The Trailblazing Reign of Razia Sultan

By Sumaiya Rabeya

As the world remains in turmoil, Muslims are reflecting deeply on their heritage. In this context, honouring the legacy of Razia Sultan feels particularly poignant. A true pioneer woman leader, she remains a trailblazer in history as the sole female ruler of India’s Delhi Sultanate—a testament to resilience, leadership, and defiance of patriarchal norms, all while proudly embracing her Muslim identity.

Born in 1205, Razia Sultan was the daughter of Sultan Shams ud-Din Iltutmish, the third of the Mamluk kings who ruled Delhi, India. Sultan Iltutmish was considered the actual founder of Delhi Sultanate  and first Muslim sovereign to rule from Delhi. From a young age, he groomed Razia with similar values for leadership as a proud Muslim. Her progressive and visionary father recognized her potential, intelligence, and capability, which led him to a revolutionary move designating her as his successor, bypassing his sons.

In 1236, Razia Sultan made history by ascending to the throne, challenging the norms  of a male-dominated society. She faced considerable resistance from her own community while having to tackle intimidating challenges from neighbouring rulers. The nobility, particularly those who could not accept a woman wielding such power, frequently plotted against her. Razia, however, confronted these challenges head-on. She adopted symbols of male authority, such as donning male title “Sultan” with her name, as opposed to the female version “Sultanah,” because it was traditionally used for the wives of Sultans, to assert her legitimacy and strength. In defiance of traditional gender roles, Razia also led her armies into battle, proving her strategic acumen and bravery.

Her military campaigns were crucial in maintaining the stability and security of her kingdom. Razia Sultan proved that women could lead with as much capability and wisdom as men. She had the choice to appoint her defence minister to lead the war, yet she chose to lead the army herself. In a biographical book written by Rafiq Zakaria, he commented, “Razia Sultan’s military strategies were marked by brilliance and audacity. She led her armies from the front, displaying a level of courage and determination that inspired her soldiers and struck fear into her enemies.” Persian writer Haji Lutfullah said, “Leading her troops into battle, Razia exhibited a level of courage that rivalled the greatest warriors of her time. Her presence on the battlefield was a source of inspiration to her soldiers and a stark reminder to her enemies that she was a force to be reckoned with.”

Razia implemented significant reforms and achieved remarkable accomplishments in various domains. Her Muslim faith played an important role in shaping her identity, and her governance exemplified the principles of justice, education, and compassion that are central to Islam, such as by promoting meritocracy as opposed to nepotism and implemented policies that prioritized justice, compassion, and inclusivity.

Razia Sultan’s death is shrouded in historical ambiguity, but according to popular accounts, Razia and her husband were either killed in battle or captured and subsequently executed. With dignified bravery, she guarded her role as Sultan of Delhi until her last breath.

1. Hidayatullah, the former Chief Justice of India once mentioned her, “Razia Sultan remains one of the most outstanding rulers in Indian history, demonstrating that leadership and valour are not confined to any one gender.” The famous Philosopher and poet Muhammad Iqbal said, “Razia Sultan’s reign, though brief, was a symbol of what a woman could achieve with courage and leadership.”

Her story is one of the many powerful reminders of the strength and resilience of women in Islamic history. She proved that leadership goes beyond gender, and being a Muslim woman was not a limitation for her, but rather strength.

“The best of your leaders are those whom you love and who love you, who invoke God’s blessings upon you, and you invoke His blessings upon them.” This hadith from Sahih Muslim (Book 33, Hadith 6446) reminds us that Allah has not set any gender restriction on leadership. Nevertheless, it is bestowed on those who are capable and courageous enough to carry out the work. Razia Sultan’s reign, though brief, left an indelible mark in history defying patriarchal constraints, ruling with integrity and a deep sense of justice. Her story resonates across generations, reminding us that strength knows no gender and that faith need not limit our aspirations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sumaiya Rabeya is a researcher and content writer. She is the co-founder of a Malaysia-based media-production company. Sumaiya is also a community volunteer, actively working on various projects related to Islamic dawah, social engagement and women. Born in 1989, she graduated with a degree in Politics and International Relations and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Gender Studies. Moreover, she has been working as a media content writer for over a decade. As a Bengali young mother, she feels responsible in creatively contributing to society.