A. Akbar the great
B. Ala-ud-din Khilji
C. Muhammad Tughluk
D. Ghiyasuddin Balban

Submitted by: Mansoor Ahmed Suhag

Ghiyasuddin Balban (AD 1266–1286)

Ghiyasuddin Balban was an experienced and capable ruler. He was known for his strong policies to strengthen his position as the king. He defended his kingdom from the Mongol invasions in the north-west borders and from internal rebellions. He was the ninth sultan of the Mamluk dynasty of Delhi. Ghiyas ud Din was the wazir and heir of the last Shamsi Sultan, Nasir ud-Din.

He made the monarchy absolute and all powerful. He believed in the theory of Divine Kingship which regards the kings as the representative of God on earth. Balban called himself ‘ Naib-i-khuda’ or ‘ Deputy of God’. He introduced the Persian customs of Sijda and Poibos. His successors were however very weak and worthless. At last, he died in AD 1286.