Iltutmish's Consolidation (1211-1236 AD): Defeated rivals like Tajuddin Yildiz (Battle of Tarain, 1215) and Nasiruddin Qabacha. Received 'manshur' (letter of investiture) from the Abbasid Caliph of Baghdad, legitimizing his rule.
Iqta System: Introduced by Iltutmish. Land was assigned to military officers and nobles (Iqtadars) in lieu of salary. Iqtadars collected revenue and maintained troops for the Sultan. It was a transferable assignment, not hereditary.
Turkan-i-Chahalgani (Corps of Forty): A powerful group of forty Turkish slave nobles/officers created by Iltutmish to advise and assist him. It later became a kingmaker and a threat to the Sultan's authority, eventually suppressed by Balban.
Coinage by Iltutmish: Introduced two primary coins: the silver 'Tanka' (175 grains) and the copper 'Jital'. These were the standard currency for the Sultanate for centuries.
Mongol Threat (Iltutmish): Successfully averted the threat of Chingiz Khan, who appeared on the Indus border in 1221 AD, by refusing asylum to Khwarizm Shah's son, Jalaluddin Mangabarni.
Balban's Theory of Kingship: Believed the Sultan was God's shadow on Earth (Zill-i-Ilahi) and the recipient of divine grace (Niyabat-i-Khudai). Emphasized absolute power and dignity of the monarch.
Balban's Administrative Reforms: Abolished Turkan-i-Chahalgani. Created a separate military department, 'Diwan-i-Arz', headed by Ariz-i-Mumalik. Established an efficient spy system ('Barids') to monitor officials and nobles.
Balban's 'Iron and Blood' Policy: A ruthless policy of severe punishment for rebels and enemies, aimed at restoring law and order and strengthening the central authority. Suppressed Mewati robbers and local chieftains.
End of Mamluk Dynasty (1290 AD): After Balban's death, his grandson Kaiqubad and his infant son Kaimurs were weak rulers. The dynasty was overthrown by Jalaluddin Khalji, who founded the Khalji Dynasty.