A group of Khilji nobles led by Jalaluddin Khlaji, overthrew the incompetent successors of Balban in AD 1290. The Khalji rebellion was welcomed by the non-Turkish nobility. The Khaljis did not exclude the Turks from high offices, but ended the Turkish monopoly.
Jalaluddin Khalji (AD 1290-1296)
He was the first ruler of the Delhi Sultanate to clearly put forward the view that the state should be based on the willing support of the governed and that since the large majority of the people in India were Hindus, the state in India could not be a truly Islamic state.
He adopted the policy of tolerance and avoiding harsh punishment.
The most important aspect of his reign was the invasion of Devagiri in 1294, by his nephew and son-in-law Alauddin Khalji.
He married his daughter to Ulugh Khan, a descendant of Changez Khan to win his goodwill.
Alauddin Khalji (1296-1316)
He came to the throne by treacherously murdering his uncle and father-in-law Jalaluddin Khalji.
He proclaimed himself as Sultan, winning over the nobles and soldiers to his side by the lavish use of gold.
He massacred the rebellious nobles, relatives, family members and the Mongols who had settled in Delhi. Mongols who had settled in Delhi. Alauddin gave harsh punishment even to the wives and children of all nobles.
Alauddin framed a series of regulations to prevent the nobles from conspiring against him. They were forbidden to hold banquets of festivals or to form marriage alliances without the permission of the Sultan.
To discourage the festival parties, he banned the use of wines and intoxicants. He also instituted a spy service to keep himself informed of all that nobles said and did.
He firstly conquered Gujarat and married Raja’s wife Kamla Devi. He acquired Malik Kafur from there.
Then he captured Ranthambore, Chittor and Malwa.
Malik Kafur was sent towards the South to expand the territory.
He defeated Yadava king of Devagiri, Ramchandra Deva, Kakatiya king Partap Rudra Deva I, Hoyasala king of Dwar Samudra Vira Ballala III and Pandyas of Madurai (King Mahavarman Kulshekhara).
He is said to have reached as far as Rameshwaram, where he built a mosque.
Alauddin strengthened the North-West frontier, under his trusted commander Ghazi Malik.
Administrative Reforms of Alauddin Khalji
First Sultan to have a permanent army. He paid soldiers in cash.
In order to avoid the problems created by the nobles, Alauddin issued four important ordinances.
Confiscation of religious endowments and free grants of lands.
Reorganised the spy system.
Prohibited the use of wine and intoxicants.
Laid down that the nobles should not have social gatherings and they should not intermarry without his permission.
He introduced the system of Dagh or branding the horses and Chehra or detailed description of each soldier.
Revenue Reforms of Alauddin Khalji
Measured the cultivable land and fixed the land revenue. Bishwa was declared to be the standard of measurement.
The state demanded half of the produce.
The post of a special official called Mustakhraj was created for the purpose of collection of revenue.
Alauddin is credited to have built many forts, and the most important of them is Alai Fort.
He also constructed the Alai Darwaja, the entrance gate of the Qutub Minar.
He also built the place of thousand pillars called ‘Hazar Situm,’ Hauz Khas and Jamait Khana Mosque and built his capital at Siri. He adopted the title Sikandar-i-Sahni.
He was the first Turkish Sultan who separated religion from politics. He proclaimed kingship knows no kinship.
He patronised many great poets in his court like Amir Kusro and Mir Hasan Dehlvi.
Market/ Economic Reforms
Alauddin controlled the market by many regulations.
Fixed the cost of all commodities.
He set-up three markets in Delhi.
All goods for sale were brought to the open market called ‘Sarai-Adl’.
He established the market control department under a minister called diwan-i-riyasat.
Alauddin Khalji (1296-1316) 5 achievements
Alauddin Khalji, who ruled from 1296 to 1316, was a significant ruler of the Khalji dynasty in the Delhi Sultanate. His reign is noted for several achievements that had a lasting impact on the political, economic, and military landscape of India. Here are five notable achievements of Alauddin Khalji:
1. Military Conquests and Expansion of the Empire
Alauddin Khalji was a formidable military leader who expanded the Delhi Sultanate significantly. He conquered Gujarat, Ranthambore, Chittor, Malwa, and Devagiri. His campaigns in the Deccan, led by his general Malik Kafur, extended the Sultanate’s influence into the southern regions of India. These conquests not only increased the territorial expanse of the Sultanate but also brought immense wealth to his empire.
2. Market Reforms and Price Control
Alauddin Khalji implemented extensive market reforms to control prices and prevent hoarding. He established a network of markets (mandis) in Delhi where prices of essential goods such as food grains, cloth, and other commodities were fixed and strictly regulated. His measures included setting up granaries to store surplus grain and enforcing price controls through rigorous inspections and penalties for violations. These reforms ensured the availability of essential goods at stable prices and improved the standard of living for his subjects.
3. Revenue Reforms and Land Administration
Alauddin introduced significant changes in the revenue system to increase state income. He carried out a detailed measurement of agricultural land and implemented a direct collection of taxes, reducing the influence of intermediaries. The land revenue was fixed at half of the produce, and a new revenue department was established to oversee the efficient collection of taxes. These measures strengthened the central administration and increased the financial stability of the Sultanate.
4. Military Reforms and Establishment of a Standing Army
To safeguard his empire from external threats, especially from the Mongols, Alauddin Khalji organised a large standing army. He introduced rigorous recruitment and training procedures and ensured that soldiers were regularly paid in cash. To maintain control over his military, he implemented the practice of branding horses and maintaining detailed records of soldiers (dagh and chehra). These reforms enhanced the efficiency and discipline of his army, making it one of the most formidable military forces of the time.
5. Suppression of Nobility and Centralization of Power
Alauddin Khalji undertook measures to curb the power of the nobility and centralise authority in the hands of the Sultan. He implemented a policy of severe punishment for any signs of rebellion or dissent among the nobles. Confiscation of property and imprisonment were common for those suspected of disloyalty. By doing so, he eliminated potential rivals and ensured a more centralised and effective administration, reducing the influence of regional and feudal lords.
These achievements of Alauddin Khalji not only consolidated his rule but also laid the foundation for a more centralised and efficient administration in the Delhi Sultanate, influencing the subsequent history of mediaeval India.
Successors of Alauddin Khalji
After the death of Alauddib in 1316, Malik Kafur Hazar Dinari seized the throne, but he could not rule for long and nominated Shihabuddin (Alauddin’s sixteenth son) as king.
Shihabuddin was deposed by Quatbuddin Mubarak Shah (1316-20)
Nasiruddin Shah (AD 1320) killed Mabarak Shah and himself was killed by Ghazi Malik the governor of Dipalpur.
This ended the 30 years rule of the Khalji dynasty and established the Tughlaq dynasty on the throne.
