Allauddin Khilji (1296-1316 C.E.): Allauddin Khilji’s early name was Aligurshap. He lost his father in his boyhood and was brought up in the care of Jalaluddin. Allauddin married Jalaluddin’s daughter and was appointed as the Governor of Khara province. He was highly ambition usanda spircdt o become the ruler of Delhi.In 1294,he set his eyes on Devagiri. It’s ruler Ramachandradeva was defeated by him. Allauddin returned to Khara with a heavy amount of booty. Jalaluddin was unaware of the evil intentions of Allauddin. He went to receive Aliauddin with only a few unarmed guards and was murdered by the supporters of Allauddin. Thus, Allauddin became the Sultan of Delhi in 1296C.E.
Military Achievements of Allauddin:
A) The conquests of North India :
1. Conquest of Gujarat in 1297 C.E.: Allauddin sent Ulugh Khan and Nazarath Khan, his generals to conquer Gujarat in 1297 C.E. Raja Kamadeva – II was defeated and he fled to Devagiri along with his daughter Devaladevi. The generals captured Kamaladevi (Queen of Kamadeva) and she was taken to Delhi and Allauddin married her. The Delhi troops plundered the rich ports of Gujarat.
2. Conquest of Ranathanihore in 1301 C.E.: Allauddin turned his attention towards Ranathambore. Hamira Deva, the ruler of Ranathambore, had given shelter to a few muslims (Neo muslims) who were enemies of Allauddin. So, Allauddin invaded and took over Ranathambore.
3. Expedition onMevvar (Chiltor) in 1303 C.E.: Allauddin led an expedition against Rana Ratan Singh of Chittoor (Mewar). I Ie desired to possess Rani Padmini of Mewar, Queen of Ratan Singh, renowned for her beauty and talent. The fort of Chittor was captured with great hardship. Padmini and other rajput women committed ‘Jauhar’. Chittor was captured and Khizer Khan (son of Allauddin) was made the Governor of Chittor.
4. Other conquests: Allauddin took an expedition to Mai wa in 1305 C.E. Mahakaladeva, the ruler of Malwa was defeated by him. The territories of Ujjain, Mandu, Dhara, Chanderi and Jolur were subjugated to Allauddin. He became the master of the whole of north India.
B) The Mongol Invasion (Raids): In 1299 C.E., Mongols attacked Delhi under Qualugh Khwaji. Frequent raids by the Mongols were a constant threat to the Empire. Allauddin and his general Malik Kafur successfully drove back the Mongols. He defeated them and imprisoned many of them.
C) South Indian compaign: Allauddin turned his attention towards south India. He sent an expedition under his eminent general, Malik Kafur to conquer the south. He coveted the enormous wealth of south India and its temples. The four main southern rulers were defeated.
1. Expedition to Devagiri (1306-1307 CE): Ramachandradeva, the ruler of Devagiri, had not paid tribute for nearly three years and he had given shelter to Kamadeva-II of Gujarat. For that reason, Malik Kafur raided Devagiri and defeated Ramachandradeva and collected a lot of booty.
2. Conquest of Warangal (1309 CE): The Delhi forces marched via Devagiri and attacked Telangana. Pratapa Rudradeva, the tuler of Warangal, put up a stiff resistance. However, he was defeated and he had to surrender a lot of wealth which was carried away to Delhi by Malik Kafur.
3. Expedition to Iloysalas in 1310 C.E: Malik Kafur attacked Dwarasamudra, when Veera Ballala-III was busy interfering in the Chola politics. Malik Kafur occupied Dwarasamudra and Ballaia – III was forced to plead for peace and he also accepted the sovereignty of Allauddin.
4. Conquests of Madhurai in 1311 C.E.: Acivil war was raging between Sundrapandya and Vecrapandya; when Malk Kafur attacked the capital of Pandyas (Madhurai) and plundered the city. The wealth looted in south India was transported to Delhi on a herd of elephants.
Administrative achievements of Allauddin:
1. Sultan ship: Allauddin followed an independent policy towards political matters. He set up a strong central administration. He did not permit the interference by religious leaders in administrative matters. He believed in the divine rights of Kingship (Shadow of God).
2. Espionage: He established an elaborate spy network, to get the information regarding all the activities of his nobles. He also tried to prevent the outbreak of rebellions within the Empire. He deprived his nobles of all pensions and endowments. He forbade social parties and secret meetings of the nobles, even in their houses.
3. Prohibition of drinking: He banned the sale and the use of intoxicating drinks and drugs at Delhi. He knew that, gambling dens and drinking bouts were the breeding grounds of sedition.
4. Military reforms: The Standing army: Allauddin maintained a large standing army for maintaining internal law and order and to prevent the invasions of the Mongols. Ariz-i- Mumali k was the incharge for the appointment of soldier’s. The state maintained a record of the Iluliya or register of each soldier and his mount in the royal service. He also introduced the branding of horses or Dagh system.
5. Revenue reforms: Allauddin introduced scientific methods of measurement of land for the assessment of land revenue. He appointed a special officer called ‘Mustakhraj’ to collect land revenue from the peasants. To check bribery and corruption among the revenue officials, their salaries were increased. Steps were taken to safeguard the peasants from the demands of corrupt revenue officials.
6. Market regulation : The most remarkable of all these was an attempt to control the market prices by determining the cost of most of the essential commodities. Prices of all the articles of common use were fixed. Separate officers were appointed to regulate the market prices on a daily basis amount of booty. Jalaluddin was unaware of the evil intentions of Allauddin. He went to receive Allauddin with only a few unarmed guards and was murdered by the supporters of Allauddin. Thus, Allauddin became the Sultan of Delhi in 1296C.E.
