Alauddin Khilji

He died in 1316 after suffering from edema. He was buried at the backside of the Qutb complex, in Mehrauli, Delhi, where a madrasa also stands, dedicated to him.

Alauddin Khilji was born as Juna Muhammad Khilji in 1250 in Birbhum district, Bengal, to Shihabuddin Masud, brother of the first Sultan of Khilji dynasty, Jalaluddin Firuz Khilji.

Despite lacking proper education during childhood, he grew up to become a powerful and excellent warrior.

He was appointed as Amir-i-Tuzuk (Master of Ceremonies) by the Sultan in his court.

He was made the Governor of Kara in 1291 after successfully suppressing the revolt by Malik Chhajju. Soon after, he was also given the province of Oudh after the victorious expedition of Bhilsa in 1292.

Alauddin treacherously killed Jalaluddin and captured the throne of Delhi, thereby becoming the new Sultan in 1296.

Even though he succeeded in murdering his uncle to assume power as the Sultan of Delhi, he had to face difficulties from rebels within his empire for the first two years, whom he suppressed to maintain absolute power.

The Mongols continuously invaded Delhi during 1296-1308, under different leaders, whom he successfully defeated at the battles of Jalandhar (1298), Kili (1299), Amroha (1305), and Ravi (1306).

In 1303, he invaded the kingdom of Mewar and killed Ratan Singh, the king of Chittor, to abduct his beautiful wife, Rani Padmini, who committed Jauhar (suicide) by burning herself in a funeral pyre, while Chittor was successfully conquered.

He progressed towards Malwa in 1305, where a bloody battle was fought between its ruler Mahlak Dev and Alauddin’s general, Ain-ul-Mulk Multani. While the king was killed, Malwa, along with Mandu, Chanderi and Dhar, were captured.

In 1308, he sent his lieutenant, Malik Kafur, to attack Warangal, which saw a fierce battle, after which the Warangal Fort was captured. All its treasure, including one of the largest known diamonds in the world, Koh-i-noor, was looted.