“A lioness among the jackals”….”a daughter to be proud of”..

In the 13th century Sultan Mamluk Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish had groomed his eldest son Nasiruddin Mahmud to be his successor, but his son died unexpectedly in 1229.

According to historian Minhaj-i-Siraj, Iltutmish believed that his other sons were absorbed in pleasurable activities, and would be incapable of managing the state affairs after his death. While leaving for his Gwalior campaigin in 1231, Iltutmish left his daughter Razia (Popularly known as RAZIA SULTANA) as in-charge of Delhi’s administration. Razia performed her duties so well that after returning to Delhi, Iltutmish decided to name her as his successor.

Iltutmish ordered his officer mushrif-i mamlakat Tajul Mulk Mahmud Dabir to prepare a decree naming Razia as the heir apparent. When his nobles questioned this decision on the basis that he had surviving sons, Iltutmish replied that Razia was more capable than his sons.

What made Razia a sultana? Was it her fathers unconditional love, his blind faith in his daughter or the will of Razia Sulatana to prove her might to become the first ruler of India. Being surrounded by a male dominant society, she had the audacity to put forward her own character and strength to the ultimate test.

Razia administered Delhi during 1231-1232 when her father was busy in the Gwalior campaign. According to a possibly apocryphal legend, impressed by her performance during this period, Iltutmish nominated Razia as his heir apparent after returning to Delhi. Iltutmish was succeeded by Razia’s half-brother Ruknuddin Firuz, whose mother Shah Turkan planned to execute her. During a rebellion against Ruknuddin, Razia instigated the general public against Shah Turkan, and ascended the throne after Ruknuddin was deposed in 1236.

Her famous words to her followers were so strong that they swore to their life to protect her and follow her lead. She had said ” IF I FAIL TO EXECUTE WHAT I PROMISED, YOU CAN ALL DISPOSE ME “

14th century text Futuh-us-Salatin,

Razia’s ascension to the throne of Delhi was unique not only because she was a woman, but also because the support from the general public was the driving force behind her appointment.

Razia’s ascension was challenged by a section of nobles, some of whom ultimately joined her, while the others were defeated. The Turkic nobles who supported her expected her to be a figurehead, but she increasingly asserted her power. This, combined with her appointments of non-Turkic officers to important posts, led to their resentment against her. She was deposed by a group of nobles in April 1240, after having ruled for less than 4 years. She married one of the rebels – Ikhtiyaruddin Altunia – and attempted to regain the throne, but was defeated by her half-brother and successor Muizuddin Bahram in October that year, and was killed shortly after.

RAZIA SULTANA not only conquered the heart of her beloved father, but she assented to the highest laurette of her time. Perhaps it was a relation with her father which generated the characteristic features of bravery and self determination in her.

Her story was taken as the base of famous bollywood movie after her name RAZIA SULTANA enacted by the dream girl HEMA MALINI, but was more of a dramatization of her love story.

A journey although ended on a sad conclusion, it was one of the best exemplars of a sound relation based on trust between A FATHER and his DAUGHTER….

Ae dile nadaan, ae dile naadaan. Aarzo kya hai, justaju kya hai……

Oh my wandering heart, oh my wandering heart, what is that wish, what is that want….

razia sultana.

#Father#Ruler#Daughter#Succesor#Male#Dominance#Will#Courage#Relation.