3.2 Khalji Dynasty (1290–1320 CE)

3.2 Khalji Dynasty (1290–1320 CE)

Jalaluddin Khalji (1290–1296 CE) — founder; elderly, mild ruler; murdered by his nephew and son-in-law Alauddin Khalji.

Alauddin Khalji (1296–1316 CE) — In Depth

• Most powerful ruler of the Khalji dynasty; expanded the Sultanate deep into the Deccan and South India (through his general Malik Kafur).
• Conquests:
  • Annexed Gujarat, Ranthambore, Chittor (Mewar — associated in legend with Rani Padmini), Malwa, Jalore in the north/west.
  • Sent Malik Kafur on campaigns into the Deccan and South India — defeated the Yadavas of Devagiri, Kakatiyas of Warangal, Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra, and Pandyas of Madurai — extracted huge tribute (though did not permanently annex most of the far south).
• Repelled repeated Mongol invasions (under leaders like Qutlugh Khwaja) into Punjab/Delhi — a major achievement, as Mongol threat was severe during his reign.
• Market Reforms (Market Control Policy) — very important for exams:
  • Aimed to maintain a large, cheap standing army by strictly controlling market prices (since the state paid low cash salaries to soldiers).
  • Fixed prices for foodgrains, cloth, horses, slaves, and other commodities.
  • Established three markets in Delhi: Grain market (Mandi), Cloth market (Sarai Adl), and market for horses/slaves/cattle.
  • Appointed officers to enforce price control: Shahna-i-Mandi (controller of the grain market), along with spies (barids) to report violations.
  • Maintained state granaries; regulated grain hoarding; ordered farmers/grain merchants (Banjaras) to register and sell at fixed prices.
  • Alauddin also revised the land revenue system: increased land tax to 50% of produce (from the earlier lower rates) in the Doab region, measured land systematically (based on measurement, not just estimation), abolished many intermediary rights of village headmen (Khuts, Muqaddams, Chaudharis) to increase state revenue directly.
  • Introduced new taxes and a strict administrative machinery to enforce these reforms.
  • These measures — though harsh — allowed him to maintain a huge army at low cost and successfully repel the Mongols.
• Titles: called himself "Sikandar-i-Sani" (Second Alexander).
• Patronized the poet Amir Khusrau ("Parrot of India") — wrote in Persian; pioneer of Hindustani/Indo-Persian literary tradition; credited with contributions to Qawwali and various musical instruments (traditionally, sitar/tabla — debated by historians).
• Built Alai Darwaza (gateway, Qutub complex, Delhi) and Siri Fort (his new capital city near Delhi) and the Hauz Khas reservoir.
• Died 1316 CE; empire declined rapidly under weak successors; dynasty ended with Khusrau Khan (a usurper) being overthrown by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq in 1320 CE.

Key Facts / Quick Revision Points — Khalji Dynasty

• Jalaluddin Khalji — founder (1290).
• Alauddin Khalji — greatest Khalji ruler; Sikandar-i-Sani.
• Malik Kafur — general who led Deccan/South India campaigns (Devagiri, Warangal, Dwarasamudra, Madurai).
• Market reforms: fixed prices, Shahna-i-Mandi, three markets, granaries.
• Land revenue raised to 50% in Doab.
• Amir Khusrau — court poet ("Parrot of India"), wrote in Persian, associated with Qawwali.
• Alai Darwaza, Siri Fort — built by Alauddin.
• Repelled multiple Mongol invasions.