Khilji Dynasty: Jalal ud din Firuz Khilji

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. The Khalji 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 Chajju 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.