History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c14.3

c14.3

According to most of the jurists and historians the Imām or Khalīfā was the head of the Muslims. He was the defender and maintainer of the faith, "the protector of the territory of Islam, the supreme judge of the state, and the chief organiser and administrator of the commonwealth".¹ Since the Caliph was the head of the Muslim state his authority was acknowledged in far-off lands ruled by Muslim monarchs. The early Sultans of Delhi, like Iltutmish, professed to derive their position, privileges, and status from him. Such was the awe and reverence associated with the name of Khalīfā that the name of Al Musta'sim Billah continued to be inscribed on the coins of Jalāluddīn Khaljī till the year 1296, although the above named Khalifa had been murdered by the Mughals in 1258.²