Historical Note:
Mandsaur capture
and
Alauddin Khilji(1296-1316
AD)
Khilji Dynasty succeeded the Slave Dynasty to the throne of Delhi . The
founder of the Khilji Dynasty (1290-1320) was Malik Firuz. He was originally a
noble under the Emperor Kaiqubad, who belonged to the Slave dynasty. He took
advantage of the incompetence of the successors of Balban, the great Slave
Emperor. He ascended the throne on June 13 1290 under the name Jalal-ud-Din
Firoz Shah. The arrival of a Khilji ruler was resented by the majority of the
Muslim population of Delhi , who were Turkish in origin. Yet Jalal-ud-din's
mildness and generosity won the hearts of the people. Most of the officers,
who held key positions under the Slave Dynasty, were retained. He was murdered
by his own nephew and son-in-law Alauddin Khilji, who succeeded him. Alauddin
made far-reaching changes in the administrative and revenue reforms. Market
control regulations were introduced and a lot of conquests took place during
his reign.
In 1292 AD Alauddin led an expedition to
Devagiri hearing of its wealth. Devagiri was forced to pay a huge war
indemnity. This helped Alauddin in buying the nobles and pleasing the soldiers
who were disatisfied by the rule of Jala-ud-din. Alauddin then hatched a
conspiracy and got Sultan Jala-lud din killed and proclaimed himself as the
Sultan. In the year 1296 AD Alauddin became the Sultan, after Malika Jan the
widow of Jalal-ud-din and her younger son Qadin Khan left Delhi. In 1297 AD
Alauddin Khilji set off for conquering Gujarat. The Raja of Gujarat took
shelter in Devagiri where Nusrat Khan an Ulugh Khan pursued them and looted.
Here Nusrat Khan purchased a Hindu slave called Malik Kafur who in due course
helped Alauddin Khilji in his future conquests. In 1301 Ramthambhor was
captured and the Rajput Hamir Deva was murdered. In 1303 he conquered Chittor
killing Rana Rattan Singh. His queen Rani Padmini with the other women
committed Jauhar.
In 1305 Alauddin Khilji captured Malwa and annexed Ujjain, Mandu, Dhar and
Chanderi. Allauddin Khilji's expedition to Bengal was not successful and it
remained independent.
In 1308, Allauddin led an expedition to capture a fort in Sivana,
Rajasthan. In 1311AD Allauddin set off on the Jalor expedition. Thus he almost
completed his conquests of North. Allauddin now set out to conquer the south
lured by the wealth of Devagiri.Being the first to have thought of venturing
to the south this region could be a source of revenue for him. In this
adventure of his, Malik Kafur his slave who in course of time turned to be an
able commander contributed greatly.Allauddin had already invaded Devagiri in
the year 1294 AD and had reconciled for the condition that a tribute would be
paid. Malik Kafur led the operation . A huge war indemnity was paid and a
tribute offered. In 1310 AD Malik Kafur was sent to invade the Hoyasala
kingdom of Dwarasamudra. The ruler conceded to his demands and further
assisted Malik Kafur in his quest against the Pandya kingdom.In 1311AD Malik
Kafur went on an expedition to the Pandya kingdom which had its capital at
Madurai. Malik Kafur came out successful. In 1313 AD Allauddin set out on
Devagiri and annexed it to Delhi. During the rule of Allauddin Khilji, the
Mongols invaded the country several times. The first invasion came during the
period of 1297 AD. The forces of Sultan successfully repulsed this invasion .
In 1298 AD Saldi's invasion was neutralized by Zafar Khan thus increasing
his prestige. In 1299 AD Qutlugh Khwaja invaded India for the third time. A
fierce battle was the result involving Zafar Khan, Nusrat Khan and Alagh Khan.
The Mongols were routed but it cost the life of Zafar Khan. In the year 1303
AD under the leader ship of Targhi another mongol invasion was carried out.
From this invasion Allauddin Khilji learnt the lessons of keeping himself
prepared, not only with a strong army but by fortifying and organizing his
armed forces. In 1305 AD the Mongols led by Ali Beg and Tartaq invaded India
but were brutally defeated. The last of the mongol invasion was the under the
leadership of Kubak and Iqbamand. Even this invasion was successfully met by
Allauddin Khilji.
In his later days Allauddin had to face many troubles. Malik Kafur
influenced all his actions. He met with his death in the year 1316 AD. An
infant son of the Sultan was placed on the throne and he acted as the regent.
Malik Kafur imprisoned, blinded and killed other members of the royal family.
But Malik Kafur was murdered, and Mubarak Khan the third son of Alauddin
Khilji became the regent. He then imprisoned Sahib uddin and ascended the
throne as Qutb-ud-din Mubarak in the year 1316 AD. The rule of Qutb-ud-din
Mubarak was an utter failure owing to his liberal administration and luxurious
life style. Above all he was under the influence of youth called Hassan who
later was called Khusru Khan. The misdoings of Qutb-ud-din Mubarak led to his
death at the hands of Khusru Khan. The death of Mubarak sealed the fate of the
Khilji dynasty. Khusru who came to the throne after Qutbuddin Mubarak was not
favoured by the Turkish nobles. He was killed by a Qaraunak Turk noble, Ghazi
Malik Tughluq. This paved the way for the foundation of a new dynasty called
the Tughluq dynasty.
