Delhi’s history is often synonymous with the grandeur of the Mughal Empire, but before Babur’s conquest in 1526, the city was a thriving hub of powerful dynasties that shaped its landscape, culture, and architecture. These forgotten kingdoms tell a story of conquests, alliances, and innovations that laid the foundation for Delhi’s transformation into a grand capital.
Who Ruled Delhi Before the Mughals?
Many dynasties ruled over Delhi, each leaving an indelible mark. Before the Mughals, the region saw the dominance of the Tomaras, Chauhans, Mamluks (Slave Dynasty), Khaljis, Tughlaqs, Sayyids, and Lodis. Their legacies live on in Delhi’s historical ruins, age-old traditions, and even in the names of places that trace their origins to these eras.
Tomaras (736-1151 CE): The First Builders of Delhi
Long before Delhi became the seat of grand empires, the Tomara Rajputs laid its earliest foundations. Their reign saw the construction of Lal Kot, the city’s first known fortification, marking the emergence of Delhi as a significant political center. The Tomaras ruled for over four centuries, shaping the region before being overtaken by the Chauhans.
Intriguing Highlights
🔹 A City Begins to Rise: While today’s Delhi is a sprawling metropolis, in the 8th century, it was a fledgling city fortified by the Tomaras. Lal Kot, built by Anangpal Tomar I, is considered the first defensive structure of Delhi, signifying its growing importance.
🔹 A Lost Legacy in Stone: Though Qila Rai Pithora and the Red Fort later became Delhi’s more famous citadels, the remnants of Lal Kot still stand in Mehrauli—silent yet powerful reminders of an era long past. Next time you walk through the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, look closely at the ancient walls—you’re standing where Delhi’s first rulers once walked.
🔹 The Iron Pillar Connection: Anangpal Tomar II is credited with re-erecting the famous Iron Pillar of Delhi (now in the Qutub Complex). The pillar’s Sanskrit inscription still bears his name, linking the Tomaras to an even more ancient past.
Chauhans (1151-1192 CE): The Era of Prithviraj Chauhan
After the Tomaras, the Chauhans of Ajmer, led by Prithviraj Chauhan, took control of Delhi. They expanded Lal Kot, fortifying it further into what became known as Qila Rai Pithora, establishing Delhi as a military stronghold against foreign invasions.
Intriguing Highlights
🔹 Prithviraj Chauhan – The Warrior King: Known for his legendary battles against Muhammad Ghori, Prithviraj Chauhan’s rule was marked by both military valor and poetic brilliance. Folklore speaks of his extraordinary archery skills, famously demonstrated in the “Blind Archery” tale after he was captured by Ghori.
🔹 Qila Rai Pithora – Delhi’s First Expansive Fort: While Lal Kot was the first fort, Qila Rai Pithora transformed Delhi into a walled city. You can still find the ruins of this massive structure in present-day Saket and Mehrauli, standing as a testament to Delhi’s Rajput past.
🔹 The Battle of Tarain (1191 & 1192): In the first battle, Prithviraj Chauhan defeated Muhammad Ghori, but fate took a turn in the second, when Ghori returned and emerged victorious, marking the beginning of the Delhi Sultanate era. This battle changed the course of Delhi’s history forever.
The Slave Dynasty (1206-1290 CE): The Foundation of the Delhi Sultanate
With Muhammad Ghori’s conquest, his general Qutb-ud-din Aibak became Delhi’s first Sultan, establishing the Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty. This was the first of the five dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate, bringing Persian influences, new architectural wonders, and a shift in governance.
Intriguing Highlights
🔹 The Rise of Qutb-ud-din Aibak: A former slave turned ruler, Aibak commissioned the Qutub Minar, a structure that still dominates Delhi’s skyline. The Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque in India, was built using materials from dismantled Hindu and Jain temples, reflecting a fusion of cultures.
🔹 Iltutmish – Delhi’s True Architect: The most powerful of the Slave Dynasty rulers, Iltutmish, formally structured Delhi’s administration. He introduced the Iqta system (land revenue system) and established Delhi as the capital of the empire.
🔹 Razia Sultana – Delhi’s First Female Ruler: Breaking gender norms in a male-dominated world, Razia Sultana ruled Delhi with remarkable intelligence and courage. Her brief but impactful reign remains legendary, and her tomb in Old Delhi remains a hidden gem worth exploring.
The Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 CE): Five Dynasties, One Powerhouse
The Delhi Sultanate was established after the Ghurid conquest, leading to a series of dynasties that controlled Delhi over three centuries.
The Mamluks (1206-1290 CE): The Slave Dynasty That Shaped Delhi
The Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty marked the beginning of the Delhi Sultanate, with Qutb-ud-din Aibak, a former slave of Muhammad Ghori, becoming Delhi’s first Sultan. Despite its name, this dynasty wasn’t weak—its rulers laid the foundation of Delhi’s grandeur, both architecturally and administratively.
Intriguing Highlights
🔹 Qutb-ud-din Aibak – From Slave to Sultan: Aibak’s rise from a slave to the ruler of Delhi is one of the most remarkable success stories in medieval history. His leadership set the tone for the next 300 years of Sultanate rule.
