History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c3.s2.23

c3.s2.23

The great Maratha kingdom of Devagiri lay between north India and the Deccan peninsula. To the north of Devagiri stood the mighty Vindhyas and to the north and northwest of it were situated the kingdoms of Malwa and Gujarat. In the east and south were situated the kingdoms of Telingana and the Hoysalās respectively, and in the west were the Western Ghāts. Protected by the Vindhyas on the north it remained outside the operational sphere of the foreign invaders who incessantly poured into northern India from the eighth to the thirteenth century, carrying away untold wealth from towns and temples alike and leaving misery and desolation behind. But at the close of the thirteenth century conditions changed, and the piercing eye of the ambitious 'Alāūddīn found a passage and a pretext for its conquest.