The Story of a Treachery: Murder of Jalal-ud-din Firoz Khilji
Sultan Jalal-ud-din Firoz Khilji (r: 1290-1296) had two nephews, Ali Gurshasp (later Ala-ud-din), and Almas (later Ulugh Khan), who both married his daughters. After deposing Malik Jhaju, Jalal-ud-din appointed Ali as the governor of Kara.
In 1293, Ali plundered Bhilsa (modern Vidisha) and presented much booty to his uncle, Jalal-ud-din. Ali was then made the Aariz-ul-Mumalik and Oudh was added to his possessions.
Ala-ud-din had a strained relationship with his mother-in-law, Malika-i-Jahan (the queen of Jalal-ud-din Khilji), and also with his wife, the daughter of Jalal-ud-din. His wife always spoke negatively about him to her father. Ala-ud-din could not share his grievances with the Sultan due to Malika-i-Jahan's influence.
Ala-ud-din desired to leave his uncle's dominions and establish himself as an independent ruler in a distant land. He started gathering supporters. He released Jhaju's erstwhile supporters and enlisted them in his service. All that was needed now was money.
While at Bhilsa, Ala-ud-din learned about the riches of Devagiri, the capital of the wealthy Yadava kingdom in the Deccan, and secretly planned its conquest. He raised an army with revenues from Kara and Oudh, which had been temporarily granted to him by the Sultan. He deceived Jalal-ud-din by claiming he was going to conquer Chanderi, and promised to return with abundant spoils.
With his army, Ala-ud-din marched to Devagiri in the winter of 1295, leaving Malik Ala-ul-Mulk, the uncle of historian Ziauddin Barani, as deputy of Kara and Oudh. After defeating Ramachandra, the Raja of Devagiri, Ala-ud-din seized immense treasure and numerous elephants.
Jalal-ud-din was stationed at Gwalior when rumors reached him that Ala-ud-din, after plundering Devagiri, was returning to Kara with vast treasures - gold, jewels, elephants, and horses. Although aggrieved by his nephew's secret expedition, Jalal-ud-din was pleased by the news, hoping Ala-ud-din would bring the treasures to him.
Jalal-ud-din sought advice from his council on how to deal with Ala-ud-din. Malik Ahmad Habib Barbak, Jalal-ud-din's nephew (sister's son), proposed marching towards Chanderi and encamp along Ala-ud-din's route to Kara. This strategic move would force Ala-ud-din to abandon any rebellious plans and submit his spoils to the throne. Malik Ahmad also warned that if Ala-ud-din managed to evade them, he may head to Lakhnauti via Oudh, where his treasure could fund an army too powerful for them to oppose.
Jalal-ud-din, however, expressed his unwavering trust in Ala-ud-din's loyalty, stating that he had nurtured Ala-ud-din like his own son. He said he would sooner suspect his own child of treachery than Ala-ud-din. Jalal-ud-din then returned to Delhi.
In mid-1296, Ala-ud-din returned to Kara and sent a cunning letter to Jalal-ud-din, expressing his desire to present all his wealth to the Sultan. But Ala-ud-din feared that his enemies at court might turn the Sultan against him, given his prolonged absence and unauthorized Devagiri expedition. To ensure the safety of himself and his followers, Ala-ud-din requested a royal decree before they reached the capital.
Ala-ud-din's true intention was to conquer Lakhnauti, a region that had recently declared independence and was now ruled by Bughra Khan's son, Sultan Ruknuddin Kaikaus.
Jalal-ud-din, showing forgiveness, wrote a heartfelt letter assuring Ala-ud-din and his companions of their safety. The letter was entrusted to two courtiers, Imad-ul-Mulk and Zia-ud-din, to deliver to Kara.
Ala-ud-din's younger brother Ulugh Khan, who held the title of Akhur-beg, safeguarded his brother's interests at the Delhi court. Ulugh Khan presented the Sultan with letters from Ala-ud-din expressing his fears and anxieties. Ulugh Khan used various deceptive tactics to convince the Sultan that unless Jalal-ud-din went alone to meet Ala-ud-din, he would resort to drastic measures like taking poison or seeking a place of security. Jalal-ud-din directed Ulugh Khan to hasten to Kara and comfort Ala-ud-din, and promised to follow him soon.
