When Jalal-ud-din Khilji Became the Sultan of Delhi
Jalal-ud-din Firoz Shah Khilji (r: 1290-1296), was the founder of the Khilji dynasty, the second Turkish dynasty to rule Delhi. Although, often overshadowed by his more famous and ruthless nephew, Ala-ud-din Khilji, Jalal-ud-din's relatively short reign was an important period in the sultanate's history.
Jalal-ud-din was an old man of seventy when he ascended the throne at Sultan Qaiqabad's unfinished palace at Kilokhari, on June 13, 1290.
The nobility of Delhi had been under the rule of the Qutbi, Shamsi and Balbani dynasties (collectively known as the early Turkish dynasty) for eighty years and were reluctant to accept a Khilji chief as their sovereign.
Jalal-ud-din established Kilokhari as his capital, completing the construction of the palace and laying out beautiful gardens. He ordered princes, nobles, officers, and prominent individuals to build homes at Kilokhari. Traders from Delhi were brought in, markets were set up, and a fort was constructed, transforming Kilokhari into Shahr-i-nau (the new city).
His own kinsmen and supporters naturally received the key positions. Jalal-ud-din bestowed the title of Khan-i-Khanan upon his eldest son. His second son received the title of Arkali Khan, while the youngest son was named Qadr Khan, later known as Sultan Rukn-ud-din Ibrahim. Ali Gurshasp (Ala-ud-din) and Almas (Ulugh Khan), who were his brother's sons and sons-in-laws, were appointed as Amir-i-Tuzuk and Akhur-beg respectively. Jalal-ud-din's brother, Yaghrish Khan, was made Aariz-ul-Mumalik, while his nephew Ahmad Chap became the Naib Barbak. Malikul Umara Fakhr-ud-din was confirmed as the kotwal while Khwaja Khatir retained the wizarat.
As the people of Delhi witnessed Jalal-ud-din's virtuous nature and good temper, they gradually began to support his rule and paid homage to him.
Upon hearing of Jhaju's rebellion, Jalal-ud-din divided his forces into two, one was placed under Arkali Khan, while Jalal-ud-din himself led the remainder towards Budaun. He sent Arkali Khan to engage Jhaju. A fierce battle was fought between them along the banks of the Rahab River (modern Ramganga). When Jhaju learned that Jalal-ud-din was coming to join Arkali Khan, he fled under the cover of night.
As noted by Amir Khusro, "Jhaju's army, thus deserted by its leader, came over to the king and begged forgiveness. Some were bound as prisoners, and some kept under surveillance, but the rest were admitted into the favour of the king."
Jalal-ud-din's army then advanced to Kabar (modern Rohilkhand) and punished the zamindars who had supported Jhaju. Alp Ghazi, another follower of Jhaju, was executed. Jalal-ud-din assigned Multan to Arkali Khan and Kara to Ala-ud-din.
Eventually, Arkali Khan captured Jhaju and his associates, and brought them to his father at Kabar. When these rebels were presented before Jalal-ud-din on camels with yokes on their shoulders, he ordered their immediate release. Tents, clothing, perfume and a grand feast were presented to the rebels who had served in previous reigns, and the Sultan even shared wine with them.
After giving them some words of advice, Jalal-ud-din forgave the rebels. Jhaju was sent to Multan, to lead a comfortable life under the watch of Arkali Khan.
On his journey back to Delhi through Lakhnauti, Jalal-ud-din cleared the jungle of Terai and "cleared the road of the robbers who infested it, and suspended them from boughs, so that they looked like the trees of Wakwak," wrote Amir Khusro.
Alghu, a descendant of Genghis Khan, with many other chiefs, converted to Islam and joined the Sultan's service. They were provided with provisions and homes in Ghiyaspur (modern Nizam-ud-Din). These Mongols came to be known as 'New Muslims', and the locality they settled in became famous as Mughalpur. The Sultan also gave his daughter in marriage to Alghu.
