[Solved] What was Qutbuddin Aybak's Capital? | Lahore

The capital of Qutbuddin Aybak was

[41st B.P.S.C. Prelims 1996]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

Although the empire is known as the 'Delhi' Sultanate, its very first ruler operated primarily from the Punjab region to maintain a close connection with his Central Asian roots.

Authentic Source Evidence

Qutbuddin Aybak (r. 1206–1210) made Lahore his primary capital. It was strategically located to manage the northwestern territories and defend against rivals like Tajuddin Yildiz of Ghazni.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Option A is correct. Aybak spent most of his short four-year reign in Lahore and was buried there after his death in 1210.

Logic 2: It was his successor, Iltutmish, who permanently shifted the capital to Delhi in 1211 CE.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"Why did Iltutmish shift the capital to Delhi?"

Delhi was more centrally located and better suited for governing the growing territories in the east and south while providing distance from Ghaznavid politics.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"Aybak's choice of Lahore shows that the early Sultanate was still functionally an extension of the Ghurid Empire's frontier provinces."

Topic Clusters (click to see related topic questions)

Iltutmish 12 Lahore 4 Mamluk Dynasty 6

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