• During the Delhi Sultanate, the struggle between the monarchy and the Turkish chiefs continued, till one of the Turkish chiefs, Ulugh Khan, known in history by his later title of Balban, gradually arrogated all power to himself and finally ascended the throne in 1265.

• Balban constantly sought to increase the prestige and power of the monarchy, because he was convinced that this was the only way to face the internal and external dangers facing him.

• In order to prove his claim to noble blood, Balban stood forth as the champion of the Turkish nobility. He refused to entertain for important government posts anyone who did not belong to a noble family. This virtually meant the exclusion of Indian Muslims from all positions of power and authority.

• While claiming to act as a champion of the Turkish nobility, Balban was not prepared to share power with anyone, not even with the members of his own family. His despotism was such that he was not prepared to hear any criticism even from his own supporters.

• Balban was determined to finally break the power of the Chahalgani, i.e., the Turkish nobles, and to exalt the power and prestige of the monarchy.

• To emphasize that the nobles were not his equals, he insisted on the ceremony of Sijada and Paibos (prostration and Kissing the monarch’s feet).

• These and many other ceremonies, which he copied, was Iranian in origin and were considered un-Islamic.