Alauddin Khilji's reign is marked by his successful defense against which foreign invader?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer
Mongols
Explanation
Alauddin Khilji's reign (1296–1316) is highly celebrated in Indian history for his successful and aggressive military defense against the Mongols. During his rule, the Mongol Chagatai Khanate launched several massive invasions into India, even reaching the gates of Delhi. Alauddin implemented sweeping military and economic reforms—such as maintaining a large standing army, fixing the prices of essential commodities, and repairing frontier forts—to successfully repel these catastrophic invasions led by commanders like Qutlugh Khwaja, Ali Beg, and Tartaq.
The other options are incorrect because they belong to entirely different chronological eras of Indian history:
Timur invaded India much later in 1398, during the decline of the Tughlaq dynasty, long after the Khilji dynasty had ended.
Babur invaded India in 1526, defeating Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat to establish the Mughal Empire.
Mahmud of Ghazni launched a series of 17 plundering invasions into northwestern India between 1000 and 1027 CE, during the early medieval period.
Key Points
Alauddin Khilji adopted a policy of 'blood and iron' to deal with the Mongol threat, executing thousands of captured Mongol prisoners to strike terror into the invaders. To sustain the massive army required to fight the Mongols without depleting the state treasury, he introduced strict price control mechanisms (Market Reforms), ensuring that soldiers could survive on lower salaries.
Additional Facts
Some of the most critical battles fought between Alauddin's forces and the Mongols include the Battle of Jalandhar (1298), the Battle of Kili (1299), and the Siege of Delhi (1303). His legendary military commanders, especially Zafar Khan (who died fighting heroically at Kili) and Malik Kafur, played pivotal roles in crushing the Mongol advances. To safeguard the capital from sudden sieges, Alauddin also constructed the famous Siri Fort in Delhi, which served as a heavily fortified military headquarters and the new seat of his power.
Important Questions and Answers
Question: Which legendary general of Alauddin Khilji, known for his exceptional bravery, was killed during the Battle of Kili while fighting the Mongols?
Answer: Zafar Khan.
Question: Which fortified garrison city was built by Alauddin Khilji in Delhi to protect his capital and citizens from frequent Mongol raids?
Answer: Siri Fort.