Upon Ulugh Khan's arrival at Kara, Ala-ud-din decided to proceed with his expedition to Lakhnauti. However, Ala-ud-din's cunning advisors suggested an alternative plan, "What's the need to go to Lakhnauti when the Sultan by his excessive greed for the wealth and elephants of Devagiri will come here in the midst of the rainy season?"
It was the month of July 1296. Ignoring the advice of his well-wishers, Jalal-ud-din set out for Kara with a small group of followers and a thousand soldiers. He also sent Malik Ahmad to Kara with the main army by land.
Upon hearing of Jalal-ud-din's departure from Delhi, Ala-ud-din crossed the Ganges and positioned his army between Kara and Manikpur. As the royal procession came into view, Ala-ud-din deputed Ulugh Khan in a small boat to welcome the Sultan and persuade him to come alone, leaving his thousand men behind.
Jalal-ud-din asked why Ala-ud-din himself was not coming. Ulugh Khan, noticing several boats full of soldiers around the Sultan, explained that if Ala-ud-din saw him with armed men, he might become alarmed and try to escape again. He advised the Sultan to show kindness and reassurance by coming alone, taking Ala-ud-din's hand, and leading him to Delhi.
Jalal-ud-din ordered his soldiers to halt there and, with only two boats and a few personal attendants, passed over to the other side. As they sailed, Ulugh Khan desired the Sultan to direct his attendants to lay aside their arms to avoid alarming Ala-ud-din further. He explained, "If my brother sees even a handful of armed men, he will become even more frightened and lose hope of the Sultan's mercy."
When the boats reached mid-stream, Ala-ud-din was visible on the bank with a well-equipped army. The Sultan's attendants became suspicious of Ala-ud-din's intentions. Malik Khurram, the Vakildar, expressed concern to Ulugh Khan about the army's readiness for action. Ulugh Khan explained that Ala-ud-din wanted his army to pay homage to the Sultan.
The Sultan said to Ulugh Khan, "In spite of my old age, and the weakness due to fasting, I have come so far to meet your brother, even yet will not your cruel brother's heart induce him to get into a boat and come to me?" Ulugh Khan reassured the Sultan that his brother was waiting on the shore with elephants, treasure, and jewels, along with every arrangement to break the Sultan's fast and honor his arrival.
When Jalal-ud-din reached the shore, Ala-ud-din approached him and prostrated at his feet. Jalal-ud-din embraced him like a son, kissing his eyes and cheeks, stroking his beard, and giving him two affectionate taps on the cheek, "Why are you afraid of me, who have brought you up from your childhood and cherished with a fatherly affection. You have been always dearer to me than my sons." Jalal-ud-din then took Ala-ud-din's hand and led him towards the boat.
At that moment, Ala-ud-din signaled to his men, Mahmud Salim and Ikhtiyar-ud-din, who had conspired to assassinate the Sultan. Mahmud Salim rushed forward and stabbed Jalal-ud-din with his sword. The Sultan ran towards the boat, crying, "Ah you villain, Ali!" Ikhtiyar-ud-din ran after him, threw him down, cut off his head, and took it to Ala-ud-din.
The head of Jalal-ud-din was placed on a spear and paraded through Kara-Manikpur and Oudh. The Sultan's attendants on the boat were all killed. Some of them threw themselves into the river and were drowned.
Historians have recorded the tragic fates of Jalal-ud-din's assassins. Muhammad Salim succumbed to leprosy about a year later. Ikhtiyar-ud-din went mad, constantly shouting that Sultan Jalal-ud-din was cutting off his head. Ulugh Khan met his death after three or four years. Despite Ala-ud-din Khilji's prosperous reign, fate eventually placed a betrayer (Malik Kafur), to destroy his family.
