Alauddin Khalji was the second and most powerful ruler of the Khalji Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. He is known for his military conquests, economic reforms, and administrative policies. His reign (1296–1316 CE) marked the expansion of the Delhi Sultanate to its largest extent before the Mughal era.
Basic Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alauddin Khilji |
| Dynasty | Khalji Dynasty |
| Ruled From | 1296 CE – 1316 CE |
| Predecessor | Jalaluddin Khalji |
| Successor | Shihabuddin Omar (briefly), later Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah |
| Major Reforms | Military, Economic, Market Control, Revenue System |
| Major Battles | Mongol Invasions, Rajput Conquests, South India Campaigns |
| Death | 1316 CE (Natural causes) |
Rise to Power
- Alauddin Khalji was the nephew and son-in-law of Jalaluddin Khalji (Founder of the Khalji Dynasty).
- In 1296 CE, he assassinated Jalaluddin Khalji in Kara (UP) and declared himself Sultan.
- Eliminated rivals and suppressed rebellions to establish a strong rule.
Major Military Campaigns & Conquests
1. Mongol Invasions (Defensive Victories)
- Fought and repelled multiple Mongol invasions (1297-1308 CE).
- Strengthened fortifications and military to secure Delhi.
2. Conquest of Gujarat (1299 CE)
- Defeated Raja Karan of Gujarat.
- Captured the famous slave Malik Kafur, who later became his top general.
- Looted immense wealth, including the famous Kohinoor diamond.
3. Conquest of Rajput Kingdoms
- Ranthambore (1301 CE): Defeated Hammir Dev Chauhan.
- Chittor (1303 CE): Defeated Rana Ratan Singh, leading to the famous legend of Queen Padmini’s Jauhar.
- Malwa (1305 CE): Conquered Ujjain, Dhar, and Mandu.
- Jalore & Siwana (1311 CE): Subdued remaining Rajput resistance.
4. South India Campaigns (Led by Malik Kafur)
Alauddin Khalji sent Malik Kafur to conquer South India (Deccan).
- Devagiri (1308 CE): Defeated Raja Ramchandra of the Yadava dynasty.
- Warangal (1310 CE): Subdued Kakatiya ruler Prataparudra.
- Dwarasamudra (1311 CE): Defeated Hoysala ruler Veera Ballala III.
- Madurai (1311 CE): Defeated Pandya ruler Sundara Pandya.
💡 Significance:
- These conquests extended the Delhi Sultanate to South India.
- Huge wealth was looted from these regions.
Administrative & Economic Reforms
1. Market Control Policy (Price Regulation)
- Introduced strict market control to keep prices of essential goods low.
- Fixed prices for grains, clothes, sugar, meat, and fuel.
- Implemented price control in Delhi markets, with officials monitoring traders.
- This helped in maintaining a large army at lower costs.
2. Revenue System (Increased Taxes)
- Introduced a direct revenue system where land revenue was collected from peasants (50% of produce).
- Abolished hereditary land grants to nobles, increasing state control over revenue.
- Strengthened the rural economy to support the military.
3. Military Reforms
- Standing Army: Created a permanent, well-paid, and large standing army.
- Horse Branding System (Dagh): To prevent fake army enlistment.
- Descriptive Roll System (Chehra): Kept records of soldiers.
- Fortifications & Spy System: Strengthened defensive forts and used a strong intelligence network.
4. Abolition of Religious Tax Benefits
- Stopped grants to religious scholars (Ulema).
- Did not follow the Sharia strictly, ruling as an absolute monarch.
Death & Succession
- Died in 1316 CE due to illness.
- His close officer Malik Kafur took control and placed Shihabuddin Omar (Alauddin’s young son) on the throne.
- Later, Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah became Sultan, but the Khalji Dynasty ended in 1320 CE.
Significance of Alauddin Khilji’s Rule
- Expanded the Delhi Sultanate to its greatest extent before the Mughals.
- Strengthened the military and defended against Mongols.
- Introduced economic and administrative reforms that influenced later rulers.
- Suppressed the nobility to maintain absolute power.
Key Facts for Quick Revision
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Dynasty | Khalji Dynasty |
| Ruled From | 1296 CE – 1316 CE |
| Predecessor | Jalaluddin Khalji |
| Successor | Shihabuddin Omar (briefly), later Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah |
| Major Economic Reform | Market Control System |
| Major Military Reform | Horse Branding (Dagh) & Descriptive Rolls (Chehra) |
| Famous General | Malik Kafur |
| Major Threat | Mongol Invasions |
| Death | 1316 CE |
MCQs on Alauddin Khalji
1. Who was the most powerful ruler of the Khalji Dynasty?
A) Jalaluddin Khalji
B) Alauddin Khalji
C) Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah
D) Malik Kafur
Answer: B) Alauddin Khalji
2. What was the main purpose of Alauddin Khalji’s Market Control System?
A) To increase state revenue
B) To reduce corruption
C) To ensure stable prices for army maintenance
D) To help traders earn more
Answer: C) To ensure stable prices for army maintenance
3. Which Rajput kingdom was conquered in 1303 CE?
A) Ranthambore
B) Chittor
C) Malwa
D) Jalore
Answer: B) Chittor
4. Who led the South India campaigns for Alauddin Khalji?
A) Jalaluddin Khalji
B) Ghiyasuddin Balban
C) Malik Kafur
D) Firoz Shah Tughlaq
Answer: C) Malik Kafur
5. What was the “Dagh” system introduced by Alauddin Khalji?
A) A tax system
B) A price control policy
C) A horse branding system for army recruitment
D) A fortification policy
Answer: C) A horse branding system for army recruitment
Subjective Questions on Alauddin Khalji
Short Answer Questions (2-5 Marks)
- What were the major achievements of Alauddin Khalji?
- How did Alauddin Khalji control the economy through his Market Control System?
- What was the significance of the Mongol invasions during his reign?
- Who was Malik Kafur, and what was his role in the South India campaigns?
- How did Alauddin Khalji suppress the nobility and centralize power?
Long Answer Questions (8-15 Marks)
- Discuss the military campaigns of Alauddin Khalji and their impact on India.
- Explain the economic reforms of Alauddin Khalji and their effectiveness.
- How did Alauddin Khalji defend India from Mongol invasions?
- What administrative measures did Alauddin Khalji take to strengthen the Delhi Sultanate?
- Analyze the impact of Alauddin Khalji’s policies on the Delhi Sultanate’s stability.
These notes are essential for UPSC, SSC, State PSCs, NDA, CDS, and other competitive exams covering Medieval Indian History.