Allaudin Khilji (1296–1316 AD) was a Turco-Afghan monarch of the Khalji dynasty who governed the Delhi Sultanate in the Indian subcontinent. He was the most prominent ruler of the Khilji Dynasty. He was also known as Ali Gurshasp. Alauddin implemented a number of key administrative reforms in the areas of revenue, price controls, and society. He ascended to the throne by killing Jalaluddin Firoz Khilji. To consolidate his power, he assassinated Firoz Khilji's entire family after becoming Sultan. His main focus now was on expanding his empire and improving his administration. In this article, we will discuss the Important Ruler of the Khalji Dynasty Ala-ud-din Khilji (1296-1316 AD) which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Ala-ud-din Khilji (1296-1316 AD) - Background

• Alauddin Khilji was the nephew and son-in-law of his predecessor Jalaluddin Khilji.
• After Jalaluddin deposed the Mamluks and became Sultan of Delhi, Alauddin was awarded the title of Amir-i-Tuzuk.
• He was appointed governor of Kara in 1291 after suppressing a revolt against Jalaluddin and governor of Awadh in 1296, following a successful expedition on Bhilsa.
• Alauddin stormed Devagiri in 1296 and looted enough to organize a successful insurrection against Jalaluddin.
• Following Firoz Khilji's death in 1296 AD, Ali Gurshap declared himself sultan of Manikpur under the name Alauddin Khilji.
• He solidified his dominance in Delhi after executing Jalaluddin's sons in Multan.
• He defeated the Mongols near the Ravi riverbed in 1306, and thereafter ransacked the Mongol territory in modern-day Afghanistan.
• Zafar Khan, Ulugh Khan, and his slave-general Malik Kafur were among the military commanders who successfully commanded his army against the Mongols.
• Yamin-ul-Khilafat, Nasir-e-amir-ul-momini, and Sikander-e sani were among his many titles.

Ala-ud-din Khilji - Kinship

• Amir Khushro has written extensively about Alaudin's kinship.
• He was a firm believer that power belongs to the powerful.
• He claimed that the king had no family and that all of the people in the country had to be his subjects.
• As a result, it was their prior obligation to follow the sultan's orders without question.
• Before becoming Sultan, he did not even seek the consent of the Khalifa.
• He stated unequivocally that his directives are in the best interests of the people, and that he is unconcerned whether they are in accordance with Shariat or not.
• As a result, he did not consider the Shariat norms to be beyond the welfare of the people.

Expeditions of Alauddin Khilji

Alauddin Khilji was a king who ruled with imperialism. He sought to expand the Khilji Dynasty's power and unite India; as a result of his desire to conquer the entire world, he was given the title of Sikander-e-sani, or second Sikander, but he later limited his conquests to India.

Gujarat Expedition (1299 AD)

• Alauddin dispatched his two commanders-in-chief, Ulugh Khan and Nusrat Khan, to invade Rai Karan Baghela's Gujarat.
• Rai Karan Baghela was defeated in the conflict and escaped with his daughter to Devagiri.
• Kamla Devi, King Baghela's wife, was seized by Khilji's troops and sent to Delhi.
• During this campaign, Khilji acquired Malik Kafur, a transsexual (Hizra).
• He was known as 'Hazar-e-Dinar' since Allaudin bought him for 1000 Dinar.

Ranthambore Expedition (1301 AD)

• In 1301 AD, Ulugh Khan and Nusrat Khan led a conquest against the King of Ranthambore, Hamir Deva.
• During this trip, Nusrat Khan perished.
• Alauddin Khilji was personally involved in the conquest.
• Jauhar was committed by Rajput ladies and Hamir Deva's wife.

Chittor Expedition (1303 AD)

• A conquest was led by Alauddin Khilji against Chittor's monarch Rana Ratan Singh.
• Rana Ratan Singh was able to fight against Khilji's army for around seven months before succumbing.
• Finally, Ratan Singh's wife, along with other Rajput ladies, committed Jouhar.
• After the battle, Alauddin handed his elder son Khizra Khan the power to rule Chittor and renamed the city Khizrabad.

