Qutb-ud-din Aibak facts for kids

Quṭb al-Dīn Aibak (born 1150, died 1210) was a very important leader in India's history. He started the Mamluk Dynasty in Delhi and became the first sultan of the Delhi Sultanate. He was from the Aybak tribe in Turkestan. He ruled for only four years, from 1206 to 1210.

Early Life of Qutb al-Din Aibak

Qutb al-Din Aibak was born into a Turkish family in Central Asia. When he was a child, he was sold as a slave. This meant he was bought and sold by others. Luckily, he was bought by the chief Qazi (a judge) of Nishapur in Iran. The Qazi treated him like his own son. Qutb al-Din Aibak received a good education. He also learned important skills like archery and riding horses. After the Qazi died, his other sons sold Qutb al-Din Aibak to another slave master.

Rising to Power and Military Wins

Later, Qutb al-Din Aibak was bought by Sultan Muhammad Ghori. Ghori was the ruler of Ghor in Afghanistan. Qutb al-Din Aibak slowly became a high-ranking commander. He became a very trusted helper to Sultan Ghori.

Qutb al-Din Aibak led many military attacks in northern India. These victories helped Sultan Ghori become stronger there. After 1192, Sultan Ghori focused on Central Asia. He gave Qutb al-Din Aibak full control over the conquests in India. During these campaigns, Qutb al-Din Aibak took a lot of wealth from places he conquered. His general, Bhakthiar Khilji, also caused great damage. He destroyed the famous Nalanda university. A huge library there was burned, and it is said the fires lasted for three months.

Becoming Sultan of Delhi

Muhammad Ghori built a strong empire. It stretched across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and northern India. In 1206, Muhammad Ghori was killed in battle. After his death, Qutb al-Din Aibak crowned himself the Sultan of Delhi. He took control of the areas where he had been in charge for Sultan Ghori.

Some nobles tried to rebel against him. But Qutb al-Din Aibak made the government system stronger. This system had been started by Ghori.

Qutb al-Din Aibak began building the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque. This was one of the first Muslim buildings in Delhi. He also started building the "Adhai Din Ka Jhopra" (meaning "Shed of 2 and half days"). This mosque is in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India. Muhammad Ghori ordered its construction in 1192 CE. It was finished in 1199 CE. Later, Iltutmish made it even more beautiful in 1213 CE. Qutb al-Din Aibak started many other buildings too.

Death and Who Ruled Next

In 1210, Qutb al-Din Aibak died suddenly. He was playing polo when it happened.

He was buried in Lahore, near the Anarkali Bazaar. His successor was Shamsuddin Iltutmish. Iltutmish was also a former slave who rose to become a Sultan. This continued the Slave or Mamluk Dynasty. Iltutmish focused on solving problems in the empire. He was not as interested in expanding its territory.

Related pages

• List of notable Lahoris

Images for kids

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  The Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra mosque in Ajmer was started in 1192 and completed in 1199 by Qutb al-Din Aibak.

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  The Qutb Minar in Delhi was started by Qutb al-Din Aibak in 1199 and completed by his son-in-law Iltutmish in 1220. It is an example of the Mamluk dynasty's works.

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  Tomb of Qutb al-Din Aibak (renovated in 1970) in Anarkali Bazaar in Lahore.

See also

In Spanish: Qutb-ud-din Aibak para niños