History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c6.38

c6.38

Such was the state of the country with its problems of unification, administration and defence that the new king was called upon to tackle. The sons of Jalāluddīn were still living and could gather formidable strength any moment. Therefore, the foremost problem confronting 'Alāūddīn was of overthrowing the surviving scions of the late king.¹ Then there was the task of reconciling a nobility which had been accustomed to plotting against the crown.² No less important was the task of defending the frontiers against the Mughal invaders, who had set their heart on the conquest of Hindustan, and on one or two occasions had penetrated as far as Delhi itself.⁴ Again, the sultan had to conquer the independent states if he wanted to consolidate his power and perpetuate Muslim rule in the country.⁵ One of the chief characteristics of the sultanate period was that with the advent of a new dynasty, the process of conquest had to be repeated once again. Thus Gujarat, Chittor, Ranthambhor, the Deccan and Bengal, all had to be conquered repeatedly. In fact the subjugation of Rajputana is the test by which every king of Delhi should be judged. At the time of 'Alāūddīn's accession, most of northern India and the whole of the Deccan was beyond the sphere of Muslim domination.⁵ Therefore, the conquest of the whole of Hindustan was the greatest problem and the highest ambition of the king.⁶ On the top of it all was the problem of placing the administration on an efficient and stable footing. The big landlords were a thriving menace. There being little contact between the local administration and the Central government, because of lack of responsible officers, the local magnates like Khūts and Muqqadams were left to enjoy a large measure of independence. The sultan had to think out ways and means of bringing them under control, and utilising their services to the best interests of the state.