The Legacy of Muslim Rule in India c8.s2.13

c8.s2.13

Before closing the discussion on the Caliphs status in the eyes of the Delhi Sultans, an often-asked question may be attempted to be answered. Did the Caliphal recognition make the Sultanate of Delhi subservient to the Caliphs? Although it would be difficult to subscribe to the view that by receiving a formal Caliphal investiture, Iltutmish had made the Delhi Sultanate a direct vassal of the Caliphate,⁷³ yet as Firoz Tughlaq admitted, the Indian sultans were convinced that it is by the Caliphs sanction that the power of the kings is assured; and no king is secure until he has submitted himself to the Khalifa. No wonder none of the sultans who ruled between Iltutmish and the later Tughlaqs repudiated this legal vassalage with the inexplicable exception of Mubarak Khalji. They all claimed to be the lieutenants of the Caliph, the supreme head of the world of Islam. Allegiance to the Caliph by Indias Muslim kings gave the Khalifa prestige and wealth. It gave the Indian Sultans, many of whom were originally slaves, a status of honour in the Muslim world and satisfied the formalities of Muslim law.⁷⁴ Moreover, inclusion of the Caliphs name in the *khutba*, endeared the sultan to his Muslim subjects.⁷⁵ Besides, the way in which Caliphal envoys and investitures were received, indicates that this was not just lip subservience, and the extra-territorial allegiance to the Caliph provided a very strong moral and legal basis of political power to the Muslim regime in India. Timurs name and *Institutes* provided similar legitimacy and strength to Mughal emperors.