Who was Alauddin Khalji? All About Delhi’s Sultan
One of the most significant Muslim rulers in Indian history was Alauddin Khilji, who belonged to the Khilji dynasty, also known as the Khalji dynasty. This dynasty was one of the five Muslim dynasties to rule the Delhi Sultanate in India, succeeding the Mamluk dynasty that was led by Turkish leader Muiz ud Dib Qaiqabad.
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Table of Contents
Profile Summary
Alauddin Khilji, the nephew of the founder of the Khilji dynasty, Jalal-ud-din Khilji, rose to power after murdering his uncle, who was the reigning Sultan. He ruled the Khilji dynasty for two decades, from 1296 to 1316 CE, and implemented significant administrative changes related to revenues, price controls, and society. He was an ambitious ruler and the most powerful among his dynasty’s Sultans.
During Alauddin Khilji’s reign, the Delhi Sultanate successfully fended off several Mongol invasions of India, which earned him a reputation as a formidable military leader. The Khilji dynasty lasted for 30 years, during which it was ruled by Jalal-ud-din Khilji, Alauddin Khilji, and Qutb-ud-Din Mubarak Shah. However, Alauddin Khilji’s legacy as a powerful and ambitious ruler continues to be remembered in Indian history.
Early life
While there is not much information available about Alauddin Khilji’s childhood, it is known that he began his march to Ranthambore between 1300 and 1301 at the age of 34. Alauddin Khilji’s real name was Ali Gurshasp, and he was the eldest son of Sultan Jalaluddin’s brother, Shihabuddin Mas’ud. After the death of Shihabuddin, Jalaluddin took Alauddin under his patronage. Alauddin and his brother, Almas Beg, both married daughters of Jalaluddin Khilji.
Alauddin Khilji’s first wife was Malika-i-Jahan, the daughter of Sultan Jalaluddin, whom he married before the Khalji revolution began. However, as Jalaluddin rose to power and became the Sultan of Delhi Sultanate, Malika-i-Jahan became arrogant and dominant over Alauddin. This led to misunderstandings and tensions between them. Alauddin married a second woman named Mahru, which further strained his relationship with Malika-i-Jahan. Historians believe that Malika-i-Jahan’s mother-in-law had a significant influence on the Sultan and was suspicious of Alauddin, which fueled her daughter’s arrogance and dominance over him.
Family, Religion, Wife & Sexuality
Alauddin Khilji, a Sunni Muslim, was born into the Turkic Khalji lineage to Shihabuddin Mas’ud. His father died when he was young, and he was raised by his uncle and founder of the Khalji Dynasty, Sultan Jalaluddin, along with his three brothers Almas Beg, Qutlugh Tigin, and Muhammad.
Khilji married his uncle’s daughter, Malika-i-Jahan, who became arrogant towards him after her father became the Sultan of Delhi. Dissatisfied with his first marriage, he married a woman named Mahru, and after he looted Devagiri, he married Jhatyapali, the princess of Devagiri, with whom he had a son named Shihabuddin Omar. He also married a Hindu woman named Kamaladevi, the former wife of Karna, the last Vaghela king of Gujarat.
Despite having four wives, Khilji shared a close bond with his slave-turned-military commander, Malik Kafur. There are rumors that he was bisexual, and in his final years, he reportedly fell in love with Kafur.
Consolidation of power
Alauddin Khilji established his power by utilizing various strategies such as endowments, grants, and appointments to government positions. He also maintained a balance of power between Mamluk officers and those appointed under Jalaluddin. Moreover, he bolstered the army’s strength and granted each soldier a year and a half salary in cash. The citizens of Delhi enjoyed a prosperous time during the initial years of his rule, as reported by chronicler Ziauddin Barani.
However, Alauddin faced limitations in exercising his authority over Jalaluddin’s former territories, with Punjab being one such region. After conquering Multan, Alauddin appointed Nusrat Khan as his prime minister and started eliminating officers who were not his appointees. He also arrested, blinded, or killed the aristocrats who had deserted Jalaluddin to join him, confiscating their properties and money. Only a few were spared, while new nobles loyal to Alauddin replaced the older aristocrats.
Ala-ul Mulk, the governor of Kara, brought Alauddin’s wealth and officers to Delhi and was appointed kotwal of the city. As he became unhealthy, Nusrat Khan was appointed as the governor of Kara. Despite the unpopularity resulting from the confiscations, Nusrat Khan obtained a large sum of cash for the royal treasury.
Cause Of Death
In the later years of his life, Alauddin Khilji became increasingly insecure about his position as Sultan. He placed all his trust in Kafur Malik, whom he appointed as Viceroy and gave most of the administrative powers. Alauddin suffered from severe illness and followed Malik Kafur’s advice, which included abolishing the office of Wazir, removing experienced officers from his department, and even killing his brother-in-law, Alp Khan.
On January 4, 1316, Alauddin Khilji passed away, amidst suspicions of a conspiracy involving Malik Kafur and other officers of the Sultanate. Kafur buried Alauddin’s body, which was brought from Siri Place, in Alauddin’s mausoleum, which had been constructed before his death.
Alauddin’s tomb and madrasa can be found at the back of the Qutb complex in Mehrauli, Delhi.
Conclusion
Alauddin Khalji was a prominent ruler of the Khilji dynasty, having ascended to the throne after assassinating his father-in-law and predecessor, Jalaluddin Khalji. During his reign, Alauddin successfully fended off Mongol invasions at various locations including Delhi, Kili, Amroha, Jaran-Manjur, and Sivistan.
Additionally, he conquered and consolidated power and wealth from several Hindu kingdoms situated in Ranthambore, Gujrat, Malwa, Chittor, and Jalore. Sadly, Alauddin passed away after falling severely ill. His final resting place is located in a madrasa, or Islamic school, situated in Qutb Minar, Mehrauli, Delhi, India.
