Cause of the Downfall of Khalji Empire

Cause of the Downfall of Khalji Empire

Khalji imperialism emerged in India after the downfall of the slave Dynasty. No doubt, during the Sultanate period various dynasties rose and fall in rapid succession but Alauddin Khalji was the most powerful ruler of Delhi sultanate during this period. Although the Khalji dynasty was founded by JalaluddinKhalji, Alauddin who was an ambitious and imperialistic ruler ruled successfully for more than 25 years. He introduced several reforms in the organization of army and administrations. He established a very powerful and vast empire on the basis of his military power but with his death and within four years the powerful Khalji Empire collapsed like a house of cards. The factors noted below contributed to its s rapid downfall.

Unpopularity of Khalji Rulers

The Khalji rulers were not popular. Jalaluddin was unpopular amongst the Khaljis and the nobles and people did not like him due to his chicken-hearted policy, disinterestedness in war and fanaticism. Similarly, Alauddin could not receive the people’s favour as a result of his sternness, cruelty, oppressive nature, despotism and anti-Hindu policy. Mubarak Shah was also unpopular among the people due to his loose morals, immoral character and sensual living. No dynasty could rule for a long time without the active cooperation of the people, hence the downfall of Khaljis was inevitable.

Despotism of Alauddin

No doubt, Alauddin was a powerful and successful ruler. He organized a powerful army and not only established law and order in the country by suppressing the rebels and conspirators but also encountered the Mongols and saved the Muslim empire from decline. During his reign the frontier extended far and wide. He established complete control over nobles, governors and the Ulema and introduced several land and revenue reforms.  His market regulations need special attention of the readers. Although the immediate results of his policy proved beneficial, as it was based on sheer animal power, it proved fatal in the long run. People of all classes were dissatisfied with the reforms of Alauddin. This dissatisfaction and opposition ended the Khalji empire once and for all.

Influence of Mongol Invasions

The Mongols made incessant invasions on Delhi sultanate during the region of Khalji Sultans. It weakened the empire and endangered the safety of the country. The Mongols were chiefly plunderers. They made the country financially very weak by their constant invasions and plunders. It weakened the very foundation of the empire and made its downfall inevitable.

Weak and Disabled Successors

Just four years after the death of Alauddin, his vast empire collapsed. It indicates the weakness and disability of his successors. Malik Kafur mis-utilized the confidence of his master and enthroned Shihabuddin, a child of six years. After the death of Malik Kafur, Mubarak Shah took over the reign but he too proved to be a frivolous and sensual lad with no interest in the affairs of the state. Accession of Khusrau Khan, a fovourite of Mubarak Shah, further weakened the Sultanate and made its decline imminent.

Lack of Law of succession

There was no law of succession among the Muslim rulers. T he jungle law, the survival of the fittest, prevailed and the sword was the decisive factor. Absence of law of succession always produced anarchy and often led to the rise of opponents. Dr. A.H. Husain remarks, “Faction fought faction and dynasty succeeded dynasty.” As a result, intrigues and conspiracies raised their head after the death of Alauddin. T he conspiracies and counter conspiracies enfeebled the empire and it collapsed like a house of cards.

Lack of Military Power

Alauddin had organized a permanent strong army. He increased the number of soldiers and tried to remove all the defects in the old army system. He provided proper training, enforced strict discipline and equipped them with fine arms and horses of good breed but after his death his successors failed to maintain their influence over the army due to their own weakness. Hence the power and fighting skill of the army were destroyed. Permanent army was abolished by these rulers and they had to depend on the forces of the provincial governors. It increased the power and prestige of the nobles and weak Sultans became puppets in the hands of powerful governors.

Decline of Slaves

Efficient slaves had an upper hand in the reign of Turkish Sultanate. The Sultans had all faith in them. Aibak, Iltutmish and Balban were slaves but they captured royal power by dint of their ability and they were granted favour by their master due to their faithful services, but the slaves of the latter period were flatterers and treacherous. Malik Kafur poisoned his master Alauddin Khalji. Khusrau Khan murdered Sultan Mubarak Shah. Thus, the slave system which was born earlier proved a bane for the  empire and people began to be scared of the shadow of the slaves.

Opposition of Hindus

 Before the coming of the Turks, the Hindus ruler over India. The Muslims had established their ruler in India after crushing the independence of the Hindus; hence there could be no harmony between the two rival communities. Alauddin adopted an anti-Hindu policy. He confiscated their property and wealth, enhanced taxation and took away their privileges. Thus, the Sultan crippled the Hindus from economic, political, social and religions points of view. It created a feeling of hatred and animosity among Hindus against the Muslim ruler. The opposition of Hindus weakened the Khalji Empire and it was ultimately swept away.

Opposition of Stern Muslim Mullas and Ulema

Alauddin’s religious attitude also weakened the Khalji empire. He did not recognize the suzerainty of the Khalifa like earlier sultans. He endeavored to separate politics from religions and thus he did not care to be in the good books of orthodox Muslims and the Ulema. He never sought the certificate of recognition from the Khalifa and thus he annoyed the staunch Muslims. They also helped in the downfall of Alauddin Khalji and the decline and fall of the Khalji Empire.

Internal Revolts and Conflicts

In fact the history of Khalji dynasty was a long tale of murders, revolts, conspiracies and bloodshed. Jalaluddin Khalji founded the Khalji dynasty with the murder of Kaiqubad but he was himself assassinated by his nephew and son-in-law, AlauddinKhalji. In his turn Alauddin was poisoned by Malik Kafur who also met his doom through assassination. Mubarak Shah killed his brother to get and secure the throne but ultimately he was also butchered by his most favorite, Khusrau Shah. Thus if he empire of Khaljis lasted for thirty years only, there is nothing surprising about it, as its foundation was laid on murders and conspiracies.

Alauddin Khalji was the most powerful ruler of the Khalji dynasty. He maintained the administration of the empire properly but it was merely a one-man show. So long as he survived, he controlled the affairs of the empire properly but after his death his unworthy successors could not effectively manage the affairs of the Sultanate as they lacked in ability and capability of his predecessor. Hence, just after four years of the death of Alauddin the Khalji Empire disintegrated and a new dynasty called the Tughluq Dynasty emerged.

SHARE

Milan Tomic

Hi. I’m Designer of Blog Magic. I’m CEO/Founder of ThemeXpose. I’m Creative Art Director, Web Designer, UI/UX Designer, Interaction Designer, Industrial Designer, Web Developer, Business Enthusiast, StartUp Enthusiast, Speaker, Writer and Photographer. Inspired to make things looks better.

• 
• 
• 
• 
•