Qutub-ud-din Aibak, The Forty (Chahalgani), Sijda and Paibos, Iqta System.
1. Qutub-ud-din Aibak (1206–1210)
Aibak was the first Sultan and the founder of the Slave Dynasty. A former slave of Muhammad Ghori, he was known as 'Lakh Baksh' (giver of lakhs) due to his generosity. He started the construction of the Qutub Minar and built the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque in Delhi. His short reign was spent mostly in military consolidation.
2. The Forty (Turkan-i-Chahalgani)
Established by Iltutmish, this was a select body of 40 loyal Turkish slave-officers. They held the highest positions in the military and administration. While they helped Iltutmish stabilize the empire, they became a "king-making" power-block after his death, eventually being destroyed by Balban to restore the Sultan's authority.
3. Sijda and Paibos
These were Persian court etiquettes introduced by Balban to boost the prestige of the Sultan:
- Sijda: Prostrating before the Sultan.
- Paibos: Kissing the Sultan’s feet.
By forcing the high-ranking Turkish nobles to perform these acts, Balban proved that the Sultan was Zil-i-Ilahi (Shadow of God) and significantly above the nobility.
4. Iqta System
This was the backbone of the Sultanate’s administration, institutionalized by Iltutmish:
- Definition: The empire was divided into Iqtas (land parcels) given to officers (Iqtadars) in lieu of cash salaries.
- Function: Iqtadars collected land revenue, maintained a fixed number of troops for the Sultan, and kept the remaining surplus for their own expenses. It was a transferable post, preventing the rise of hereditary feudal lords.