Attack on Devagiri

• Malik Kafur attacked Devagiri twice. Devagiri was ruled by Ramchandra Deva Yadava.
• Ramchandra was vanquished, but rather than being held captive, he was invited to Delhi.
• When King Ramchandra accepted the invitation and arrived in Delhi, he was given the title Rai Raiyana (King of kings).
• Alaudin presented King Ramchandra with a regal canopy as a symbol of his power.
• Following King Ramchandra's death, his son Shankar Deva declared independence from the Sultanate, and Malik Kafur raided Devagiri and killed Shankar Deva.

Telangana Expedition

• Malik Kafur led the Telangana conquest against King Pratap Rudra Deva in 1309-10 AD.
• Rudra Deva was defeated, but he bargained with Malik Kafur and promised to recognise the Sultanate's sovereignty and pay taxes to the Sultanate.

Administrative Reforms

• The sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages and intoxicants were illegal in and around Delhi.
• He seized a large number of jagirs and estates and stopped all pensions and allowances. The state cancelled all religious endowments and land grants (waqf and inam).
• He believed in the divine right theory and distinguished between religion and politics.
• He took a number of steps to avoid rebellions, including limiting matrimonial alliances among nobles, appointing spies to keep an eye on them, preventing secret gatherings and parties, and prohibiting ulemas from interfering with administration.

Market Reforms

• Alauddin Khilji started the system of paying warriors in cash.
• Prices had to be checked and managed because soldiers were paid less.
• He established an intricate intelligence network to collect information on black-marketing and hoarding in order to limit the cost of critical commodities.
• The market in charge, Shahana-i-mandi, maintained a watch on the prices of key commodities.

Military Restructuring

• Alauddin kept a large and powerful standing army.
• To avoid false musters and unscrupulous acts, he instituted a system of horse branding (dagh) and the keeping of a complete military registration.
• He paid cash for the salaries.
• Ariz-i-Mumalik was in charge of military appointments.

Reforms to Revenue System

• Alauddin established a separate revenue agency as Diwan-i-Muskharaj.
• He devised a scientific method for measuring land and calculating land revenue.
• Non-muslims were forced to practice jaziya.
• Sardars, jagirdars, and ulemas were all subjected to severe levies.

Art and Architecture

• Despite being illiterate, Alauddin was a strong supporter of art and education.
• Amir Khusrau and Mir Hasan Dehlvi both were present in his court.
• He founded the city of Siri, expanded the Qutabi mosque, and built a gateway.
• He constructed the Jamait Khana Masjid near Qutb Minar and the Alai Darwaza near Nizam-ud-din Auliya's dargah.
• He started building Alai Minar near Qutub Minar but was unable to finish it.

Death of Alauddin Khilji

• Ala-ud-din was free of Mongol challenges throughout the latter half of his reign but was perplexed by domestic issues.
• He had grown old and had lost a lot of mental acuity.
• He became ill and was confined to bed as a result of his hard labor and excessive indulgence.
• Malik Kafur and Alap Khan were dispatched to Delhi to be with him throughout his illness.
• Malik Kafur took advantage of the situation and cleared his route one by one.
• He poisoned Ala-ud-din's ear against his son Khizr Khan and imprisoned him.
• Alap Khan was also removed from his course.
• When the vassal kings learned of Ala-ud-din's illness, they announced their independence by shaking off the Turkish yoke.
• Ala-ud-din was depressed by these developments and died on January 2, 1316.

Conclusion

Allauddin Khilji was the most powerful Sultan of the Delhi sultanate. He was a capable soldier and an excellent army commander. He extended the Delhi Sultanate's territory to the south. His empire stretched from the Indus to Bengal, and from the Himalayas to the Vindhyas. He overcame Raja Ramchandra's rule and forced him to flee to the hills. Alauddin was unwell in his final years and had to rely on Malik Kafur to manage his affairs. Malik Kafur appointed Shihabuddin, son of Alauddin and his Hindu bride Jhatyapali, as a puppet ruler after his death in 1316. Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah, his elder son, assumed power shortly after his death.

