Newly written and fact-checked at this article’s original address. Promotional photographs and media are not reproduced.
Key facts
- Channel: &TV
- Premiere: 2 March 2015
- Lead: Pankhuri Awasthy as Razia
- Theme song: "Mere Maula", sung by Supriya Joshi
- Historical Razia: Ruled the Delhi Sultanate, 1236–1240
Razia Sultan was a Hindi historical drama that premiered on 2 March 2015 on &TV, the new general entertainment channel launched that day. Pankhuri Awasthy played the title role of Razia, the only woman to rule the Delhi Sultanate, and Shah Rukh Khan introduced the series as its narrator.
This page replaces an old CareerMasti gallery of Razia Sultan serial stills. The heritage site Muslim Heritage credited that page beside a photograph captioned "Pankhuri Awasthy as Razia, 2015" in its article on the historical Razia. The original promotional photographs belong to the broadcaster and are not reproduced here.
The historical Razia
Razia, also written Raziya or Radiyya, was the daughter of Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, Sultan of Delhi. Iltutmish chose her as his successor ahead of his sons, believing she was the most capable of his children. After his death in 1236, her half-brother Rukn-ud-din Firuz briefly took the throne, but he was soon deposed and Razia became sultan.
She ruled from 1236 to 1240. Chroniclers recorded that she held open court, dressed in a man's robes and rode into battle, and she promoted officials on merit, including the Abyssinian Jamal-ud-Din Yaqut. Her independence angered powerful Turkic nobles. A revolt led by Malik Altunia, governor of Bathinda, ended in her capture. She then married Altunia and tried to regain her throne, but they were defeated and Razia was killed in 1240.
The television story
The serial told a dramatised version of Razia's early life and rise, mixing history with invented subplots. It begins with the young princess at her father's court, her bond with her loyal companion Fatima, and her rivalry with Shah Turkan, Iltutmish's ambitious consort, and her son Rukn-ud-din. A romantic thread follows Razia and Mirza Altunia, who first meets her when she is in disguise. Later episodes show the struggle over the succession and Razia's path to the throne.
Cast
Pankhuri Awasthy played Razia. It was one of her first major roles, and she later played Draupadi in Suryaputra Karn. Rohit Purohit played Altunia, Sooraj Thapar played Sultan Iltutmish, Sambhavna Seth played Shah Turkan, and Saurabh Pandey played Jamal-ud-Din Yaqut. Ankit Arora played Rukn-ud-din Firuz, Khalida Turi played Qutub Begum, and Riya Deepsi played Fatima. The theme song, "Mere Maula", was sung by Supriya Joshi.
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Pankhuri Awasthy | Razia |
| Rohit Purohit | Mirza Altunia |
| Sooraj Thapar | Sultan Iltutmish |
| Sambhavna Seth | Shah Turkan |
| Saurabh Pandey | Jamal-ud-Din Yaqut |
| Ankit Arora | Rukn-ud-din Firuz |
| Khalida Turi | Qutub Begum |
| Riya Deepsi | Fatima |
History and drama
Like most historical serials, Razia Sultan took liberties with the record. Characters' relationships, timelines and many episodes were invented or compressed for television. Viewers interested in the real Razia should turn to histories of the Delhi Sultanate, which depend mainly on the thirteenth-century chronicler Minhaj-i-Siraj Juzjani.
Even so, the show helped introduce a remarkable historical figure to a new generation of viewers, and Razia's story continues to attract attention as one of the few examples of a woman ruling in medieval north India.
Frequently asked questions
When did Razia Sultan start on &TV?
On 2 March 2015, the day the channel launched.
Who played Razia Sultan?
Pankhuri Awasthy, now known as Pankhuri Awasthy Rode.
Who was the real Razia Sultan?
The daughter of Iltutmish, she ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1236 to 1240 and was the only woman to do so.
Who sang the Razia Sultan theme song?
"Mere Maula" was sung by Supriya Joshi.
Who played Altunia in Razia Sultan?
Rohit Purohit.
Who played Iltutmish in the serial?
Sooraj Thapar played Sultan Iltutmish, Razia's father.
Is the Razia Sultan serial historically accurate?
Only partly. Like most historical dramas, it invented subplots and compressed timelines; the main historical source for Razia is the chronicler Minhaj-i-Siraj Juzjani.