Correct Option
Ghiyas ud din Balban, after consolidating his power, adopted the grand title of Zil-i-Ilahi, meaning 'Shadow of God'. This was a deliberate move to elevate the status of the monarch and establish the concept of divine kingship, drawing inspiration from Persian court traditions. By claiming a divine mandate, Balban sought to enhance the prestige and authority of the Sultan, demand absolute obedience from his subjects, and centralize power, thereby strengthening the Delhi Sultanate's monarchy.
Incorrect Options
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Tute-Hind: This title, meaning 'Parrot of India', was associated with Amir Khusrau, a prominent poet and scholar, not with Balban.
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Kaisr-I-Hind: This title was adopted much later in Indian history, notably by British monarchs, such as Queen Victoria, signifying 'Empress of India'. It is not associated with the Delhi Sultanate period or Balban.
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Din-I-Ilahi: This was a syncretic religious doctrine or spiritual path initiated by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1582, aiming to combine elements of various religions. It is entirely unrelated to Balban, who ruled during the Delhi Sultanate period (13th century).