the other at Ajmer called Adhai-Din-ka-Jhonpara. Qutbuddin Aibak showered patronage on the literary and learned persons of his times.

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Milan Tomic

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