Bahram Shah was the fourth ruler of the Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. He ruled from 1240 CE to 1242 CE after overthrowing Razia Sultana. His rule was weak and dominated by Turkish nobles, leading to his eventual downfall.
Basic Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bahram Shah |
| Dynasty | Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty |
| Ruled From | 1240 CE – 1242 CE |
| Predecessor | Razia Sultana |
| Successor | Alauddin Masud Shah |
| Father | Iltutmish |
| Major Challenge | Control by Turkish Nobles (Chihalgani) |
| Death | 1242 CE (Deposed and possibly killed) |
Rise to Power
- Bahram Shah was the son of Iltutmish and the half-brother of Razia Sultana.
- In 1240 CE, with the support of Turkish nobles (Chihalgani), he defeated and killed Razia Sultana.
- The nobles made him the Sultan, but he was a puppet ruler controlled by them.
Major Challenges During His Reign
1. Dominance of the Chihalgani (Group of Forty)
- The Turkish Nobles (Chihalgani) had real power and used Bahram Shah as a puppet.
- He was unable to control them, leading to political instability.
2. Revolts & Administrative Failure
- Governors of provinces started revolting due to weak central authority.
- The Mongol threat increased, but Bahram Shah failed to take action.
3. Conflict with the Naib-e-Mulk (Deputy Ruler)
- Chief Minister (Naib-e-Mulk) Ikhtiyar-ud-Din Aitigin tried to take control.
- Bahram Shah had him executed, angering the Turkish nobles.
- This weakened his support further.
Downfall & Death
- By 1242 CE, the Turkish nobles had lost confidence in Bahram Shah.
- He was removed from the throne and replaced by Alauddin Masud Shah.
- He was either imprisoned or executed by the nobles.
Significance of Bahram Shah’s Rule
- His inability to control the nobles led to instability in the Delhi Sultanate.
- His rule proved that the Sultan needed strong authority to control the Turkish nobles.
- Marked the continuation of political struggles in the Mamluk Dynasty.
Key Facts for Quick Revision
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Dynasty | Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty |
| Ruled From | 1240 CE – 1242 CE |
| Predecessor | Razia Sultana |
| Successor | Alauddin Masud Shah |
| Controlled by | Turkish Nobles (Chihalgani) |
| Death | 1242 CE (Deposed & possibly killed) |
MCQs on Bahram Shah
1. Who succeeded Razia Sultana as the ruler of Delhi?
A) Iltutmish
B) Bahram Shah
C) Alauddin Masud Shah
D) Balban
Answer: B) Bahram Shah
2. Which group controlled Bahram Shah’s rule?
A) Mongols
B) Rajputs
C) Chihalgani (Group of Forty)
D) Persian Nobles
Answer: C) Chihalgani (Group of Forty)
3. Who removed Bahram Shah from the throne?
A) Razia Sultana
B) Turkish Nobles
C) Alauddin Khalji
D) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Answer: B) Turkish Nobles
4. What led to Bahram Shah’s downfall?
A) Defeat in battle
B) Lack of control over Turkish nobles
C) Mongol invasion
D) Economic crisis
Answer: B) Lack of control over Turkish nobles
5. Who succeeded Bahram Shah after his removal?
A) Balban
B) Alauddin Masud Shah
C) Nasiruddin Mahmud
D) Muhammad Ghori
Answer: B) Alauddin Masud Shah
These notes are useful for UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, NDA, CDS, and other competitive exams covering Medieval Indian History.