Contents
Razia Sultana
Ruling the Delhi Sultanate as its only female sovereign.
Rule as sultan · Independent appointments
- Born
- c. 1205
- Birthplace
- Delhi, India
- Died
- 1240
More people
Razia Sultana
Thirteenth-century ruler who held power from 1236 to 1240. Her attempts to govern independently brought her into conflict with powerful nobles.
Early life
A ruling household
Daughter of Sultan Iltutmish, she grew up within the Delhi court.
Administrative experience
Governed Delhi during her father’s absence before her own accession.
Career
- 1231–1232
Responsibility in Delhi
Administered the capital while Iltutmish was on campaign.
- 1236
Accession
Took the throne after the overthrow of her half-brother.
- 1240
Deposition and return attempt
Was removed from power and died after an unsuccessful effort to regain the throne.
Major events
Rule as sultan
Assumed sovereign authority rather than acting only as a royal consort.
Independent appointments
Appointed officials beyond the dominant Turkic noble circle.
Campaign for restoration
Attempted to recover Delhi in alliance with Altunia.
Beyond the throne
Political marriage
Married Altunia during the struggle to regain power.
Legend and evidence
Later romantic accounts embellish a life whose surviving medieval evidence is limited.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and references ↗Biography and contributions ↗Photo: Unknown author Unknown author — nineteenth-century depiction. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
