Special events sponsored or recommended by the History Department

Kingship, Courts, and Capitals

Sultante Delhi in the 13th and 14th centuries

A Lecture by Prof. Sunil Kumar, Department of History, University of Delhi

Friday, February 29th 3:00pm Miller 105

The Delhi Sultans were great builders: they constucted seve capitals in the plain of Delhi during the 13th and 14th centuries. The frequent shifts of capitals are sometimes interpreted as grandiose statements of ceremonial authority required by insecure kings, or irresponsible expenditures by incompetent city designers who had not planned for the consequences of rapid urbanization. Sultanate construction activity was actually very carefully and systematically orchestrated. Its study provides a fascinating insight into the political culture of the 13th and 4th centuries, the historical backgrounds of the leading protagonists, and court ceremonies in medieval India.

2008 Throckmorton lecture series

To see more about this annual event click, Throckmorton Lecture Series