According to Nayanchandra Suri’s Hammir Mahakavya, one reason for attack upon Ranthambore was that its ruler Hammir had given protection to Alauddin Khilji’s rebel commander Mir Muhammad. Muslim historian Isami has also confirmed this reason in his description. He has written that in 1299 CE, Alauddin Khilji had sent his two commanders Ulugh Khan and Nusrat Khan to invade Gujarat.
After conquering Gujarat when the army was returning then, on the issue of division of booty, the Nav Muslims (Mongols who had settled in India during the reign of Jalaluddin Firoz Khilzi and had accepted Islam as their religion) revolted near Jalore. Although the rebels were barbarically suppressed yet out of them, Muhammad Shah and his brother Kamru were successful in running away from there and reaching Ranthambore ruler Hammir.
Hammir not only provided them protection but he also conferred the Jagir of‘Jagana’ upon Muhammad Shah. According to Chandrashekhar’s composition ‘Hammir Hath’, Muhammad Shah had fallen in love with a Maratha wife of Alauddin Khilji and they both became united and framed a conspiracy to eliminate Alauddin Khilji.
As Alauddin Khilji got information about this conspiracy in due time, efforts were made to imprison Mir Muhammad Shah, but he fled away and reached Hammir’s haven. From Alauddin Khilji’s side, a demand was made to hand over these rebels. When Hammir rejected this demand, the army of Alauddin Khilji attacked Ranthambore.
