Who was Jalal-ud-din Khilji?

Introduction

Jalal-ud-din Khilji was 70 years of age when he took over as Sultan, and during the time of his reign, he was known as a humble, kind and mannered Sultan from the public point of view. To avoid confrontation with the old Turkic nobles of the imperial capital Delhi during the initial year, he made decisions and ruled from Kilokhri. Many nobles believed Jalal-ud-din Khilji was a weak ruler and attempted to overthrow him several times but were unsuccessful. He gave rebels easy and lenient punishments except for Sidi Maula. Sidi Maula was executed as he conspired against the Sultan and the throne. Firuz or  Jalal-ud-din was assassinated by Ali Gurshasp, who went by Alauddin Khalji.

Early Life of Jalal-ud-din

Jalal-ud-din Khilji, also known as Firuz, was initiated as a Mamluk dynasty officer. Under Sultan Muizzuddin Qaiqabad,He rose exponentially as a  Sar-I-Jandar known as the chief of the royal bodyguards. Later, he was the governor of the Samana frontier province. After the paralysation of Qaiqabad, some nobles appointed Shamsuddin Kayumars, the infant son of the Sultan, as the new Sultan. 

In 1287 after Balban’s death, Malik al-Umara Fakhruddin, Delhi Kotawal enthroned Muiz ud din Qaiqabad, Balban’s teenage grandson and gave him the title Muizzuddin. Malik Nizamuddin, who was Qaiqabad, ran the administration as Qaiqabad proved to be a weak ruler. Some rival officers poisoned Nizamuddin, leading Qaiqabad to summon Jalal-ud-din Khilji from Samana to Delhi. Jalal-ud-din Khilji was appointed as Ariz-i-malik and given the title of “Shaista Khan”, and eventually, he was made governor of Baran.

Lineage of Jalal-ud-din

Malika-i-Jahan, also known as the Queen of the World, was the daughter of Jalaluddin Khilji. Her mother was also titled as Malika-i-Jahan, the chief wife of Jalaluddin. Malika-i-Jahan was a very arrogant and ambitious lady and had significant influence over the Sultan. 

She had three brothers: Khan-i-Khan, Arkali Khan and Qadr Khan. She was married to Alauddin Khilji, Shihabuddin Mas’ud, better known as Jalaluddin’s older brother’s eldest son. This made Malika-i-Jahan the first cousin of Alauddin. After the death of Alauddin’s father, he was brought and raised by Jalaluddin. Almas Beg, who was the younger brother of Alauddin, also married another daughter of Jalaluddin.

Throne Ascension

Jalal-ud-din Khilji, also known as Firuz, took over as Sultan of the Delhi sultanate in June 1290. It took place at the Kilokri Palace situated in Delhi, unfinished. He was widely unpopular with old Turkic nobles as, according to their perspective, he was Afghan (Pashtun) and of non-Turkic ancestry, which was wrongly believed. As he was unpopular, he moved to Balban after briefly finishing the palace in Kilokri, turning it into a viable town. He did not make any considerable administrative and other policy changes and restored old Turkish nobles to their respective offices when in Balban. 

Jalal-ud-din Khilji appointed his close relative and the people he trusted, such as associates in important offices. Jalal-ud-din did prove his worth and overcame the initial revolt from the Delhi citizens. He garnered a good reputation of being a humble, kind, and well-mannered monarch. In the royal audience hall, He stated that the crown was imposed on him, and it was purely intended due to the bad intentions of Kachhan and Gurkha. Jala-ud-din, after his kind actions and noble gestures, overcame the resentment of the Delhi citizens. 

Invasion by Mongols

After the revolt initiated by the Chajju, invasion by the Mongols to the Delhi Sultanate’s north west frontier took place. According to Ziauddin Barani, Abdullah, the grandson of Hulagu Khan, led this expedition. Multan, Dipalpur and Samana were the frontier provinces governed under Jalal-ud-din Khilji son Arkali Khan. Jalal-ud-din personally led an army for the repulsion of the invaders. The skirmish was engaged, proving an advantage for the Delhi forces. This led to the retreat by the Mongolian forces. After some friendly greetings, Jalal-ud-din called Abdullah his son.

Another group that another grandson of Hulagu named Ulghu led decided upon embracing Islam and for settlement in India embraced Jalal-ud-din’s permission. Mongols were considered to be criminals of the utmost level in the Delhi Sultanate. Although this Jalal-ud-din Khilji allowed them to settle and pardon their crimes. Jalal-ud-din also gave them a place for accommodation, ranks and allowances. These Mongols later were categorised as the New Muslims.

Conclusion

The Khilji Dynasty eliminated the enslaved people, the Mamluk Dynasty. Jalal-ud-din Firuz Khilji was the Khilji Dynasty founder. He eradicated the last remnants and descendants of the Muk or enslaved person dynasty, and then via self-declaration was the Sultan of Delhi sultanate in 1290 AD. He was said to be a kind, humble and well-mannered Sultan. India was attacked by the Mongols when Jalaluddin Khilji’s tenure was active under Halaku, but it was avoided as both sides came to negotiations. An attack by Mongols was made again, this time under Ulugh Khan. He then further accepted Islam and married the Sultan’s daughter.