Theory of kingship of Balban
Also called: Zil-i-Ilahi · Topic: Turkic Invasions and the Delhi Sultanate · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
This was Sultan Balban's idea of what a king should be. Balban was a 13th-century ruler of the Mamluk (Slave) dynasty. He took the idea from Persian tradition. In it, the king is Zil-i-Ilahi, "the shadow of God on earth". That made the king far above his nobles. He had to stay distant and dignified, give strict justice and keep a stern, formal court. Balban used the theory to restore respect for the throne. Before him, powerful Turkish nobles had made and unmade sultans.
Example
Balban brought Persian court customs into his court in Delhi. Visitors had to perform sijda, which meant lying flat before the king, and paibos, which meant kissing his feet. He never laughed or joked in court, so that he always looked serious and in control.
Don't confuse with
- Divine right of kings (Europe): the European idea grew out of Christian monarchy. Balban's version came from Persian Islamic tradition about kingship.
Related concepts
- Delhi Sultanate
- Mamluk dynasty
- Iltutmish
- Turkan-i-Chahalgani
- Sultan Ghari
- Raziya Sultan
- Ghiyasuddin Balban
- Sijda and paibos
- Sayyid dynasty
- Lodi dynasty