Which Sultan of Delhi introduced Persian traditions of Sijda and Paibos in his Court?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 3:

Ghiyasuddin Balban (r. 1266–1287 CE) was the Sultan of the Mamluk dynasty who is famously credited with introducing the Persian court customs of *Sijda* (prostration before the Sultan) and *Paibos* or *Zaminbos* (kissing the Sultan’s feet). Balban ruled during a period of significant turmoil and sought to establish the absolute power and prestige of the monarchy, which had declined after Iltutmish. He adopted the Iranian theory of kingship, which elevated the status of the Sultan to near-divine status, referring to himself as the *Zill-i-Ilahi* (Shadow of God). These rituals—Sijda and Paibos—were designed to reinforce his supreme authority, command unquestioning obedience from the nobles, and create an imposing, majestic atmosphere in the court that instilled fear and respect, central to his "Blood and Iron" policy.

The incorrect option is 1:
Alauddin Khilji (r. 1296–1316 CE) was a powerful ruler known for his conquest of the Deccan and his strict market control reforms. While he maintained the high prestige of the monarchy, he did not introduce the practice of Sijda and Paibos; these were established decades earlier by Balban. Alauddin was focused on military expansion and administrative efficiency.

The incorrect option is 2:
Iltutmish (r. 1211–1236 CE) was the founder of the Delhi Sultanate proper and strengthened the slave dynasty. Although he established the *Chalghani* (Group of Forty nobles), he did not introduce the extremist Persian traditions of Sijda and Paibos. His focus was primarily on consolidating the newly established territories and securing the Sultanate.

The incorrect option is 4:
Firoz Tughlaq (r. 1351–1388 CE) was known for his humanitarian approach, public works, and efforts to appease the Ulema (religious scholars). He relaxed many of the harsh policies of his predecessors, including those that emphasized absolute monarchical power. He was not responsible for introducing Sijda and Paibos; in fact, he would later be noted for his attempts to follow religious orthodoxy rather than adopting aggressive Persian rituals.