The Khiljis were probably of Turkish origin, but had become Afghan in character. The replacement of Ilbari dynasty by Khilji dynasty is termed as Khilji Revolution because it marked the end of power by the Turkish nobility and racial dictatorship.
JALAL-UD-DIN KHILJI (1290-96 AD)
Jalal-ud-din was the founder and first king of the Khilji dynasty. He was the first ruler of the Delhi Sultanate and clearly put forward the view that the state should be based on the willing support of the governed. As majority of people of India were Hindus, it could not be purely Islamic state. He followed mild and generous policies. In 1294 AD, Ala-ud-din Khilji, a nephew of Jalal-ud-din, invaded Ramachandra Dev, the ruler of Devagiri in South.
Ramachandra Dev was defeated and Ala-ud-din returned with an immense booty. Jalal-ud-din himself advanced to Kara to give warm welcome to his nephew, who murdered Jalal-ud-din and assumed himself suitable for the throne in 1296 AD.
ALA-UD-DIN KHILJI (1296-1316 AD)
Ala-ud-din Khilji ascended the throne after getting his uncle Jalal-ud-din murdered. He was the first Sultan of Delhi, who separated religion from politics. In Deccan, Ala-ud-din’s army, led by Malik Kafur, defeated Yadavas of Devagiri, Kakatiyas of Warangal, Hoysalas of Dwarasamudram and Pandyas of Madurai.
He caused himself to be called the Second Alexander (Sikander-i- Saini) in the Khutba and on his coins. He ordered that the wives and children of all the mutineers should be kept into prison.
This was the beginning of the practice of seizing women and children for the faults of men. He captured Chittor, which was renamed Khizrabad, after the name of his son Khizr Khan.
MILITARY REFORMS
Ala-ud-din introduced the First Permanent Standing Army of medieval India. He abolished Iqtas of royal troopers and started payment of their salaries in cash. He introduced the Dagh (branding of horses) and Chehra (description of the soldier).
ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS
In order to avoid problems created by the nobles, Ala-ud-din issued four important ordinances
- The first ordinance was aimed at the confiscation of religious endowments and free grants of lands.
- By the second ordinance, he reorganised the Spy system. An army of informers (spies were known as Barid and Munhiyan) was created and their duty was to spy on all what happened in empire and to submit reports to the Sultan.
- The third ordinance prohibited the use of wine and drugs.
- The fourth ordinance issued by Ala-ud-din, laid down that nobles should not have social gatherings and they should not inter marry without permission. He also discarded Ulema in the political affairs of the Sultanate.