Biography of Razia Sultana
Razia Sultana was the sultan of Delhi for the period between 1236 to 1240. She was the daughter of Iltutmish. She was born in 1205 A.D.
Iltutmish was succeeded by his son, Rukn-ud-din Firoz, who proved to be most weak and incapable of leasing insurgencies in various parts of the empire. Soon he was removed from power and his sister, Razia Sultana, ascended the throne of Delhi ? the only woman to ever do so – with the support of certain courtiers.
Razia Sultana gave up the purdah and proved her mettle in diplomacy, administration and warfare. She attended the court regularly, rode horses, was a deft hunter and led forces in wars.
During her reign conflicts raised head between royals and Turkish aristocrats, the latter known as the Forty or Bandagan-i-Chahalgani.
Even Iltutmish held this power, centre in high esteem. Razia Sultana was keen on curbing their powers and started appointing non-Turks in state posts, thus forming her own coterie. Naturally, the aristocrats resented it and rebelled against her. Sultana Razia was defeated and killed in 1240 A.D.
