With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements: 1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji. 2. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city. 3. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Contents14
- A1 and 2
- B2 only
- C1 and 3
- D3 only
Show answer
Answer: (B) 2 only
The answer is (B) Statement 2 only.
Statement 1 is WRONG:
The first Mongol invasion of India did NOT happen under Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
It happened much earlier — Genghis Khan reached the Indus River in 1221 during the reign of ILTUTMISH (chasing the Khwarizmi prince).
The Khalji dynasty came much later.
Statement 2 is CORRECT:
During Ala-ud-din Khalji's reign, a massive Mongol army (1,20,000 horsemen) under Targhi reached DELHI in 1303 and actually BESIEGED the city for two months.
Ala-ud-din had to hide in Siri Fort because most of his army was away on the Telingana campaign.
The Mongols eventually left because they couldn't break the fort.
Statement 3 is WRONG:
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq did NOT lose territory to Mongols.
When Mongols invaded under Tarmashirin in 1327, accounts suggest either Muhammad Tughlaq defeated them or bribed them to leave.
No territory was permanently lost.
The Mongols invaded India multiple times across different dynasties - first under Iltutmish in 1221, then major sieges under the Khaljis, continuing into Tughlaq period.
The 1303 Mongol siege of Delhi under Ala-ud-din Khalji was particularly significant because the invaders actually reached and besieged the capital city for two months while most of the Sultan's army was away campaigning in South India.
Mongol Invasions of India
Ancient And Medieval History Mongol invasion Mongol assault besieged
Mongol Invasions of India: Timeline & Impact on Delhi Sultanate
First Mongol invasion: 1221 under Genghis Khan during Iltutmish's reign
Major siege: 1303 Mongol army besieged Delhi for 2 months under Ala-ud-din Khalji
No permanent territorial loss to Mongols by any Delhi Sultan
Mongols reached Indus River in 1221 chasing Khwarizmi prince
Context
The Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan and his successors repeatedly invaded the Indian subcontinent from 1221 to 1327. These invasions tested every major ruler of the Delhi Sultanate but never resulted in permanent conquest of Indian territory.
Major Mongol Invasions
Year | Mongol Leader | Delhi Sultan | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
1221 | Genghis Khan | Iltutmish | Reached Indus River, withdrew |
1241 | Mongol raiders | Balban | Raided Punjab, repelled |
1299-1308 | Various commanders | Ala-ud-din Khalji | Multiple invasions, all defeated |
1303 | Targhi | Ala-ud-din Khalji | Besieged Delhi for 2 months, failed |
1327 | Tarmashirin | Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq | Defeated or bribed to leave |
The 1303 Delhi Siege
The most serious Mongol threat came in 1303 when 1,20,000 horsemen under Targhi reached Delhi. Ala-ud-din Khalji was caught unprepared as his main army was campaigning in Telingana. He had to take refuge in Siri Fort while the Mongols besieged the city for two months before withdrawing.
Mongol Invasion Routes
Source: Testbook — Mongol Invasions of India: Confrontation with Delhi Sultanate ... · testbook.com
Trap: First Mongol invasion was under Iltutmish (1221), NOT Jalal-ud-din Khalji
Trap: The 1303 siege happened under Ala-ud-din Khalji, not other Khaljis
Trap: Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq never lost territory to Mongols permanently
Trap: Genghis Khan reached Indus River but did not enter Delhi Sultanate proper
Khalji Dynasty
Ancient And Medieval History Jalal-ud-din Khalji Ala-ud-din Khalji
Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320): Key Rulers & Military Achievements
Founded 1290 by Jalal-ud-din Khalji after overthrowing Slave Dynasty
Ala-ud-din Khalji most successful ruler, defeated all Mongol invasions
Market control system and Deccan expansion under Ala-ud-din
Dynasty ended in 1320 with rise of Tughluqs
Khalji Rulers
Ruler | Reign | Key Achievement | Military Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
Jalal-ud-din Khalji | 1290-1296 | Founded dynasty | Faced early Mongol raids |
Ala-ud-din Khalji | 1296-1316 | Market control, Deccan conquest | Defeated all Mongol invasions |
Qutb-ud-din Mubarak | 1316-1320 | Relaxed harsh policies | Lost territories gained by Ala-ud-din |
Ala-ud-din's Achievements
Military success: Never lost a single battle against Mongols from 1299-1308
Economic policy: Fixed prices of essential commodities through market control
Territorial expansion: First to conquer Deccan kingdoms (Devagiri, Warangal, Dwarasamudra)
Administrative reforms: Reduced power of nobles, banned drinking and gambling
Fort construction: Built Siri Fort and Alai Darwaza at Qutub complex
Question Connection
The 2022 UPSC question tested knowledge of Mongol invasions during Khalji rule. While Jalal-ud-din faced some Mongol threats, the first invasion was much earlier under Iltutmish. The 1303 Delhi siege under Ala-ud-din represents the most serious Mongol threat to any Delhi Sultan.
Trap: Jalal-ud-din founded the dynasty but Ala-ud-din was the great military leader
Trap: First Mongol invasion was NOT during Khalji period - it was during Iltutmish
Trap: Ala-ud-din successfully defended against Mongols, unlike some later rulers
Tughlaq Dynasty
Ancient And Medieval History Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq
Tughlaq Dynasty: Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's Reign & Policies
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq (1325-1351) known for ambitious but failed experiments
Never lost territory permanently to Mongols during 1327 invasion
Capital transfer from Delhi to Daulatabad and back was his major failure
Token currency experiment collapsed due to counterfeiting
Context
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq was the most controversial Delhi Sultan, famous for ambitious experiments that failed spectacularly. Despite his administrative failures, he successfully defended against external invasions including the 1327 Mongol invasion under Tarmashirin.
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's Major Policies
Policy | Objective | Outcome | Reason for Failure |
|---|---|---|---|
Capital Transfer | Control Deccan better | Complete failure | Forced migration, people died en route |
Token Currency | Solve financial crisis | Abandoned in 2 years | Massive counterfeiting |
Taxation in Doab | Increase revenue | Rebellion & famine | Excessive rates during drought |
Mongol Defense (1327) | Protect northwest frontier | Success | Either defeated or bribed Mongols |
Military & External Relations
1327 Mongol invasion: Tarmashirin led invasion but no territory was lost permanently
Deccan campaigns: Lost most southern territories due to rebellions during his experiments
Bengal independence: Lost control over Bengal which became independent
Vijayanagara rise: His policies led to rise of independent Vijayanagara kingdom
Mongol Relations
When Tarmashirin invaded in 1327, contemporary accounts suggest Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq either defeated the invasion militarily or negotiated their withdrawal through tribute. Unlike earlier periods, no permanent territorial concessions were made to Mongols.
Trap: Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq did NOT lose territory to Mongols permanently in 1327
Trap: He lost territories due to internal rebellions, not Mongol conquests
Trap: His failed experiments caused territorial losses in Deccan, not Mongol invasions