The Turkan-e-Chihalgani—literally the “forty Turks”—was an influential grouping of Turkish nobles created during Iltutmish’s era, who dominated court politics and military affairs. Iltutmish relied on these experienced chieftains to secure and administer the expanding Sultanate, but the group’s collective power also complicated centralized rule, as their rivalries and ambitions frequently shaped succession crises. The Chahalgani system highlights the pivotal role of Turkish military elites in early Delhi politics and the balance leaders like Iltutmish had to maintain between empowering them for military success and containing their political influence.