Khalji Dynasty Notes with PDF
These notes are your ultimate revision weapon to revise the Khalji Dynasty. We’ve distilled years of previous exam questions (PYQs) into one powerful, concise resource. Everything you need to know, nothing you don’t.
- PYQs, Decoded: All key concepts from past exams, organized and simplified.
- Revise in Record Time: Short, precise, and designed for last-minute review.
- Focus on What Matters: Master high-probability topics and boost your confidence.
- Free PDF to download.
You'll Read
The Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 AD)
Dynasties and their Duration
The five dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate were:
- Slave Dynasty (1206 – 1290)
- Khalji Dynasty (1290 – 1320) – Ruled for the shortest period.
- Tughluq Dynasty (1320 – 1412)
- Sayyid Dynasty (1414 – 1450)
- Lodi Dynasty (1451 – 1526)
Alauddin Khalji (c. 1296-1316 AD)
Political Ambitions & Ideology
- Declared himself fully independent from the rules of the Shariat (Islamic law).
- Considered himself the representative of God and did not require the permission of the Khalifa.
- Took the title “Yamin-ul-Khilafat Nasiri Amir-ul-Muminin”.
- No longer obeyed the Ulemas (Islamic scholars).
- Wanted to conquer the world like Alexander the Great.
- Coins were inscribed with the title “Sikandar-i-Sani” (Second Alexander).
- Abandoned his plan for a new religion on the advice of his Kotwal, Alla-ul-Mulk.
Military Campaigns & Conquests
- Devagiri (1307 AD): Invaded because its ruler, Ramachandra Dev, failed to pay annual tribute. Defeated and captured him but later treated him well, granting him the title ‘Rai Rayan’ and returning him to his kingdom.
- Warangal (1303 AD): His army, led by Fakhruddin Juna and Malik Chhaju, was defeated by the Kakatiya ruler Prataprudra Dev.
- Chittor: His conquest is associated with the legendary queen Padmini, wife of Rana Ratan Singh of Chittor.
- Deccan Expeditions: Primarily motivated by financial gain and plunder, not by a desire to annex the territories permanently.
- Mongol Defense: After a successful campaign in 1306 AD, the Ravi River became the boundary between the Delhi Sultanate and the Mongol Empire.
Administration & Economic Reforms
Land Revenue System:
- First Sultan to impose a land revenue tax of 50% of the produce.
- Introduced a system based on the actual measurement of cultivated land (the Lagaan system).
- This system was initially enforced only in Delhi and its surrounding areas, not across the entire empire.
- Was the first ruler of the Delhi Sultanate to implement this land measurement system for revenue.
- Established a new department called “Diwan-i-Mustakhraj” for the implementation of revenue collection.
- Developed Khalisa land (land directly under crown control) on a large scale by confiscating lands granted as gifts, pensions, and charities.
- Abolished the traditional privileges and tax-collecting rights of local chiefs and officers (Khuts, Muqaddams, and Chaudharis) and started taxing them.
- Introduced two new taxes:
- Ghari (a tax on houses and huts).
- Charai: A grazing tax on milch animals.
Market Reforms & Price Control:
- Introduced a strict Price Control System and Market Reforms.
- Primary Reason: To maintain a large, permanent army at a low cost to defend against Mongol invasions and internal Hindu rebellions.
- The reforms were highly successful.
- Established a Public Distribution System (a first in the Sultanate period).
- Created separate markets for different commodities in Delhi (grain, clothes/groceries, horses/slaves/cattle).
- Appointed a superintendent (Shahna-i-Mandi) with extensive powers to oversee each market.
- Used intelligence officers and spies (barids and munhiyan) to monitor merchants and report on market conditions.
- Clarification: The goal was not to pay lower wages to artisans building palaces.
Key Officials & Commanders
- Zafar Khan: A brave and skilled army commander who died fighting against the Mongols.
- Malik Kafur: A prominent general who led the successful second expedition against Devagiri (1307 AD) and later against Shankar Dev (1312 AD).
- Alla-ul-Mulk: The Kotwal of Delhi and a trusted advisor who convinced Khalji to abandon his plan for a new religion.
Muhammad bin Tughluq (c. 1325-1351 AD)
Economic Policies
- Also raised the land revenue to 50% of the produce.
- His revenue demand was based on estimates rather than on the measurement of land.
Literature & Culture
Padmavat
- The story of Padmini and Alauddin Khalji’s siege of Chittor was famously detailed in the epic poem ‘Padmavat’, written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi in 1540 AD.
Factual Clarifications (Comparative)
- Mubarak Khalji (Alauddin’s son and successor) declared himself the Khalifa (Caliph), adopting the title Al-Iman, Khilafat-Ul-Leh. He was the only Sultan to do so.
