(According to one source, Iltumish's eldest son had initially been groomed as his successor, but had died prematurely.) But the Muslim nobility had no intention of acceding to Iltutmish's appointment of a woman as heir, and after the sultan died on April 29, 1236, Razia's brother, Rukn ud din Firuz, was elevated to the throne instead. Razia was the first and last women ruler of Delhi Sultnate. Iltutmish became the first sultan to appoint a woman as his successor when he designated his daughter Razia as his heir apparent. Razia (also called Radiyya or Raziyya) succeeded her father Shams-ud-din Iltutmish to the Sultanate of Delhi in 1236.
For this they used a tactic and tried to make a scandal of her with the Abyssinian slave, Jalaluddin Yakut whom she had promoted amir akhur (master of the royal stable). The selfish Turkish nobles, wanted to disgrace Razia in the eyes of people. She reshuffled many provincial governors and sent new officers to take charge of the important Iqtas.
In order to break the monopoly of power of the Turkish nobles, she began to offer high offices to capable non- Turks as well. Khwaja Muhazzabuddin, previously the naib wazir under Rukhnuddin, was promoted to be the wazir. She rewarded those who had stood by her, and gave rapid promotions to her favorites. She refused to fall under the dominating influence of the Shamsi nobles. Razia strengthened her position as an independent ruler. She proved to be the first and last Sultan of Delhi. Razia’s reign lasted about three years and a half.
The unpopularity and incompetence of Rukhnuddin afforded her an opportunity to emerge from behind the veil. After the death of Iltutmish, Razia’s claim to the throne was brushed aside and Rukhnuddin was put on the throne. The Turkish nobility however thought it below their dignity to be governed by a woman. Her father was unmindful of the Islamic traditions and ridicule of the Ulema, nominated her to succeed him to the throne. She possessed all the qualities befitting a ruler.
#WHO IS THE FATHER OF RAZIA SULTAN FREE#
Free from all social prejudices of the day, razia used to attend the court of her father like other princes and acquired sufficient experience in statecraft in her youth. She received training in horse riding, shooting and swordsmanship. She was brought up by Iltutmish like a son. Razia was a highly educated lady of courage and foresight. As her brother was lazy and engaged in sensual pleasures and failed to rule properly. Razia the daughter of Iltutmish, succeeded her half brother Rukhnuddin Firoz Shah as the Sultan of Delhi.