The reign of Sultan Jalal-ud-din Firoz Khilji lasted six years. He had three sons: Khan-i-Khanan (deceased), Arkali Khan and Qadr Khan. The Mongol Alghu was also one of his son-in-law.
In 1293, Ali plundered Bhilsa (modern Vidisha) and presented much booty to his uncle, Jalal-ud-din. Ali was then made the Aariz-ul-Mumalik and Oudh was added to his possessions.
Ala-ud-din had a strained relationship with his mother-in-law, Malika-i-Jahan (the queen of Jalal-ud-din Khilji), and also with his wife, the daughter of Jalal-ud-din. His wife always spoke negatively about him to her father. Ala-ud-din could not share his grievances with the Sultan due to Malika-i-Jahan's influence.
Ala-ud-din desired to leave his uncle's dominions and establish himself as an independent ruler in a distant land. He started gathering supporters. He released Jhaju's erstwhile supporters and enlisted them in his service. All that was needed now was money.
While at Bhilsa, Ala-ud-din learned about the riches of Devagiri, the capital of the wealthy Yadava kingdom in the Deccan, and secretly planned its conquest. He raised an army with revenues from Kara and Oudh, which had been temporarily granted to him by the Sultan. He deceived Jalal-ud-din by claiming he was going to conquer Chanderi, and promised to return with abundant spoils.
With his army, Ala-ud-din marched to Devagiri in the winter of 1295, leaving Malik Ala-ul-Mulk, the uncle of historian Ziauddin Barani, as deputy of Kara and Oudh. After defeating Ramachandra, the Raja of Devagiri, Ala-ud-din seized immense treasure and numerous elephants.
Jalal-ud-din was stationed at Gwalior when rumors reached him that Ala-ud-din, after plundering Devagiri, was returning to Kara with vast treasures - gold, jewels, elephants, and horses. Although aggrieved by his nephew's secret expedition, Jalal-ud-din was pleased by the news, hoping Ala-ud-din would bring the treasures to him.
Jalal-ud-din sought advice from his council on how to deal with Ala-ud-din. Malik Ahmad Habib Barbak, Jalal-ud-din's nephew (sister's son), proposed marching towards Chanderi and encamp along Ala-ud-din's route to Kara. This strategic move would force Ala-ud-din to abandon any rebellious plans and submit his spoils to the throne. Malik Ahmad also warned that if Ala-ud-din managed to evade them, he may head to Lakhnauti via Oudh, where his treasure could fund an army too powerful for them to oppose.
Jalal-ud-din, however, expressed his unwavering trust in Ala-ud-din's loyalty, stating that he had nurtured Ala-ud-din like his own son. He said he would sooner suspect his own child of treachery than Ala-ud-din. Jalal-ud-din then returned to Delhi.
In mid-1296, Ala-ud-din returned to Kara and sent a cunning letter to Jalal-ud-din, expressing his desire to present all his wealth to the Sultan. But Ala-ud-din feared that his enemies at court might turn the Sultan against him, given his prolonged absence and unauthorized Devagiri expedition. To ensure the safety of himself and his followers, Ala-ud-din requested a royal decree before they reached the capital.
Ala-ud-din's true intention was to conquer Lakhnauti, a region that had recently declared independence and was now ruled by Bughra Khan's son, Sultan Ruknuddin Kaikaus.
Jalal-ud-din, showing forgiveness, wrote a heartfelt letter assuring Ala-ud-din and his companions of their safety. The letter was entrusted to two courtiers, Imad-ul-Mulk and Zia-ud-din, to deliver to Kara.
Ala-ud-din's younger brother Ulugh Khan, who held the title of Akhur-beg, safeguarded his brother's interests at the Delhi court. Ulugh Khan presented the Sultan with letters from Ala-ud-din expressing his fears and anxieties. Ulugh Khan used various deceptive tactics to convince the Sultan that unless Jalal-ud-din went alone to meet Ala-ud-din, he would resort to drastic measures like taking poison or seeking a place of security. Jalal-ud-din directed Ulugh Khan to hasten to Kara and comfort Ala-ud-din, and promised to follow him soon.
