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Razia, the daughter of Iltutmish, assumed the reigns of the government in 1236. She was the first and last woman among the Muslim rulers who sat on the throne of Delhi. However, the Pathan nobles regarded it below their dignity to pay obedience to a woman. On the other hand, the traditional Muslims resented her public appearances without covering her face with burqa or a veil. Also, the appointment of an Abyssinian slave named Jamat-ud-din Yakut as superintment of the stables was resented by the Chahalgani Turks or Chalisa.

Razia had all the qualities to rule Delhi Sultanate; the only weakness was that she was a woman. That was the main reason of her decline. Razia was murdered near Kaithal in 1240.