Upon Jalal-ud-din's return to Delhi after suppressing Jhaju's rebellion, the nobles spoke of him with disparagement, saying that he was unfit to rule and lacked the awe and majesty befitting a king. Some nobles were so dissatisfied with Jalal-ud-din's clemency towards rebels that they even discussed deposing him during drinking parties.
One such plot took place during Jalal-ud-din's campaign in Mandawar in 1292. That night, the fatigued army chiefs Mughlati, Harnumar Sarjandar and a few others gathered in Taj-ud-din Kuchi's camp for a drinking session and conspired against the Sultan. Taj-ud-din's brother, Fakhr-ud-din Kuchi, informed Jalal-ud-din of the plot. The next day, Jalal-ud-din summoned the conspirators and questioned them, "What wrong have I done to you that you had rebelled in this way?" He urged them to behave better in the future and dismissed them with pardon. Mandawar was successfully conquered.
Jalal-ud-din believed that sparing lives of the captured rebels would shame them before God and people, and prevent them from posing a threat to him in the future. His leniency was particularly evident towards the maliks and amirs who had served under Balban and Qaiqabad. The rebels who were set free never caused any trouble for him again. The only occasion Jalal-ud-din deviated from his policy of leniency was when he ordered the execution of Sidi Maula, a dervish.
Miftah-ul-Futuh (Key to the Victories) is a historical masnavi written by Amir Khusro, that details the military campaigns of Jalal-ud-din Firoz Shah Khilji. Jalal-ud-din entrusted Khusro with the role of Mushafdar (custodian of the royal library) and elevated his status to that of an 'Amir'.
Malik Jhaju was the nephew of Balban.
Jalal-ud-din was an old man of seventy when he ascended the throne at Sultan Qaiqabad's unfinished palace at Kilokhari, on June 13, 1290.
The nobility of Delhi had been under the rule of the Qutbi, Shamsi and Balbani dynasties (collectively known as the early Turkish dynasty) for eighty years and were reluctant to accept a Khilji chief as their sovereign.
Jalal-ud-din established Kilokhari as his capital, completing the construction of the palace and laying out beautiful gardens. He ordered princes, nobles, officers, and prominent individuals to build homes at Kilokhari. Traders from Delhi were brought in, markets were set up, and a fort was constructed, transforming Kilokhari into Shahr-i-nau (the new city).
His own kinsmen and supporters naturally received the key positions. Jalal-ud-din bestowed the title of Khan-i-Khanan upon his eldest son. His second son received the title of Arkali Khan, while the youngest son was named Qadr Khan, later known as Sultan Rukn-ud-din Ibrahim. Ali Gurshasp (Ala-ud-din) and Almas (Ulugh Khan), who were his brother's sons and sons-in-laws, were appointed as Amir-i-Tuzuk and Akhur-beg respectively. Jalal-ud-din's brother, Yaghrish Khan, was made Aariz-ul-Mumalik, while his nephew Ahmad Chap became the Naib Barbak. Malikul Umara Fakhr-ud-din was confirmed as the kotwal while Khwaja Khatir retained the wizarat.
As the people of Delhi witnessed Jalal-ud-din's virtuous nature and good temper, they gradually began to support his rule and paid homage to him.
Rebellion of Malik Jhaju (Also spelt Chhaju or Chajju)
During his regency, Jalal-ud-din had appointed Malik Jhaju, the surviving heir of the Balbani line, as the governor of Kara and Manikpur. However, soon after Jalal-ud-din assumed power, Jhaju raised a rebellion with the support of many Balbani nobles and Hindu zamindars of the Gangetic valley. With a large army, Jhaju marched towards Delhi.Upon hearing of Jhaju's rebellion, Jalal-ud-din divided his forces into two, one was placed under Arkali Khan, while Jalal-ud-din himself led the remainder towards Budaun. He sent Arkali Khan to engage Jhaju. A fierce battle was fought between them along the banks of the Rahab River (modern Ramganga). When Jhaju learned that Jalal-ud-din was coming to join Arkali Khan, he fled under the cover of night.
