History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c19.17

c19.17

The ruling passion of the sultan was ambition. He thirsted for immortality. To transcend the victories of Alexander and to found a religion which would not let die his name in the annals of mankind, were the two burning desires of his soul. His unpractical notions were aggravated by the stimulation of wine, flattery of friends, and the great good fortune that attended all his enterprises. But luckily 'Alāūddin always lent a ready ear to sincere advice, and his almost mad schemes were toned down by the faithful counsellor Malik 'Al that he was a promising general. It is alleged that 'Alāuddīn himself was not a great general and his victories were due to his able commanders like Alp Khān and Naib Kāfūr. But this view is wholly incorrect. While yet an unknown figure, 'Alāūddīn had distinguished himself in the fighting against Malik Chhajjū (1292) and in raiding Bhilsa (1292). Thereafter his astounding success against the powerful Maratha army of Devagiri established his reputation as a military commander. Just after his occupation of the throne 'Alāūddīn himself could not safely leave the capital and therefore sent Ulugh Khān and Nuṣrat Khān to occupy Multan and conquer Gujarat. But in 1299 'Alāūddīn successfully defeated Qutlugh Khvājā and in 1303 repulsed perhaps the most formidable Mughal invasion under Targhī. The way in which he argued with Malik 'Alaulmulk before marching against the Mongols, clearly shows the spirit of gallantry and sportsmanship the king possessed. The entrenchment 'Alāūddīn prepared to defend himself against the Mughals during Targhī's invasion shows his ingenuity as a strategist. The most formidable battles, as can well be expected, were fought either against the Mughals or in Rajputana and in most of them the sultan showed his organizing capacity, his diplomacy and his military skill. When Ulugh Khān was compelled to retreat during his siege of Ranthambhor, 'Alāūddīn himself marched against it and reduced it simply through his persistent exertions and superior military genius. In 1303 'Alāūddīn was successful in reducing Chittor, which had not been taken by any previous sultan and which put an edge on the teeth of even a strong emperor like Akbar. The victory at Chittor was followed by a death-grappling struggle with the Mughals in which also the king gained an astounding success. From 1303 onwards 'Alāūddīn effected certain administrative reforms and could not move out of the capital but the work of conquest was carried on by his generals like 'Ainul Mulk Multānī and Naib Kāfūr. In 1308 Kāfūr marched to the south and 'Alāuddīn himself marched to Sevana. Thus from 1290 to 1308 'Alāuddīn was constantly fighting, always to court victory. When Kāfūr began his meteoric career in the south, the sultan found ample opportunity to take rest from camp life and construct buildings of beauty, grace and grandeur. 'Alāuddīn's military genius is exhibited in so far as he made his commanders obediently carry out his orders and conquer for him. In an age when strife and disaffection were rife and a military leader almost invariably aspired for the throne, brilliant generals like Ulugh Khān, Nuṣrat Khān, Malik Kāfūr and Ghāzī Malik showed unflinching obedience towards the king. To make such people undertake conquests in his name shows the superiority of 'Alāuddīn's military talents, his born military leadership and the fact that he was a general of generals.