Question

How do we know that jalaluddin kalji was a weak ruler?

Answer 1

Originally named Firuz, Jalal-ud-din started his career as an officer of the Mamluk dynasty, and rose to an important position under Sultan Muizzuddin Qaiqabad. After Qaiqabad was paralyzed, a group of nobles appointed his infant son Shamsuddin Kayumars as the new Sultan, and tried to kill Jalal-ud-din. Instead, Jalal-ud-din had them killed, and became the regent. A few months later, he deposed Kayumars, and became the new Sultan.

As a Sultan, he repulsed a Mongol invasion, and allowed many Mongols to settle in India after their conversion to Islam. He captured Mandawar and Jhain from the Chahamanaking Hammira, although he was unable to capture the Chahamana capital Ranthambore. During his reign, his nephew Ali Gurshasp raided Bhilsa in 1293 and Devagiri in 1296.

Jalal-ud-din, who was around 70 years old at the time of his ascension, was known as a mild-mannered, humble and kind monarch to the general public. During the first year of his reign, he ruled from Kilokhri to avoid confrontations with the old Turkic nobles of the imperial capital Delhi. Several nobles considered him as a weak ruler, and unsuccessfully attempted to overthrow him at different times. He meted out lenient punishments to the rebels, except in case of a dervish Sidi Maula, who was executed for allegedly conspiring to dethrone him. Jalal-ud-din was ultimately assassinated by his nephew Ali Gurshasp, who subsequently ascended the throne as Alauddin Khalji.

Answer 2

The slave or the Mamluk Dynasty was replaced by Khilji Dynasty as the ruling dynasty of India. The founder of Khilji Dynasty was Jalal ud din Firuz Khilji. He killed the last descendent of Slave Dynasty and declared himself the sultan of Delhi sultanate at the age of 70 years in 1290 AD. The Khilji clan traced their origin to Afghan village of Khalji. Jalal-ud-din Firuz Khilji’s original name was Malik Firuz. He was not cruel by nature. When Balban’s nephew Malik Chhajju imposed a war on Jalal-ud-din Firuz Khilji, the former was defeated and captured alive but was forgiven by the Sultan of Delhi.

Mangols attacked India during Jalaluddin Khilji’s times under Halaku but avoided an open war after some negotiations.

Mongols attacked once again under Ulugh Khan. He accepted Islam and was given sultan’s daughter in marriage. He settled near Delhi.

Jalal-ud-din Khilji pardoned criminals whether it was a conspirator or a traitor. This policy was not appreciated by his courtiers and nobles. They were actually exasperated by his kind behavior. As a result, Jalaluddin Khilji was killed by his nephew and son-in-law Alauddin Khilji who succeeded him as the new king of Khilji Dynasty