Khilji Dynasty

The Khilji Dynasty (1290–1320 AD) was the second ruling dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, founded by Jalaluddin Khilji. Its most prominent ruler, Alauddin Khilji, greatly expanded the empire through military conquests and introduced significant administrative, military, revenue, and market reforms.

Jalaluddin Khilji (1290–1296 AD)

Foundation of the Dynasty

• • Jalaluddin Khilji founded the Khilji Dynasty in 1290 AD, marking the end of the Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty.

Alauddin Khilji (1296–1316 AD)

Accession to the Throne

• • Alauddin Khilji was the nephew and son-in-law of Jalaluddin Khilji.
  • He assassinated Jalaluddin Khilji and ascended the throne in 1296 AD.

Political Philosophy

• • He became the first Turkish Sultan of Delhi to separate religion from politics.
  • He proclaimed the famous principle: “Kingship knows no Kinship.”

Alauddin’s Imperialism

     Northern Conquests

Alauddin Khilji significantly expanded the Delhi Sultanate by annexing:

• • • Gujarat (1298 AD)
    • Ranthambhor (1301 AD)
    • Mewar (1303 AD)
    • Malwa (1305 AD)
    • Jalore (1311 AD)

     Deccan Campaigns

His trusted general Malik Kafur led successful campaigns in the Deccan and defeated:

• • Ram Chandra – Yadava ruler of Devagiri
  • Pratap Rudradeva – Kakatiya ruler of Warangal
  • Vir Ballal III – Hoysala ruler of Dwarasamudra
  • Vir Pandya – Pandya ruler of Madurai

Administrative Reforms

Four Ordinances

To curb the power of the nobles, Alauddin issued Four Important Ordinances:

    First Ordinance

• • Ordered the confiscation of religious endowments and land grants, thereby reducing the economic power of nobles.

    Second Ordinance

• • Reorganised the spy system to keep close surveillance over officials and nobles.

    Third Ordinance

• • Prohibited the consumption of wine, aiming to discourage conspiracies and immoral activities.

    Fourth Ordinance

• • Banned social gatherings and inter-marriages among nobles without the Sultan’s permission to prevent political alliances.

Military Reforms

• Introduced the Dagh System (branding of horses) to prevent fraud in cavalry recruitment.
• Introduced the Chehra System (descriptive roll or personal record of soldiers) for better military administration.

Revenue Reforms

• Ordered systematic measurement of land before fixing the state’s share of revenue.
• Created the post of Mustakharaj for the collection and supervision of revenue.
• Directed that peasants should pay land revenue in the form of produce.

Market Reforms

   Price Control Policy

To regulate prices and prevent inflation, Alauddin established three specialised markets in Delhi:

1. 1. Market for food grains
   2. Market for costly cloth and luxury goods
   3. Market for horses, slaves, and cattle

   Market Administration

• • Each market was supervised by a senior official called the Shahna.
  • The Shahna maintained a register of merchants and strictly regulated shopkeepers and prices.

   Intelligence over Markets

• • Market activities were monitored by:
    
    • Diwan-i-Riyasat
    • Shahna-i-Mandi

   Sarai-i-Adl

• • All goods meant for sale had to be brought to an open market called Sarai-i-Adl, ensuring transparency and proper regulation.

Architectural Contributions

• • Constructed several important forts, the most notable being Alai Fort.
  • Built the magnificent Alai Darwaza, the southern gateway of the Qutub Minar complex.
  • Began the construction of the Alai Minar, intended to be twice the height of the Qutub Minar, but it remained unfinished.

Patronage of Learning

• • Alauddin Khalji was a great patron of art and literature.
  • His most celebrated court poet and musician was Amir Khusrau.

Succession after Alauddin

   Rise of Malik Kafur

• • After Alauddin’s death in 1316 AD, Malik Kafur seized power.
  • Before Alauddin died, Kafur proclaimed Shihabuddin (Alauddin’s six-year-old son) as Sultan.
  • He simultaneously imprisoned the eldest prince Mubarak Khan.
  • Soon afterwards, Malik Kafur was killed by loyalists of the royal family.

Mubarak Khan (1316–1320 AD)

Accession

• • After Kafur’s death, Mubarak Khan was released from prison.
  • Initially acting as regent for Shihabuddin, he soon captured the throne for himself.

Rule

• • His reign lasted only four years because he became deeply attached to his favourite Mubarak Hassan and neglected administration.
  • Mubarak Hassan gradually gained complete control over the army and palace guards.

Rise of Khusrau Khan

• • Mubarak Hassan assumed the title Khusrau Khan.
  • Within a few months, Khusrau Khan assassinated Mubarak Khan and adopted the royal title Nasiruddin in 1320 AD.

Khusrau Khan (1320 AD)

End of the Khilji Dynasty

• • Khusrau Khan was defeated and killed by Ghazi Malik, the Governor of Dipalpur.
  • With his victory, Ghazi Malik founded the Tughlaq Dynasty, bringing the Khilji Dynasty to an end.

The Khilji Dynasty strengthened and expanded the Delhi Sultanate through successful conquests and innovative reforms. Despite its brief rule and succession struggles, the dynasty left a lasting impact on governance and paved the way for the rise of the Tughlaq Dynasty.