The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c11.41

c11.41

Internal security having thus been restored, the stage seemed set for the resumption of expansionist wars at the expense of Hindu states. Iltutmish’s attempts pointed to this policy. The cessation of offensive action, following his death, had encouraged Hindu aggression; a counter-offensive seemed clearly called for. Balban’s experience and realism, however, dictated a different policy. Internal disorders in the recent past demonstrated what was concealed to the pioneer Iltutmish, namely, the incomplete nature of the state organization. A dynastic, absolutist kingship was yet to take firm root in Delhi; the autonomy of the provincial governors tended to nullify central authority; and the administrative machinery still showed signs of improvisation. Annexation of newer territories was in the circumstances bound to create problems and involve strains which would be far beyond the organisational capacity of the Sultanate to endure. Even in the administered area itself, the process of conquest and pacification had by no means ended. Armed Hindu resistance still continued to be a major problem and promised to consume the state’s available resources. The Mongol threat, above all, was a powerful deterrent to any action likely to weaken the frontier defences. As will be shown in a later chapter, their military and political pressure pushed the Delhi frontier back to the Beas. Lahore formed the Mongol sphere of influence while Multan and Sind were subject to recurring attacks. Balban strove hard to appease them, exchanged friendly envoys and only as a last resort had recourse to armed defence. Like Iltutmish in the early years of his reign, Balban also found his hands tied by defence problems. A new problem was the serious shortage of Turkish man-power in India, caused by the Mongols severing Delhi's contact with Turkestan. Employment of the military personnel simultaneously on two fronts was now possible only by associating men of other races in running the state. To do that would mean undermining the state's racial basis to which, as will be explained later, Balban was, however, deeply committed.