Rulers of Delhi, India: Eras, Kings, Badshahs, and the Names of Delhi

Delhi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Over thousands of years, it was ruled by Rajas, Maharajas, Sultans, Badshahs, and Emperors.
This Knowledge Base article explains, in simple language, who ruled Delhi, during which era, what Delhi was called at that time, and why people often get confused.

This matters because Delhi has been the political heart of India for centuries.

What Does “Rulers of Delhi” Mean?

“Rulers of Delhi” refers to the different kings and emperors who controlled Delhi at different times.

• Titles changed with time:

  • Raja / Maharaja – Hindu kings

  • Sultan – Muslim rulers (Delhi Sultanate)

  • Badshah / Shanshah – Mughal emperors

• Delhi itself had different names in different periods

Timeline of Delhi Rulers (Simple Step-by-Step)

1. Ancient Hindu kingdoms

2. Rajput rulers

3. Delhi Sultanate

4. Mughal Empire

5. British rule

6. Modern India

1. Ancient & Mythological Period

Rulers

• Yudhishthira (legendary)

• Pandava kings (as per Mahabharata)

Title Used

• Raja

Name of Delhi Then

• Indraprastha

? This period is based on epics, not full historical records.

2. Rajput Period (Before 1192)

Major Rulers

• Anangpal Tomar

• Prithviraj Chauhan

Title Used

• Raja / Maharaja

Name of Delhi Then

• Lal Kot

• Qila Rai Pithora

3. Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)

Who Ruled

Muslim Sultans ruled Delhi for over 300 years.

Titles Used

• Sultan

• Shah

Major Dynasties & Rulers

Slave Dynasty

• Qutbuddin Aibak

• Iltutmish

• Razia Sultana

Khalji Dynasty

• Alauddin Khalji

Tughlaq Dynasty

• Muhammad bin Tughlaq

• Firoz Shah Tughlaq

Sayyid Dynasty

• Khizr Khan

Lodi Dynasty

• Ibrahim Lodi

Name of Delhi Then

• Delhi

• Siri

• Tughlaqabad

• Firozabad

4. Mughal Period (1526–1857)

Who Ruled

The Mughal Badshahs (Emperors) ruled Delhi for more than 300 years.

Titles Used

• Badshah

• Shanshah

Major Mughal Rulers

• Babur

• Akbar

• Jahangir

• Shah Jahan

• Aurangzeb

• Bahadur Shah Zafar

Name of Delhi Then

• Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi)

5. British Rule (1858–1947)

Who Ruled

• British Crown (Viceroys)

• Mughal emperors had no real power

Title Used

• Emperor of India (British)

Name of Delhi Then

• Delhi

• New Delhi (after 1911)

6. Modern India (1947–Present)

Who Rules

• Elected Government of India

• President & Prime Minister

Title Used

• Democratic leaders

Name of Delhi

• New Delhi (Capital of India)

Why People Get Confused (Common Issues)

Common Confusions

• Raja vs Sultan vs Badshah

• Delhi vs Indraprastha

• Mughal vs British period

Easy Fixes

• Look at time period

• Check title used

• Check name of the city

Example (Text-Based Explanation)

Think of Delhi like a house:

• Many families lived in it over time

• Each family renamed rooms

• But the house stayed the same

Important Notes & Precautions

• Ancient history and mythology are different

• Titles changed with religion and culture

• TV shows often mix timelines

Best Practices for Learning Delhi History

• Learn era by era

• Use maps and timelines

• Focus on major rulers

• Separate myth from history

Short Conclusion

Delhi has been ruled by Rajas, Sultans, Badshahs, and modern leaders. From Indraprastha to Shahjahanabad to New Delhi, its history reflects India’s rich and diverse past. Understanding Delhi’s rulers helps us understand India itself.