Qutb-ud-din Aibak

Who was Qutb-ud-din Aibak?

Qutb-ud-din Aibak was a Turkic king of Northwest India who ruled from his capital in Delhi where he built the Qutub Minar and the Quwwat Al Islam mosque. He was of Turkic descent from central Asia, the first Sultan of Delhi and founder of the Ghulam dynasty of India. He ruled for only four years, from 1206 to 1210 AD. He died while playing polo in Lahore.

Qutb-ud-din Aibak ruled for four years until he had a fatal accident while playing chaugan. His horse fell and he was impaled on the pommel of his saddle. His early death prevented him completing his plans for organizing his kingdom and establishing a sound administration. He built the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque in Delhi and the Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra mosque in Ajmer. He started the construction of Qutb Minar in Delhi, which is dedicated to a famous Sufi Saint of the time, Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki. After he died, the minar was completed by his successor, Iltutmish. He is also remembered as lakhbaksh or giver of lakhs, because of his generosity.