As noted by Amir Khusro, "Jhaju's army, thus deserted by its leader, came over to the king and begged forgiveness. Some were bound as prisoners, and some kept under surveillance, but the rest were admitted into the favour of the king."
Jalal-ud-din's army then advanced to Kabar (modern Rohilkhand) and punished the zamindars who had supported Jhaju. Alp Ghazi, another follower of Jhaju, was executed. Jalal-ud-din assigned Multan to Arkali Khan and Kara to Ala-ud-din.
Eventually, Arkali Khan captured Jhaju and his associates, and brought them to his father at Kabar. When these rebels were presented before Jalal-ud-din on camels with yokes on their shoulders, he ordered their immediate release. Tents, clothing, perfume and a grand feast were presented to the rebels who had served in previous reigns, and the Sultan even shared wine with them.
After giving them some words of advice, Jalal-ud-din forgave the rebels. Jhaju was sent to Multan, to lead a comfortable life under the watch of Arkali Khan.
On his journey back to Delhi through Lakhnauti, Jalal-ud-din cleared the jungle of Terai and "cleared the road of the robbers who infested it, and suspended them from boughs, so that they looked like the trees of Wakwak," wrote Amir Khusro.
Capture of Jhain
In the beginning of 1291, Jalal-ud-din led his army to Ranthambore, a strong Rajput stronghold. After defeating the Rajputs, he captured Jhain, the gateway to the Chauhan capital. The Delhi army looted temples, and carried away much booty. Rana Hammiradeva Chauhan sought refuge in the fort of Ranthambore with his family and followers. Jalal-ud-din's army besieged the fort, but he eventually became disheartened after a long siege and gave up the campaign.Mongol Invasion
In 1292, Abdulla, a descendant of Hulegu Khan, invaded Punjab, reaching as far as Sanam. Jalal-ud-din gathered his forces and marched from Delhi to confront him. The battle was fierce, resulting in heavy losses on both sides. Finally, a peace agreement was reached. They addressed each other as son and father respectively. Abdulla then retreated with his army.Alghu, a descendant of Genghis Khan, with many other chiefs, converted to Islam and joined the Sultan's service. They were provided with provisions and homes in Ghiyaspur (modern Nizam-ud-Din). These Mongols came to be known as 'New Muslims', and the locality they settled in became famous as Mughalpur. The Sultan also gave his daughter in marriage to Alghu.
Upon Jalal-ud-din's return to Delhi after suppressing Jhaju's rebellion, the nobles spoke of him with disparagement, saying that he was unfit to rule and lacked the awe and majesty befitting a king. Some nobles were so dissatisfied with Jalal-ud-din's clemency towards rebels that they even discussed deposing him during drinking parties.
One such plot took place during Jalal-ud-din's campaign in Mandawar in 1292. That night, the fatigued army chiefs Mughlati, Harnumar Sarjandar and a few others gathered in Taj-ud-din Kuchi's camp for a drinking session and conspired against the Sultan. Taj-ud-din's brother, Fakhr-ud-din Kuchi, informed Jalal-ud-din of the plot. The next day, Jalal-ud-din summoned the conspirators and questioned them, "What wrong have I done to you that you had rebelled in this way?" He urged them to behave better in the future and dismissed them with pardon. Mandawar was successfully conquered.
Jalal-ud-din believed that sparing lives of the captured rebels would shame them before God and people, and prevent them from posing a threat to him in the future. His leniency was particularly evident towards the maliks and amirs who had served under Balban and Qaiqabad. The rebels who were set free never caused any trouble for him again. The only occasion Jalal-ud-din deviated from his policy of leniency was when he ordered the execution of Sidi Maula, a dervish.
Miftah-ul-Futuh (Key to the Victories) is a historical masnavi written by Amir Khusro, that details the military campaigns of Jalal-ud-din Firoz Shah Khilji. Jalal-ud-din entrusted Khusro with the role of Mushafdar (custodian of the royal library) and elevated his status to that of an 'Amir'.
Notes
Khan-i-Khanan passed away in Jalal-ud-din's lifetime.Malik Jhaju was the nephew of Balban.
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