Qutb-ud-din Aibak

Qutb-ud-din Aibak began his career as Malik or Sipahasalar under Muhammad Ghori. His chief exploits were achieved in his viceroyalty only. After Delhi, Ranathambore and Koil fell. He led the Ghorian army to Benaras and sacked it in 1194. After this triumph Sultan Muhammad Ghori returned to Ghazani and Qutb-ud-din Aibak suppressed the revolt of vassal raja of Ajmer. He conquered Gwalior and compelled Raja Solankhpal to pay tribute (1196).

In 1197, he was able to defeat the Raja of Anhilwara and Kingdom of Gujarat which was not won by Muhammad Ghori was won by Qutb-ud-din Aibak. The Chandelas fell in 1202, before Qutb-ud-din Aibak attacked them.

• The reign of Qutb-ud-din Aibak was a short one of 4 years. In 1210, when he was playing Chaugan, fell from Horse and died at Lahore.
• Qutb-ud-din Aibak was known as Lakha Baksh Sultan after his generosity.
• He laid the foundation of the Qutub Minar and named it not after his own name but after the name of a Sufi saint Khwaja Qutb-ud-din Bakhtiyar Kaki.
• Qutub Minar was later finished by Iltutmish
• The Quwwat Al Islam mosque was commissioned by him.
• His tomb is located in Anarkali Bajar at Lahore.
• His successor Iltutmish was his son in law.

Meanwhile Bakhtiyar Khilji who was one more slave of Muhammad Ghori raided the oldest universities of the world i.e. Nalanda and Vikramshila in 1193. At Nalanda he is said to have committed execution of the Buddhist monks and many of the monks were burnt alive and beheaded. Bengal’s ruler Lakshaman Sen was defeated and Bakhtiyar made Lakhnauti his capital.