Khilji Dynasty (1290 – 1320) AD

Jalaluddin Khilji (1290 – 1296): 

• The real name of Jalaluddin was Malik Firuz.
• Jalaluddin Khilji is the founder of the Khilji Dynasty.
• Mongols attacked India under the leadership of Abdullah, who was the son of Jalaluddin.
• Jalaluddin appointed Alauddin as the Iqtedar of Haasi and Kada, 
• Alauddin was Jalaluddin’s nephew.
• Jalaluddin was killed by Alauddin in Kada.

Alauddin Khilji (1296 -1316):

• Alauddin Khilji was a nephew and son-in-law of Jalaluddin Khilji. 
• In 1296, Alauddin Khilji took over the throne after killing Jalaluddin.
• The first Turkish Sultan of Delhi to separate politics from religion was Alauddin.
•  He proclaimed ‘Kingship knows no Kingships’.

Alauddin’s Imperialism –

Alauddin annexed:-
Gujarat (1298), Ranthambore (1301), Mewar (1303), Malwa (1305), Jalore(1311).
In Deccan, Alauddin’s army led by Malik Kafur defeated Ramachandra (Yadava ruler of Devagiri), Pratap Rudradeva (Kakatiya ruler of Warangal), Veera Ballala III (Hoysala ruler of Dwarasamudra) and Vir Pandya  (Pandya ruler of Madurai).

Administrative Reforms Of Alauddin Khilji

• Alauddin enacted 4 ordinances to prevent the issues the nobles brought about. The 1st ordinance aimed to confiscate the religious endowments and free grants of lands. By the 2nd ordinance, Alauddin reorganised the spy system. The third ordinance outlawed the consumption of wine. The 4th ordinance issued by Alauddin laid down that nobles should not have a social gathering and they should not inter-marry without his permission.
• He introduced the system of Dagh (the branding of a horse) and Chehra (the descriptive roll of soldiers).
• Alauddin commanded that all land be measured before the state’s share was determined.
• To collect money, a position for a special officer called Mustakharaj was established.
• The peasants had to pay for the produce as land revenue. 
• Alauddin aimed to stabilise all commodity prices. He established three markets in Delhi for this purpose: one for food grains, one for pricey clothing, and one for horses, slaves, and livestock. A senior official named Shahna was in charge of overseeing each market. She kept track of the traders and tightly regulated the prices and shopkeeper behaviour. Diwan-i-Riyasat and Shahna-i-Mandi were the two officers that kept watch over the market.
• All products for sale were taken to Sara-i-Adal, a public market.
• He built numerous forts, with Alai Fort being the most significant. He also built the Alai Darwaja, the Qutub Minar’s main entrance. He also constructed the Hazar Sutun Palace of a Thousand Pillars.
• He supported education and the arts. His favourite court poet was the musician and poet Amir Khusrau.
• In 1316, after the death of Alauddin, Malik Kafur, called Hajardinari seized the throne. Before Kafur died, he nominated Shihabuddin (Alauddin’s 6-year-old prince) as King but imprisoned the eldest prince Mubarak Khan. The supporters of the Alauddin royal family assassinated Kafur.

Mubarak Khan (1316-1320) :

Mubarak Khan was released from prison upon Kafur’s passing and served as Shihabuddin’s regent. He captured the throne at the first opportunity he got but could rule only for a year as he sank into debauchery and could not give up his dissipated lifestyle. He awarded his lover Mubarak Hassan authority over the army and palace guards, who soon obtained full control over Sultan’s palace. Mubarak Hassan was given the Khusrau Khan by the Sultan and within months Khusrau killed Mubarak Khan and assumed the title of Nasiruddin in mid-1320.

Khusrau Khan (1320) :

When Khusrau Khan attempted to put down a rebellion led by Ghazi Malik and his son Fakhruddin Jauna, Ghazi Malik, the governor of Dipalpur, assassinated him. This brought the end of the Khilji dynasty and established the Tughlaq dynasty on the throne of Delhi. 

In this topic we have covered all the important facts about Khilji and Tughlaq Dynasty which have been asked in previous exams or there are chances of being asked. With this article you will get a brief overview of these topics. This article is relevant for all one day examinations.