Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Balban
Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Balban ascended the throne of Delhi after the death of Sultan Nasiruddin in 1266 A.D. In his early life he served as a slave of Iltutmish and was included among the famous ‘Forty?. He rose into great eminence during the weak rule of Nasiruddin and became de facto ruler of the State.
Restoration of internal order
Towards the beginning of his reign Ghiyas-ud-din Balban had to face more than one revolt. The Mewatis of Rajputana rose up in defiance of his authority.
Sultan Balban met the rebels and suppressed them with a strong hand. The Governor of Bengal rose up in revolt soon after. The two successive divisions of Imperial armies sent out from Delhi failed to check the revolt. At length the Sultan Balban himself took up the command of the army and the third expedition proved a success. The rebel Governor was hunted out and killed by order of Sultan Balban and a large number of his followers were executed. After having wrecked his vengeance, Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Balban returned to Delhi in triumph, leaving the administration of Bengal to the charge of his second son.
His services to Sultanate
Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Balban was very strict and impartial in administering justice. He brought peace out of chaos. His government was on the whole fair and efficient. He kept close vigilance over the doings of his officials and took pain to see that right types of officers were appointed.
Mongol danger was ever present and Sultan Balban kept his army trained and disciplined to the highest pitch of efficiency. Re-fortification of Lahore was made and Balban’s cousin Sher Khan Sunqar was ever ready to meet the attack. Sunqar was a brave warrior but he was poisoned to death. In 1285 the Mongols invaded the Punjab. Balban’s eldest son, Prince Muhammad, at once proceeded to meet the invader, but he was killed in an ambush, while fighting the Mongols. This gave a terrible shock and the old Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Balban who died in 1287.