FAQs

MCQs

1. What was the primary objective of Ala-ud-din Khilji’s market reforms?

A. To encourage trade with foreign nations
B. To regulate the prices of essential commodities
C. To promote luxury goods in the empire
D. To increase tax revenue

2. Which of the following measures was introduced by Ala-ud-din Khilji to prevent corruption in the army?

A. Introduction of iqta system
B. Branding of horses (dagh)
C. Abolishing military ranks
D. Introduction of revenue farming

3. Which Mongol leader did Ala-ud-din Khilji defeat during his reign?

A. Genghis Khan
B. Timur
C. Qutlugh Khwaja
D. Hulagu Khan

4. What was the significant result of Ala-ud-din Khilji’s revenue reforms?

A. Increase in the power of local nobles
B. Greater state control over land revenue
C. Decrease in agricultural output
D. Creation of new landholding classes

5. Which city did Ala-ud-din Khilji capture during his conquest of Gujarat?

A. Somnath
B. Surat
C. Baroda
D. Ahmedabad

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the impact of Ala-ud-din Khilji’s market reforms on the economy of the Delhi Sultanate.

Answer: Ala-ud-din Khilji’s market reforms had a profound impact on the economy of the Delhi Sultanate. By regulating the prices of essential commodities such as food grains, horses, and cloth, Khilji ensured that goods remained affordable for the common people, thus stabilizing the economy. His reforms also prevented hoarding and black marketing by imposing strict penalties on those who violated the fixed price regulations. The presence of market officers (Shahna-i-Mandi) ensured efficient enforcement of these rules. Additionally, the reforms helped reduce the financial burden on the military, as lower prices for horses and other supplies allowed the Sultan to maintain a large standing army.

Q2: Discuss the significance of Ala-ud-din Khilji’s military reforms in strengthening the Delhi Sultanate’s defenses.

Answer: Ala-ud-din Khilji’s military reforms were crucial in strengthening the defense of the Delhi Sultanate against external threats, particularly the Mongol invasions. His introduction of branding horses (dagh) and descriptive rolls of soldiers (chehra) ensured the authenticity and efficiency of his army. These measures curbed corruption within the military and ensured the loyalty of soldiers. Additionally, his expansion of the military, along with the construction of fortifications around Delhi, played a pivotal role in repelling repeated Mongol invasions. These reforms not only fortified the Sultanate’s defenses but also maintained the internal stability of the empire.

Q3: Evaluate Ala-ud-din Khilji’s approach to controlling the nobility and its impact on the political stability of the Delhi Sultanate.

Answer: Ala-ud-din Khilji’s approach to controlling the nobility was both strategic and effective in maintaining political stability within the Delhi Sultanate. By prohibiting intermarriage among noble families and preventing the formation of alliances, Khilji effectively reduced the power and influence of the nobility. His strict surveillance and severe punishments for conspiracies further discouraged any rebellious activities. These measures ensured that the nobility remained subservient to the central authority, allowing Ala-ud-din to focus on expanding the Sultanate’s territories and consolidating his rule. The suppression of noble uprisings played a significant role in the stability and longevity of his reign.

Previous Year Questions on Ala-ud-din Khilji

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020

Question: Ala-ud-din Khilji’s market reforms aimed at controlling which of the following?
A. Trade with foreign nations
B. Prices of essential commodities
C. Religious practices
D. Military conquests

Answer: B

Explanation: Ala-ud-din Khilji’s market reforms were aimed at controlling the prices of essential commodities like food grains, horses, and cloth to ensure affordability for the population.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1)

Question: Evaluate the significance of Ala-ud-din Khilji’s military reforms in defending the Delhi Sultanate against Mongol invasions.

Explanation: Ala-ud-din Khilji’s military reforms played a crucial role in defending the Delhi Sultanate against the Mongol invasions. His system of branding horses (dagh) and maintaining descriptive rolls (chehra) ensured that only genuine and loyal soldiers served in his army. These measures curbed corruption within the military and increased its efficiency. Ala-ud-din also fortified Delhi and maintained a large standing army to meet the Mongol threat. His reforms helped the Sultanate successfully repel multiple Mongol invasions, ensuring the stability and security of the empire during his reign.