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Qutbuddin Aibak is known in history as the founder of the slave dynasty and it is believed that the dynasty derives its name from Qutbuddin who was originally a slave. But it is also true that before accession, Qutbuddin had received the letter of manumission from his master (Mohammad Ghori) and came to accession as an independent ruler. When Mohammad Ghori died in 1206 A.D., he left no male heir to succeed him. So it was the desire of Mohammad Ghori, that Qutbuddin succeeded him and his formal accession took place on 24th June, 1206.
He was endowed with many laudable qualities of heart and soul, and surpassed his contemporaries both in East and West in his liberality, beneficence and gallantry. He was well acquainted with the principles of civil administration and was an expert in military affairs. He was a great warrior and a man of infinite courage. He rose to the position of power and glory by the sheer dint of merit and effort. Before coming to power, he proved so faithful to his master, that he was appointed a commander of a section of the army of his master. He rendered many valuable services to his master during his Indian expeditions. In order to strengthen his own position, Qutbuddin entered into matrimonial alliances with important personalities. He himself married the daughter of Tajuddin Yildiz. He married his sister to Nasiruddin Qabacha. To Iltutmish he married his daughter.
After coming to power, Qutbuddin had to face many challenges, in order to keep his position intact. Turkish officers could not be trusted as they were all jealoused of his power. The Rajputs were also a huge threat, who were defeated and the sovereignty of North India was snatched away from their hands by the Turks, so they were fighting against the Turks at different places. The distant provinces whish were captured by Turks, were not under complete control of Qutbuddin, as was the case with Bengal. Qutbuddin faced all these difficulties with determination. He first strengthened his position in Delhi and Lahore and then the most of Turkish nobles were persuaded to accept his subordination. He stubbornly refused to accept the over lordship of Yildis, turned him out of Punjab and saved his infant kingdom from the politics of Central Asia. Thus, both by diplomacy and force, he succeeded in maintaining separate and independent status of the Delhi Sultanate. Qutbuddin could not pursue the policy of extension of his kingdom. He could not pay due attention even towards the Rajputs who succeeded in recovering some of their territories from the Turks. Mostly he remained busy in defending his independent position. That is why he remained mostly at Lahore instead of Delhi. He got very little time as an independent ruler. While playing Chaughan (horse polo), he fell from his horse and soon died in 1210 A.D. he was buried at Lahore and a simple monument was raised over his grave.