The Bandagan-i-Khas during the rule of Delhi Sultans referred to the

During the Delhi Sultanate, the term 'Bandagan' referred to special slaves purchased for military service. These slaves were highly trained and often rose to prominent positions in the administration and military due to their loyalty to the Sultan [1]. The 'Bandagan-i-Khas' specifically denoted the royal slaves who served the Sultan directly, forming an elite cadre within the administrative and military framework. This system was particularly prominent during the Mamluk (Slave) dynasty, where 'Mamluk' itself signifies a slave or property. Later rulers like Firuz Shah Tughlaq further institutionalized this by creating the 'Diwan-i-bandagan', a dedicated department for slaves. These royal slaves were preferred over local aristocrats because their total dependence on the Sultan ensured greater political reliability and centralized authority [1].

Sources

1. [1] http://etd.lib.jnu.ac.in/TH13291.pdf