- Alauddin Khalji was the first Delhi Sultan to pay his soldiers in cash.
The Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 AD)
Sub-Topic: Dynasties and their Duration
The five dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate were:
- Slave Dynasty (1206 – 1290)
- Khalji Dynasty (1290 – 1320) – Ruled for the shortest period.
- Tughluq Dynasty (1320 – 1412)
- Sayyid Dynasty (1414 – 1450)
- Lodi Dynasty (1451 – 1526)
Alauddin Khalji (c. 1296-1316 AD)
Political Ambitions & Ideology
- Declared himself fully independent from the rules of the Shariat (Islamic law).
- Considered himself the representative of God and did not require the permission of the Khalifa.
- Took the title “Yamin-ul-Khilafat Nasiri Amir-ul-Muminin”.
- No longer obeyed the Ulemas (Islamic scholars).
- Wanted to conquer the world like Alexander the Great.
- Coins were inscribed with the title “Sikandar-i-Sani” (Second Alexander).
- Abandoned his plan for a new religion on the advice of his Kotwal, Alla-ul-Mulk.
Military Campaigns & Conquests
- Devagiri (1307 AD): Invaded because its ruler, Ramachandra Dev, failed to pay annual tribute. Defeated and captured him but later treated him well, granting him the title ‘Rai Rayan’ and returning him to his kingdom.
- Warangal (1303 AD): His army, led by Fakhruddin Juna and Malik Chhaju, was defeated by the Kakatiya ruler Prataprudra Dev.
- Chittor: His conquest is associated with the legendary queen Padmini, wife of Rana Ratan Singh of Chittor.
- Deccan Expeditions: Primarily motivated by financial gain and plunder, not by a desire to annex the territories permanently.
- Mongol Defense: After a successful campaign in 1306 AD, the Ravi River became the boundary between the Delhi Sultanate and the Mongol Empire.
Administration & Economic Reforms
Land Revenue System:
- First Sultan to impose a land revenue tax of 50% of the produce.
- Introduced a system based on the actual measurement of cultivated land (the Lagaan system).
- This system was initially enforced only in Delhi and its surrounding areas, not across the entire empire.
- Was the first ruler of the Delhi Sultanate to implement this land measurement system for revenue.
- Established a new department called “Diwan-i-Mustakhraj” for the implementation of revenue collection.
- Developed Khalisa land (land directly under crown control) on a large scale by confiscating lands granted as gifts, pensions, and charities.
- Abolished the traditional privileges and tax-collecting rights of local chiefs and officers (Khuts, Muqaddams, and Chaudharis) and started taxing them.
- Introduced two new taxes:
- Ghari (a tax on houses and huts).
- Charai: A grazing tax on milch animals.
Market Reforms & Price Control:
- Introduced a strict Price Control System and Market Reforms.
- Primary Reason: To maintain a large, permanent army at a low cost to defend against Mongol invasions and internal Hindu rebellions.
- The reforms were highly successful.
- Established a Public Distribution System (a first in the Sultanate period).
- Created separate markets for different commodities in Delhi (grain, clothes/groceries, horses/slaves/cattle).
- Appointed a superintendent (Shahna-i-Mandi) with extensive powers to oversee each market.
- Used intelligence officers and spies (barids and munhiyan) to monitor merchants and report on market conditions.
- Clarification: The goal was not to pay lower wages to artisans building palaces.
Key Officials & Commanders
- Zafar Khan: A brave and skilled army commander who died fighting against the Mongols.
- Malik Kafur: A prominent general who led the successful second expedition against Devagiri (1307 AD) and later against Shankar Dev (1312 AD).
- Alla-ul-Mulk: The Kotwal of Delhi and a trusted advisor who convinced Khalji to abandon his plan for a new religion.
Muhammad bin Tughluq (c. 1325-1351 AD)
Economic Policies
- Also raised the land revenue to 50% of the produce.
- His revenue demand was based on estimates rather than on the measurement of land.
Literature & Culture
Padmavat
- The story of Padmini and Alauddin Khalji’s siege of Chittor was famously detailed in the epic poem ‘Padmavat’, written by Malik Muhammad Jayasi in 1540 AD.
Factual Clarifications (Comparative)
- Mubarak Khalji (Alauddin’s son and successor) declared himself the Khalifa (Caliph), adopting the title Al-Iman, Khilafat-Ul-Leh. He was the only Sultan to do so.
- Alauddin Khalji was the first Delhi Sultan to pay his soldiers in cash.
Know More About Khalji Dynasty: