Who is regarded as the first female ruler to sit on the imperial throne of India, often described as the first female emperor of the Delhi Sultanate?

Introduction / Context:
Questions about the first female ruler or female emperor in Indian history are common in competitive exams. This question focuses on the early Delhi Sultanate and asks which woman is considered the first to occupy the imperial throne of Delhi, often informally described as the first female emperor of India. Understanding her role helps students connect gender history with medieval political developments.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The topic is Indian medieval history and the Delhi Sultanate period.
The question asks for the first woman to sit on the imperial throne of Delhi.

Concept / Approach:
The key idea is to distinguish between women who exercised informal influence and women who ruled as sovereign monarchs. Razia, daughter of Iltutmish, ruled as Sultan in her own right, while figures like Noor Jahan were influential consorts but not crowned monarchs. The correct approach is to recall which woman held the formal title and authority of the ruler of Delhi.

Step-by-Step Solution:
First, recall that Razia, also called Razia Sultan, ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1236 to 1240.She was formally enthroned as Sultan, not merely acting as a consort or regent.Noor Jahan, though powerful, acted through Jahangir and never took the throne herself.Rani Rudrama Devi ruled the Kakatiya kingdom in the Deccan, not the imperial throne of Delhi.Queen Didda ruled in Kashmir, which again is not the Delhi Sultanate throne.Therefore the correct answer is Razia Sultana.

Verification / Alternative check:
Another way to verify is to recall which woman is usually mentioned in textbooks as the only female Sultan of Delhi. Standard medieval history outlines always name Razia Sultana in this role, while Noor Jahan is described as an influential Mughal empress consort and not a sovereign monarch.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Noor Jahan was very powerful at the Mughal court but ruled through Emperor Jahangir and never sat on the throne as sovereign monarch.
Rani Rudrama Devi was a famous queen of the Kakatiya dynasty in the Deccan and not ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.
Queen Didda exercised power in Kashmir and does not fit the description of the first female emperor of the Delhi throne.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to choose Noor Jahan because of her fame and influence in Mughal history. Students sometimes equate de facto influence with formal de jure power, but the question is about occupying the throne as ruler. Some also confuse different regional queens such as Rudrama Devi with the Delhi Sultanate context.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Razia Sultana.