[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [General history and culture](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general) › [The Sultanate of Delhi, 711–1526 A.D.](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.srivastava-1950) › c19.s6 # The Sultanate of Delhi, 711–1526 A.D. c19.s6: The Mongol invasions : North-Western Frontier policy The Sultanate of Delhi, 711–1526 A.D. c19.s6 - **Language:** English ### The Mongol invasions : North-Western Frontier policy ### [c19.s6.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.srivastava-1950.c19.s6.1) Ala-ud-din's reign was greatly disturbed by a series of Mongol invasions which threatened not only the Panjab, Multan and Sindh but even the capital city of Delhi and the fertile region of the Ganga-Yamuna Doab. It will be recalled that Balban had been prevented from following the policy of conquest of the neighbouring Hindu principalities owing to the threat of ever-recurring Mongol raids on his frontier. Ala-ud-din, however, was much more able and adventurous than Balban. He could successfully keep the Mongols in check and, at the same time, pursue a policy of aggressive warfare in the interior of India. It is said that he repelled more than a dozen Mongol invasions. The Mongols had begun to give him trouble right from the beginning of his reign and continued to do so till 1308. Ala-ud-din could, therefore, enjoy repose from this trouble for a little over seven years only. ### [c19.s6.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.srivastava-1950.c19.s6.2) The first Mongol invasion occurred at the end of 1296 when Ala-ud-din had been only a few months on the throne. Zafar Khan, one of his four bosom friends, was despatched against them. He encountered the invaders near Jalandar and defeated them with great slaughter. The second invasion took place in 1297. This time the Mongols captured the fortress of Siri very near Delhi, but Zafar Khan, upon whom had devolved the work of guarding the north-western frontier, defeated the invaders, recaptured the town after a short siege and took the Mongol leader with 1,700 of his followers, including their wives and children, prisoners and sent them to Delhi. In 1299 the Mongols appeared again under their leader, \`Qutlugh Khwaja, who had an army of two lakh Mongols under his command. Their object this time was not plunder but conquest. They marched to the neighbourhood of Delhi without molesting the inhabitants and prepared to besiege the capital city. It was a time of dangerous crisis for the Sultan who sought the advice of his friend, Ala-ul-mulk, as to the measures to be adopted for the safety of the capital. The kotwal advised him to temporise with the invaders instead of attacking them at once. Ala-ud-din, however, refused to accept this advice and attacked the \`Mongols the next morning. The advance guard of the royal army was led by Zafar Khan who defeated the enemy and pursued him relentlessly. He was drawn away from the main part of the royal army and was surrounded and slain by the Mongols. But the invaders lost heart and fled back to their country. The impression created by Zafar Khan proved so lasting that Mongol soldiers urged their weary horses to drink water “by asking whether they had seen Zafar Khan that they feared to slake their thirst !” Ala-ud-din, however, did not seem to have taken seriously the loss of such a valiant commander as Zafar Khan, for he looked upon him as a dangerously ambitious man. ### [c19.s6.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.srivastava-1950.c19.s6.3) The fourth important Mongol invasion occurred at a time when the Sultan was occupied in the siege of Chittor and when one of his armies had suffered a great reverse in Telingana. A Mongol army 12,000 strong, under their leader, Taghi, reached and encamped near Delhi. Their movement had been so rapid as to prevent the governors from the provinces to reach Delhi with their contingents. Ala-ud-din was obliged to take shelter in the fortress of Siri where he was besieged for two months. The Mongols plundered the surrounding country and carried their raids even into the streets of Delhi. But, fortunately, the Mongols withdrew after three months of campaigning, as they were not experienced in the art of capturing towns by a regular siege. ### [c19.s6.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.srivastava-1950.c19.s6.4) Seeing that huge Mongol armies had twice reached Delhi without any hindrance or opposition on the way, Ala-ud-din took effective measures to protect the frontier so as to prevent a future raid on his capital. He repaired the old forts in the Panjab, Multan and Sindh, and built new ones. All these were garrisoned with powerful troops. Besides, he posted an additional army charged with the duty of guarding the frontier. He appointed a special governor of the frontier region who became known as the Warden of the Marches. ### [c19.s6.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.srivastava-1950.c19.s6.5) Inspite, however, of the above measures, a Mongol army, led by Ali Beg, a descendant of Changiz Khan, raided the Panjab and, evading the frontier garrisons, appeared in the neighbourhood of Amroha, plundering and burning the country on the way. Malik Kafur and Ghazi Malik were sent to encounter the invaders. They intercepted the invader while they were on their return journey, laden with huge plunder. The Mongols were defeated and their leaders were taken prisoners. The two topmost Mongol chiefs were trampled to death by elephants. Other prisoners were put to death and their heads were built into the walls of the fortress of Siri. It was after this that the veteran military commander, Ghazi Malik, was appointed governor of the Panjab in 1305. He successfully defended the frontier throughout Ala-ud-din’s reign. The Mongols appeared again in 1306. Crossing the Indus near Multan, they proceeded towards the Himalayas. plundering the country as usual. Ghazi Malik successfully barred their passage and attacked and killed a large number of them. Fifty thousand of the invaders, including their leader, Kabk, were taken prisoners. They were put to death and their wives and children were sold as slaves. ### [c19.s6.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.srivastava-1950.c19.s6.6) The last Mongol invasion took place in 1307-8. Their army was led by a chief named Iqbalmand. He crossed the Indus, but could not proceed much further when he was encountered, defeated and slain. Quite a large number of the invaders were taken prisoners and were sent to Delhi where they were put to death. The Mongols did not venture after that date (1308) to disturb Ala-ud-din, and the country remained immune from their barbarous inroads until the time of Qutub-ud-din Mubarak. --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.srivastava-1950.c19.s6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.general.srivastava-1950.c19.s6) · Pramāṇa