When Qutb-ud-Din Aibak died all of a sudden at Lahore, the Amirs and maliks of Lahore put Aram Shah on the throne “for the sake of restraining tumult, for the tranquility of the commonalty and content of the hearts of the soldiery.” There is a difference of opinion with regard to the relationship of Aram Shah with Qutb-ud-Din Aibak. It is suggested that he was his son.
However, this view is contradicted by the statement of Minhaj-us-Siraj that Qutb-ud-Din had only three daughters and no son. Abul Fazal says that Aram Shah was the brother of Qutb-ud-Din. A new view has been put forward that Aram Shah was not a relation of Qutb-ud-Din but he was put on the throne as he was the man who was available on the spot. No conclusive view can be given on this point.
Unfortunately, Aram Shah was a weak and worthless youngman. No wonder, the people of Delhi refused to accept him as their ruler. Powerful Governors of different provinces like Qabacha of Multan and Ali Mardan of Bengal refused to recognise the suzerainty of Aram Shah.
There was the danger of a civil war in the country and in order to avoid that, an invitation was sent to Malik Shams-ud-Din Iltutmish who was the Governor of Badaun at that time. The invitation was accepted and Iltutmish defeated Aram Shah in the plain of Jud near Delhi. Probably, Aram Shah was put to death. His reign lasted for about eight months.