Which are the five families of the Delhi Sultanate?

The five families or dynasties that ruled the Delhi Sultanate were the Mamluk, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi dynasties.

1. Mamluk (Slave) Dynasty (1206–1290)

• Founded by Qutb-ud-din Aibak.
• Called “Slave Dynasty” because many rulers had been slaves before becoming kings.
• Iltutmish and Balban were important rulers.

2. Khilji Dynasty (1290–1320)

• Founded by Jalal-ud-din Khilji.
• Alauddin Khilji was the most famous ruler. He expanded the empire and introduced market reforms.
• Fought against Mongol invasions successfully.

3. Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414)

• Founded by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq.
• Muhammad bin Tughlaq is known for his ambitious but often failed experiments, like moving the capital to Daulatabad and introducing token currency.
• Firoz Shah Tughlaq was known for building canals and towns.

4. Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451)

• Weaker dynasty, mostly ruled only around Delhi.
• Depended on nobles and the Timurids for support.
• Considered a transitional period between the Tughlaqs and Lodis.

5. Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526)

• Founded by Bahlul Lodi.
• Ibrahim Lodi, the last ruler, was defeated by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat (1526).
• This marked the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the beginning of the Mughal Empire.

Importance of These Families

Together, these five dynasties ruled Delhi for over 300 years. They shaped India’s political system, economy, architecture, and culture during the medieval period.

Conclusion: The five families of the Delhi Sultanate were the Mamluk, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi dynasties. Each dynasty left its own mark on Indian history before the Mughals took over.