History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290–1320 c8.19

c8.19

At the time of ‘Alāuddīn’s invasion Ranthambhor was ruled by the Chauhān prince Hammīr Deva, a direct descendant of the renowned Prithvi Raj.¹⁰ Muslim invaders had repeatedly tried to establish their authority in Ranthambhor but without success. It was attacked by Qutbuddin Aibak in 1209, and was captured by Iltutmish in 1226, but it regained its independence soon after., In 1291 Jalāluddīn Khaljī marched against it but finding the fortress impregnable gave up the idea of capturing it. But ‘Alāuddīn was made of a different stuff. He ordered his two generals Ulugh Khan, governor of Bayana and Nuṣrat Khan, governor of Kara, to invade Ranthambhor with the forces at their command. The joint armies¹¹ moved towards the Rajput stronghold and on their way captured and plundered Jhain¹² without encountering any resistance. Before arriving in Ranthambhor Ulugh Khan sent a message to the Chouhan prince that his master bore no grudge against the Rai and if the latter either put the fugitives to death or surrendered them to him, the imperial armies would return to Delhi. He further argued that when his suppliants had not proved faithful and loyal to those who had given them life and honour, how could they be expected to behave otherwise towards their new patron? In the end Hammīra was asked to be ready for consequences in case he refused to act in accordance with the instructions contained in the letter.¹³