During the reign of Ala-ud-Din khilji, Mongol attacks became more ferocious than before. They had previously invaded India in order to obtain booty and expand their area of influence, but now they are attacking India to avenge their previous defeats while simultaneously expanding their empire. Seven violent Mongol invasions occurred under Ala-ud-Din's reign, but Ala-ud-Din was able to defeat the Mongols each time. Ala-ud-Din devised a firm and methodical border policy to defeat them. In this article, we will discuss the Mongol Invasion during Khalji Dynasty which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Mongol Invasion - Background

• The Mongols were nomadic people that lived from the Ural Mountains to the Gobi Desert in Central Asia.
• They were a turbulent tribe that was often at odds with one another until Genghis Khan brought them together in 1206.
• At his peak in 1237, he embarked on a conquering route that would see him build an empire stretching from Korea in the east to the borders of Poland in the west.
• The Mongol Empire is still the world's largest contiguous land empire.
• When Genghis Khan chased the final monarch of the Khwarezmian Empire, Jalal al Din, all the way to the Indus River in 1221, he conducted many raids into India.
• Following Genghis Khan's death in 1227, his sons waged a civil war within the Mongol empire.
• Following this period, large-scale invasions declined, giving the Delhi Sultanate enough time to strengthen its defenses.

Measures taken by Alauddin against Mongol Invasion

• In dealing with the Mongol threat, he adopted Balban's "blood and iron" strategy.
• As a result, he constructed a protective wall around Delhi and renovated the old forts along the Mongol path.
• New fortifications were constructed and placed under the command of experienced officers and well-trained men.
• Armament factories were established with experienced engineers and technicians.
• The North-West Frontier was to be defended by a permanent and distinct army. The North-West Frontier was given a separate governor.
• Separate armies were stationed in the boundary territories of Dipalpur, Samana, and Multan.
• The army was reorganized and its offensive power was increased.
• The frontier defense was assigned to experienced generals such as Zafar Khan, Ghazi Malik, and Malik Kafur.

Mongol Invasion

• A Mongol army of 50,000- 60,000 horsemen marched to Delhi in 1299 under the orders of Duwa Khan's sons Qutlug Khwaja and Temur Buqa.
• The Mongols' numbers indicate that this was a full-scale invasion rather than a punitive raid.
• The Mongols skipped several towns and villages in their attempt to strike at Delhi while the Sultan's main force was campaigning in Gujarat.
• At the Yamuna River, they were met by a sultanate force led by Zafar Khan.
• The Delhi army was routed and forced to retreat to the capital.
• Fear and panic permeated the city after the setback, and Alauddin convened a council to discuss the next steps.
• Despite his advisors' warnings that the Mongols were too numerous, powerful, and close, Alauddin resolved to fight and marched north of Delhi to Kili with whatever forces he could muster.

Battle of Kili

• Alauddin led a force of 300,000 men and 2700 war elephants, although modern historians estimate a force of 70,000 men and 700 elephants against the 50,000-60,000 Mongols.
• To avenge his failure at the Yamuna, Zafar Khan led the first charge against the Mongols.
• He pursued the fleeing Mongols for eighteen kos before being attacked by them on his way back.
• His Sultan made no effort to save him due to the widespread mistrust of his subordinates.
• Zafar pushed on despite being abandoned and cornered till he was arrested.
• Qutlugh Khwaja admired his bravery and invited him to join the Mongols, even proposing to make him ruler.
• Zafar Khan rejected, being devoted to the sultan who had deserted him.
• Qutlugh Khwaja executed him and all his army.
• With this victory, it appeared like Qutlug would defeat Alauddin Khilji and take control of the Sultanate.
• However, the Mongols withdrew after Qutlug was hurt in the battle during Zafar Khan's execution.
• Qutlug died as a result of his injuries, and the Mongols had lost their prince.
• Alauddin let them retreat and then he also returned to Delhi.

Siege of Delhi

• Alauddin sent an army to raid the Kakatiya capital Warangal in the winter of 1302–1303, and then marched to Chittor himself.
• Around August 1303 when the Mongols saw Delhi was undefended, they launched another invasion.
• Although Alauddin arrived in Delhi ahead of the invaders, he did not have enough time to build a robust defense.
• He sought refuge in a strongly guarded camp at the Siri Fort, which was still under construction.
• The Mongols pillaged Delhi and its environs, but were unable to breach Siri, forcing them to retreat.
• Alauddin strengthened the forts and military presence along their route to India as a result of this encounter with the Mongols.
• He also implemented a number of economic reforms to assure adequate revenue inflows for the continuous maintenance of the army.

Battle of Amroha

• In December 1305, Duwa despatched another army south-east to the Gangetic plains via the Himalayan foothills, bypassing the strongly fortified capital of Delhi.
• At the Battle of Amroha, Alauddin's 30,000-strong cavalry, headed by Malik Nayak, beat the Mongols.
• A huge number of Mongols were captured and slaughtered.

Battle of Ravi

• In 1306, Duwa dispatched another Mongol army to advance along the Ravi River, plundering the lands along the way.
• Kopek, Iqbalmand, and Tai-Bu led three contingents in this army.
• The invaders were decisively crushed by Alauddin's army, led by Malik Kafur.

After Battle of Ravi

• In the same year, the Mongol Khan Duwa died, and the Mongol expeditions into India came to a halt due to a succession dispute.
• Taking advantage of this circumstance, Alauddin's general Malik Tughluq raided the Mongol holdings in modern-day Afghanistan on a regular basis.
• The descendants of the Mongols, Timurids and Mughals would eventually play a significant role in the history of Medieval India.

