The Sultanate of Delhi, 711–1526 A.D. c7.s2.2

c7.s2.2

*Powers of the king* : The monarchs of this period were absolute or despotic rulers. It was widely believed that the king was God's representative on earth and was, therefore, superior in power and intelligence to other people. There were, however, some critics of the divine right theory. The king's powers were restricted only by well-established laws and traditions and by the fear of a rebellion on the part of the people. He was the chief executive, commander of the army and the fountainhead of justice. Inspite of the combination of these wide powers and functions, he was not a tyrant, as he was governed by the traditional *raj-dharma* which was to be the father of the people, and to always act for their welfare, physical, moral and material.