Invasion of Timur

Timur attacked India in 1398 with the objective of loot and plunder as well as leading a campaign against the infidels. A decisive battle was fought on 17 December 1398 between the armies of Sultan Nasir ud-Din Mahmud and Timur’s armies.

Sultan’s armies were defeated and Timur marced on to Meerut. He attacked Haridwar city in 1399 and plundered it. He stayed in Delhi for fifteen days and looted immense wealth. He returned his capital Amu Darya in 1399 with lot of looted wealth from India. Before he left, he appointed Khizr Khan as governor of Lahore, Multan and Dipalpur. He built Bibi-Khanyam mosque in Samarkand in memory of his wife.

Before returning to his capital, he imposed a reign of terror in Delhi. Innumerable people were killed and many women were raped.

It is interesting to note that Timur was an ancestor of Babur who founded Mughal empire in India.

The effects of Timur's Invasion

• Timur's Invasion destroyed the Delhi sultanate and the dynasty of the Tughlaqs.

• Since Timur's army destroyed standing crops, a terrible famine broke out in Delhi.

• Trade and Commerce came to a standstill.

Find Information on:

Lodi Dynasty

Sayyid Dynasty

Firoz Shah Tughlaq