Ghiyas ud din Balban (1266–1287) was the ninth sultan of the Mamluk dynasty of Delhi. Balban was born in a Turkish family of Ilbari Tribe. He was kidnapped by the Mongols in his early youth and was sold to a slave trader who took him to Delhi where he was purchased by Iltutmish. During his stay at Delhi, Iltutmish was very much impressed by the intelligence and ability of Balban and enrolled him as a member of the famous corps of the forty slaves. When Razia Begam became the ruler, Balban was appointed as the Lord of the Hunt. When Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud became the king, Balban worked as the prime minister for 20 years. Then for next 20 years, he worked as the de-facto Sultan.
Balban's reign, according to Ziauddin Barani, was to install "Fear of the governing power, which is the basis of all good government." Furthermore, he "maintained that the Sultan was the 'shadow of God' and introduced rigorous court discipline." He routed the Mewatis that harassed Delhi and reconquered Bengal, all while successfully facing the Mongol threat, a struggle that spent his son and heir's life.
During his reign, Balban ruled with an iron fist. He broke up the 'Chahalgani', a group of the forty most important nobles in the court. Balban wanted to make sure everyone was loyal to the crown by establishing an efficient espionage system. Balban re-organized his army and made it strong and efficient as it was the main pillar of his despotic government. During the reign of him, Some severe rebellions took place which he put down with a strong hand.
It was Balban who saved the country from the frequent Mongol raids. He consolidated the empire by bringing Rajput States to the fold of Sultanate of Delhi and by rendering a good administration. Dr. Iswari Prasad has remarked further that the successful career of conquest of the great Ala-ud-din was possible because of the consolidation work of Balban. Balban was also a great patron of learning and education. The great Persian poet Amir Khusru and Amir Hosan flourished during his time. But Balban was often harsh and cruel. He had great hatred for Indian Muslims and appointed the men of Turkish origin in army.
Thus Balban became the second sultan after Iltumish and able to die of natural cause, which itself was a rare and so far only Iltumish was able to achieve the fate.
Balban's heir was his older son, Prince Muhammad Khan, but he perished in a battle against the Mongols on 9 March 1285. His other son, Bughra Khan, was reluctant to assume the throne, and sought to remain the ruler of Bengal instead. Balban, therefore, chose his grandson, kai khusru son of mahammad, as heir apparent. However, after his death his nobles nominated Qaiqubad as Sultan.
This is a silver tanka from Dehli.
Obv: al imam legand with caliph al Mustasim al imam al Mustasim al mu minin
Rev:Al sultan al azam Ghiyath al dunya wal din abul muzaffar balban al sultan
Wt :10.80 gm
Ref: D157
This is a bilingual copper 2 gani from Lahore
Obv Al Sultan Al Azim ghiyath al dunya wal din (The Sultan, The Magnificent Giyath Aid/Relief (of) the World and (of) the Faith)
Rev: Balban in center, Sri Sultan Gaysadin in nagari in margin
Dia: 15 mm
Wt : 3.8 gm
Ref: D165
This is a copper paika of 40 rati
Obv:al sultan al a zam
Rev: Ghiyath al dunya wal din
Wt : 4.38 gm
Ref: D167
This is a copper paika of 32 rati
Wt :2.9 grams
Obv:al sultan al a zam
Rev: Ghiyath al dunya wal din
Ref: D168
Similar to D167 but lighter
This is a copper Adli from Dehli
Obv: Adl Giyathi
Rev: Hazrat Dehli
Wt : 1.85 gm`
Ref: D170
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