Which of the following was the Sultan of Delhi who died while playing “Chaugan” (polo)?
Qutbuddin Aibak, the founder of the Slave Dynasty, died in 1210 AD while playing Chaugan (polo) at Lahore. He fell from his horse during the game and suffered severe injuries. His sudden death ended his short reign, after which his son Aram Shah briefly succeeded him before being replaced by Iltutmish. ANSWER: (A) Qutbuddin Aibak
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Qutbuddin Aibak, founder of the Slave Dynasty, enjoyed sports such as Chaugan, a fast and dangerous form of polo. In 1210, while playing the game at Lahore, his horse suddenly fell, causing fatal injuries. Medieval chronicles mention that Aibak was known for his generosity, earning him the title “Lakh-Baksh,” meaning giver of lakhs. His unexpected death created political instability because his son Aram Shah lacked leadership qualities. As a result, the nobles quickly supported Iltutmish, who later became one of the strongest rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. Aibak’s tomb in Lahore remains an important historical site related to early Sultanate history.