Razia Sultana, also known as Razia al-Din, was a historical figure who lived during the 13th century. She was the first and only female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate in India. Razia Sultana ascended to the throne in 1236 after the death of her father, Sultan Iltutmish.
Razia Sultana faced significant opposition and challenges during her reign due to her gender. Many nobles and conservative elements within the society were not accepting of a female ruler. Despite these obstacles, she proved to be a capable and progressive ruler, implementing various reforms and policies to improve governance and administration.
However, Razia Sultana's reign was marked by political turmoil and rebellions. She faced opposition from powerful nobles who were unhappy with her rule. In 1240, she was eventually overthrown and killed in a rebellion led by Malik Altunia, a former governor and lover.
The exact reasons for Razia Sultana's assassination are not entirely clear, as historical accounts vary. Some suggest that it was primarily due to political rivalries and power struggles, while others speculate that her relationship with Malik Altunia played a role. Regardless, her death marked the end of her reign and the restoration of male rulers within the Delhi Sultanate.