🔹 The Qutub Minar – A Monument of Many Hands: Though Qutb-ud-din Aibak initiated the construction of Qutub Minar, it was his successors, Iltutmish and Firoz Shah Tughlaq, who completed it. Each tier of the 73-meter-high minaret reflects the evolving architectural styles of different rulers.
🔹 Aibak’s Sudden End: Unlike most rulers who met their fate in battle, Qutb-ud-din Aibak died in a freak accident while playing polo (a sport reserved for nobility), falling from his horse. His unexpected death paved the way for Iltutmish, who went on to establish a more structured administration.
🔹 A Forgotten Ruler’s Tomb: Unlike grand tombs of later rulers, Qutb-ud-din Aibak’s tomb in Lahore is a simple structure, often overlooked in history. If you ever visit, you’ll find an unassuming yet historically rich monument honoring Delhi’s first Sultan.
The Khilji Dynasty (1290-1320 CE): The Era of Expansion & Reforms
With the overthrow of the Slave Dynasty, the Khiljis took charge. Alauddin Khilji, the most famous Khilji ruler, expanded Delhi’s influence beyond North India and implemented strict economic reforms.
Intriguing Highlights
🔹 Alauddin Khilji – The Conqueror of Hindustan: He repelled Mongol invasions, conquered Gujarat, and even sent expeditions to the south. His army looted Devagiri, Warangal, and Madurai, bringing immense wealth to Delhi.
🔹 The All-Seeing Market Reforms: Khilji’s economic policies controlled grain prices, ensuring Delhi never faced a food shortage—a strategy that made him immensely popular among the common people.
🔹 The Padmavati Legend: The controversial tale of Queen Padmavati and Alauddin Khilji, popularized by literature and cinema, remains a blend of history and folklore. While historians debate its accuracy, it adds an element of intrigue to Khilji’s rule.
The Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414 CE): Madness or Brilliance?
The Tughlaqs brought architectural marvels, but also some of the most bizarre decisions in Delhi’s history. Muhammad bin Tughlaq, known for shifting the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad, is both admired and ridiculed for his ambitious policies.
Intriguing Highlights
🔹 Tughlaqabad – The Cursed Fort: Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq’s capital, Tughlaqabad Fort, was meant to be an unbreakable fortress. However, legend has it that a curse from the Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya doomed it to ruin. Even today, the fort lies abandoned, adding to Delhi’s eerie historical sites.
🔹 The Capital That Moved: Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s infamous decision to shift the capital to Daulatabad (in Maharashtra) led to immense hardship, with many perishing during the forced migration. Within a few years, he reversed the decision, earning him a reputation as an eccentric genius.
🔹 Firoz Shah Tughlaq – The Restorer of Delhi: Unlike his predecessors, Firoz Shah Tughlaq focused on infrastructure, constructing Firoz Shah Kotla, a fort that still stands today. He also brought Ashokan pillars from other parts of India to Delhi, preserving relics of an even older past.
The Sayyids & Lodis (1414-1526 CE): The Decline of the Sultanate
As Delhi fell into disarray, the Sayyids and Lodis struggled to maintain control. Ultimately, Ibrahim Lodi faced Babur in the First Battle of Panipat (1526), leading to the fall of the Sultanate and the rise of the Mughal Empire.
Intriguing Highlights
🔹 The Lost Sayyid Dynasty: Often overlooked in history books, the Sayyid rulers had little power and primarily relied on alliances with nobles to survive. They were eventually displaced by the Lodis, the last Afghan rulers of Delhi.
🔹 The Lodi Garden Connection: The famous Lodi Gardens in Delhi house the mausoleums of Sikandar Lodi and other rulers from this period. A visit here is like stepping back into a forgotten chapter of Delhi’s past.
🔹 The Battle That Changed Everything: The First Battle of Panipat (1526) wasn’t just a battle—it was a clash of old and new military tactics. Babur’s cannons and gunpowder weapons decimated Ibrahim Lodi’s forces, marking the beginning of Mughal rule in India.
Delhi Before the Mughals: A Legacy That Still Echoes
Each dynasty left its mark on Delhi—not just in history books, but in its monuments, streets, and legends. From the forgotten ruins of Lal Kot to the mighty Qutub Minar, echoes of these rulers still linger.
Next time you walk through Mehrauli, Tughlaqabad, or Old Delhi, remember—you’re standing where centuries of kings and warriors once ruled, fought, and dreamed.
FAQs
1. What are the oldest remains of pre-Mughal Delhi?
The Lal Kot fortifications in Mehrauli and Qila Rai Pithora are among the oldest surviving structures from pre-Mughal times.
2. Which is the least-known but significant fort from this period?
Siri Fort—built by Alauddin Khalji—played a crucial role in defending Delhi from Mongol invasions, but today, it remains lesser known compared to other forts.
3. How did the Delhi Sultanate influence Mughal rule?
The administrative and architectural foundations laid by the Delhi Sultanate greatly influenced Mughal policies, city planning, and governance structures.
4. Are there any haunted places linked to these dynasties?
Yes! Tughlaqabad Fort is said to be cursed, and locals believe it remains haunted by the curse of Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya.
5. Can I visit these historical sites today?
Absolutely! Most of these sites, including Qutub Minar, Lodhi Gardens, and Tughlaqabad Fort, are open to the public and provide a fascinating glimpse into Delhi’s forgotten past.