A short Note on Jalaluddin Khilji

From 1290 until 1320, the Khalji dynasty governed the Delhi Sultanate. Khilji was the originator and the first Sultan of the Khilji dynasty. Known initially as Firuz, Jalaluddin began his career as just a Mamluk dynasty official and ascended to a power position beneath Sultan Muizzuddin Qaiqabad. Following the paralysis of Qaiqabad, several nobles nominated his newborn son Shamsuddin Kayumars as the next Sultan and attempted to assassinate Jalaluddin. However, Jalaluddin assassinated all and took over as the king. He toppled Kayumars and became Sultan a few weeks later.

Ascending to the Throne

In June 1290, in the incomplete Kilokhri Palace outside Delhi, Jalaluddin succeeded to the throne of Delhi. Jalaluddin was disliked at the moment of his ascent. He didn’t have much backing from the old Turkic lords, who mistook him for an Afghan and assumed he was of non-Turkic descent. Furthermore, he was a 70-year-old guy whose gentle demeanour was deemed unfit. He refused to relocate to Balban’s palace in Delhi due to his disfavour and instead spent a year in Kilokri. He completed the palace and established Kilokhri as a significant city.

Jalaluddin eventually overcame the early animosity he had received from Delhi residents. In contrast to previous dictators like Balban, he earned a reputation as a modest and kind-hearted ruler. After arriving in Delhi, he exited the royal entry towards the Red Palace. He declined to sit on the king’s throne inside the royal audience hall, claiming that the reign had indeed been imposed upon him due to Surkha and Kachhan’s evil intentions.

Administrative and Economic Policies of Jalaluddin Khilji

Jalaluddin Khilji’s economic policies and administration were exceedingly tight, and everything was under his control. The position of peasants, businesspeople, and the average man was dire and challenging to maintain at times. He adjusted the expenditure techniques only to boost his budget, pay his commitments, and stockpile for his expansionist wars.

All agricultural products, livestock, and enslaved people within the empire were subject to quality regulations, including restrictions on when, how, or by whom they might be sold. A large group of investigators could scan the mandi and apprehend anyone attempting to purchase or sell something outside of the authorised range. The individual hoarding of food was outlawed. Jalaluddin Khilji established a distribution system and a quality management system. He simply increased agricultural taxes from 20% – to 50%, paid in the form of grains and country products or currency, and eliminated instalments. These limitations reduced expenditures and lowered earnings to the level that ordinary people weren’t affected.

Attack by Mongols

The Mongols raided the Delhi Sultanate’s northwest boundary shortly after Chajju’s rebellion. At Bar-ram’s site, their two armies met, and their pathfinders fought in brief skirmishes. The Delhi soldiers prevailed in the conflicts, as well as the Mongols consented to retire. Upon exchanging pleasant welcomes, Jalaluddin addressed Abdullah as his son.

The Mongols were severe outlaws in the Delhi Sultanate, having committed murders and roadside robberies. Jalaluddin acknowledged their apologies and welcomed them to his Lakhnauti border in the southern Ganges plain. He also gave housing, salaries, and social positions to the newcomers. “New Muslims” was the name given to such Mongols.

Assassination 

Jalaluddin resumed his voyage to Kara aboard the boat, reading the Quran. Ali’s entourage welcomed him as he arrived in Kara, and Ali solemnly dropped himself to his feet. Jalaluddin lifted Ali tenderly, kissed him on the cheek, and chastised him for questioning his uncle’s love. At this time, Ali motioned Muhammad Salim, who slashed Jalaluddin repeatedly with the sword. Jalaluddin escaped the first hit and rushed back to his boat, but he was murdered by the second. Ali declared himself Sultan by raising the imperial canopy above his head. Ali’s territories of Kara-Manikpur & Awadh were paraded with Jalal-ud-head din’s mounted on a spear. Ahmad Chap’s troops withdrew to Delhi after his boat friends were slaughtered.

Conclusion

Jalal ud din Firuz Khilji was indeed the originator of the Khilji Dynasty. At the age of 70, he assassinated the last descendant of the Slave Kings and crowned himself Sultan over Delhi Sultanate. Malik Firuz had been Jalaluddin Firuz Khilji’s first name. He wasn’t a harsh person in general. During the reign of Jalaluddin Khilji, the Mongols invaded India behind Halaku, and then after some discussions, they were able to avert a full-scale war. If it was a plotter or a traitor, Jalaluddin Khilji forgave convicts. The courtiers & nobility disapproved of this strategy. They seemed genuinely irritated by his generosity. Consequently, Jalaluddin Khilji had been assassinated by Alauddin Khilji, his nephew and son-in-law, who would become the heir to the throne of the Khilji Dynasty.