The correct answer is: D. The elite cadre of slave officers under him.
Chahalghani was a group of elite slave officers under Iltutmish, the second ruler of the Delhi Sultanate. They were mostly Turks and were recruited by Iltutmish from his native land. They were highly trained and skilled in warfare and were loyal to Iltutmish. They played a key role in the expansion of the Delhi Sultanate and in the consolidation of Iltutmish’s power.
Option A is incorrect because Chahalghani were not Iltutmish’s Turkish slaves. They were mostly Turks, but they were not his personal slaves. They were recruited by Iltutmish from his native land and were loyal to him, but they were not his personal property.
Option B is incorrect because Chahalghani were not slaves inherited by Iltutmish from his predecessors. They were recruited by Iltutmish from his native land.
Option C is incorrect because Chahalghani were not the general cadre of slaves under Iltutmish. They were an elite group of slave officers who were highly trained and skilled in warfare.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.