Conclusion

The Mongols raided the sultanate multiple times during Alauddin's reign, plundering Delhi and the surrounding provinces, but they were always destroyed. As a result, throughout the later years of his rule, the Mongols did not dare to attack India. The border policy of Alauddin was a huge success. The Mongols not only stopped attacking during the last years of Alauddin rule, but they also had to defend themselves against Alauddin's army. The governor of the North-West Frontier raided Kabul, Ghazni, and Kandhar, plundering Mongol territory.

FAQs

Q1: What were the major Mongol invasions during the Khalji Dynasty?

Q2: Who was the ruler of the Delhi Sultanate during the Mongol invasions?

Q3: How did Alauddin Khalji respond to the Mongol invasions?

Q4: What impact did the Mongol invasions have on the Khalji Dynasty?

Q5: Did the Mongols succeed in capturing Delhi during the Khalji Dynasty?

MCQs

1. During which ruler's reign did the Mongol invasions occur in the Khalji Dynasty?

a) Jalaluddin Khalji

b) Alauddin Khalji

c) Qutbuddin Aibak

d) Iltutmish

2. Which battle was fought between Alauddin Khalji and the Mongols in 1299?

a) Battle of Panipat

b) Battle of Amroha

c) Battle of Jaran-Manjur

d) Battle of Tarain

3. How did Alauddin Khalji strengthen his military against Mongol invasions?

a) By forming alliances with Mongol leaders

b) By creating a standing army and building forts

c) By retreating to southern India

d) By negotiating peace with the Mongols

4. What was the impact of the Mongol invasions on Alauddin Khalji’s administrative policies?

a) Reduction in military spending

b) Establishment of a permanent standing army

c) Withdrawal from northern territories

d) Adoption of Mongol culture

5. Which of the following battles was fought in 1305 between the Khalji forces and the Mongols?

a) Battle of Jaran-Manjur

b) Battle of Tarain

c) Battle of Amroha

d) Battle of Khanwa

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the military strategies of Alauddin Khalji in defending the Delhi Sultanate from Mongol invasions.

Answer: Alauddin Khalji employed several effective military strategies to defend the Delhi Sultanate from Mongol invasions. He strengthened the military by establishing a permanent standing army, which was well-trained and equipped to respond quickly to external threats. He also built and fortified strategic forts to defend the borders of his empire. His defensive tactics included positioning troops at key locations and ensuring the army had access to ample resources through increased taxation. Alauddin Khalji's leadership in key battles such as the Battle of Jaran-Manjur (1299) and the Battle of Amroha (1305) demonstrated his strategic acumen in defeating the Mongols multiple times. His reforms ensured the Sultanate's security against repeated Mongol invasions.

Q2: Discuss the impact of the Mongol invasions on the political and administrative structure of the Khalji Dynasty.

Answer: The Mongol invasions had a significant impact on the political and administrative structure of the Khalji Dynasty. Alauddin Khalji introduced military and administrative reforms to counter the Mongol threat. He established a permanent standing army, which was a departure from the earlier practice of assembling troops only in times of war. To finance his military campaigns, he introduced a system of heavy taxation, especially targeting the agrarian economy. The invasions also influenced the construction of forts and defenses across the empire, further solidifying his administrative control. Politically, these invasions reinforced Alauddin's authority as a strong ruler capable of defending the Sultanate from formidable external forces.

Q3: Evaluate the significance of the Mongol invasions in shaping the foreign policy of the Delhi Sultanate during Alauddin Khalji’s reign.

Answer: The Mongol invasions played a crucial role in shaping the foreign policy of the Delhi Sultanate under Alauddin Khalji. His foreign policy was centered on defending the empire from external threats and maintaining territorial integrity. The repeated Mongol attacks compelled him to focus on fortifying the northern borders and securing alliances with neighboring regions to create a buffer zone against further invasions. The successful defense against the Mongols also enhanced Alauddin's stature among contemporary rulers, both in India and abroad. His foreign policy was characterized by a defensive posture, aimed at maintaining the sovereignty of the Sultanate while avoiding unnecessary entanglements with the Mongol Empire.

Previous Year Questions on  Mongol Invasion

1. UPSC CSE 2017

Question: Analyze the role of Alauddin Khalji in defending the Delhi Sultanate against the Mongol invasions. 

Answer: Alauddin Khalji played a pivotal role in defending the Delhi Sultanate from repeated Mongol invasions during his reign. He implemented several military and administrative reforms that enabled the Sultanate to withstand Mongol attacks. One of his key strategies was the establishment of a permanent standing army, which was crucial in responding to invasions promptly. Additionally, he fortified important cities and built defensive structures along the northern borders. Battles like Jaran-Manjur (1299) and Amroha (1305) showcased his military prowess and ability to repel the Mongol forces. His leadership not only safeguarded the Sultanate but also strengthened his position as a ruler capable of defending against external threats.

2. UPSC CSE 2018

Question: Discuss the impact of Mongol invasions on the internal policies of the Khalji Dynasty. 

Answer: The Mongol invasions had a profound impact on the internal policies of the Khalji Dynasty, particularly during Alauddin Khalji's reign. To counter the invasions, Alauddin restructured the military by establishing a permanent standing army and imposing increased taxation to fund defense efforts. His internal policies also focused on maintaining law and order within the Sultanate, as he feared that internal instability could weaken the empire's defenses. Alauddin introduced market reforms to ensure the availability of provisions for his army and the general population. The need for a strong and disciplined military force influenced many of his administrative reforms, ensuring the Sultanate's resilience against future invasions.