Upon Ulugh Khan's arrival at Kara, Ala-ud-din decided to proceed with his expedition to Lakhnauti. However, Ala-ud-din's cunning advisors suggested an alternative plan, "What's the need to go to Lakhnauti when the Sultan by his excessive greed for the wealth and elephants of Devagiri will come here in the midst of the rainy season?"
It was the month of July 1296. Ignoring the advice of his well-wishers, Jalal-ud-din set out for Kara with a small group of followers and a thousand soldiers. He also sent Malik Ahmad to Kara with the main army by land.
Upon hearing of Jalal-ud-din's departure from Delhi, Ala-ud-din crossed the Ganges and positioned his army between Kara and Manikpur. As the royal procession came into view, Ala-ud-din deputed Ulugh Khan in a small boat to welcome the Sultan and persuade him to come alone, leaving his thousand men behind.
Jalal-ud-din asked why Ala-ud-din himself was not coming. Ulugh Khan, noticing several boats full of soldiers around the Sultan, explained that if Ala-ud-din saw him with armed men, he might become alarmed and try to escape again. He advised the Sultan to show kindness and reassurance by coming alone, taking Ala-ud-din's hand, and leading him to Delhi.
Jalal-ud-din ordered his soldiers to halt there and, with only two boats and a few personal attendants, passed over to the other side. As they sailed, Ulugh Khan desired the Sultan to direct his attendants to lay aside their arms to avoid alarming Ala-ud-din further. He explained, "If my brother sees even a handful of armed men, he will become even more frightened and lose hope of the Sultan's mercy."
When the boats reached mid-stream, Ala-ud-din was visible on the bank with a well-equipped army. The Sultan's attendants became suspicious of Ala-ud-din's intentions. Malik Khurram, the Vakildar, expressed concern to Ulugh Khan about the army's readiness for action. Ulugh Khan explained that Ala-ud-din wanted his army to pay homage to the Sultan.
The Sultan said to Ulugh Khan, "In spite of my old age, and the weakness due to fasting, I have come so far to meet your brother, even yet will not your cruel brother's heart induce him to get into a boat and come to me?" Ulugh Khan reassured the Sultan that his brother was waiting on the shore with elephants, treasure, and jewels, along with every arrangement to break the Sultan's fast and honor his arrival.
When Jalal-ud-din reached the shore, Ala-ud-din approached him and prostrated at his feet. Jalal-ud-din embraced him like a son, kissing his eyes and cheeks, stroking his beard, and giving him two affectionate taps on the cheek, "Why are you afraid of me, who have brought you up from your childhood and cherished with a fatherly affection. You have been always dearer to me than my sons." Jalal-ud-din then took Ala-ud-din's hand and led him towards the boat.
At that moment, Ala-ud-din signaled to his men, Mahmud Salim and Ikhtiyar-ud-din, who had conspired to assassinate the Sultan. Mahmud Salim rushed forward and stabbed Jalal-ud-din with his sword. The Sultan ran towards the boat, crying, "Ah you villain, Ali!" Ikhtiyar-ud-din ran after him, threw him down, cut off his head, and took it to Ala-ud-din.
The head of Jalal-ud-din was placed on a spear and paraded through Kara-Manikpur and Oudh. The Sultan's attendants on the boat were all killed. Some of them threw themselves into the river and were drowned.
Historians have recorded the tragic fates of Jalal-ud-din's assassins. Muhammad Salim succumbed to leprosy about a year later. Ikhtiyar-ud-din went mad, constantly shouting that Sultan Jalal-ud-din was cutting off his head. Ulugh Khan met his death after three or four years. Despite Ala-ud-din Khilji's prosperous reign, fate eventually placed a betrayer (Malik Kafur), to destroy his family.
The reign of Sultan Jalal-ud-din Firoz Khilji lasted six years. He had three sons: Khan-i-Khanan (deceased), Arkali Khan and Qadr Khan. The Mongol Alghu was also one of his son-in-law.
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