The Khaijis and The Tughlaqs in Haryana | HPSC Preparation: All subjects - HPSC (Haryana) PDF Download

Jalaluddin Firuz Khalji’s Reign and Expedition against the Chauhanas

• After Muizz-ud-din Kaiqubad, Jalaluddin Firuz Khalji became the ruler of Delhi in 1290 by seizing the power. He had already served as an iqtadar and niayabat under Balban and Kaiqubad, respectively. 
• While serving as an iqtadar of Kaithal, he rewarded a Mandahar Rajpur despite being wounded by him in an encounter. The Rajpur was appointed as vak’ldar under Malik Khurram with a salary of 100,000 jitals.
• In the early years of his reign, Jalaluddin led an expedition against the Chauhanas of Ranthambhor, who were led by Hamira Deva and aimed at expanding their territory into neighboring regions, particularly the parts of Haryana inhabited by the Mewatis. 
• Balban's efforts to suppress the Mewatis had failed. The expedition went through Rewari, Narnaul, and Alwar, and although it failed to capture Ranthambhor, it temporarily brought the Mewatis into submission.
• The nephew of the previous Sultan, Balban, named Ali Gurshasp assassinated him and took the throne as Ala-ud-din Khalji in 1296. During Ala-ud-din's reign, the Mongol invasions returned. In 1299, Qutlugh Khwaja led a massive army of 200,000 soldiers through the region on his way to Kili, which is approximately 8 kilometers from Delhi. 
• The Mongols and the imperial forces engaged in a battle at Kili. The exact route taken by the Mongols is unknown, but it is believed that they passed through Haryana to obtain supplies for their army, such as cattle, grains, and fodder.

Mongol Invasions during Alauddin Khalji's Reign

• During the reign of Alauddin Khalji, the Mongols launched attacks on Indian territories under Targhi (1301-03), Ali Beg, and Tartaq (1305-06). The Siwaliks were plundered, and their inhabitants fled across the fords of the Ganges, with many of their towns set on fire. 
• The Mongols met with stiff resistance from Malik Nayak, Alauddin's Hindu general and the governor of Samana, and were defeated in a battle at Hansi-Sirsawa according to Sunam/Isami, or in the Araroha district according to Barani. 
• Although the Mongols were in large numbers, they were defeated by the more compact and disciplined army of Nayak, who arrested two Mongol commanders—AH Beg and Tartaq—and presented 20,000 of their horses to the Sultan. 
• Alauddin organised a grand durbar to receive Malik Nayak along with his officers and staff.
• Alauddin was a strict military ruler who believed in suppressing rebellions. He believed that prosperity leads to sedition and rebellion, while poverty guarantees stability and peace. 
• Therefore, he ordered his officials to create laws that would suppress the people and drain their wealth and property. He also increased revenue, lowered the prices of goods, and imposed various duties and restrictions on the business community. 
• These measures angered the people, and their reaction was evident during the reigns of Alauddin's weak successors. One such successor, Qutb ud-din Mubarak Shah (1315-20), abandoned many of these harsh measures, reduced revenue, and lifted controls. 
• However, due to his addiction to drinking and other vices, he did not last long as Sultan. A palace revolution on April 15, 1320, put Nasiruddin Khusrau Khan on the throne before the full implementation of Alauddin's policy.

Political opposition and rebellion against the Delhi Sultanate

• Ghazi Malik Tughlaq, the governor of Lahore and Dipalpur, did not approve of the political developments in the capital and decided to oppose it. 
• His son, Fakhruddin Jauna, who was a high official at the Delhi court, joined his father's forces at Dipalpur. To protect him, Muhammad Sartiah, an officer of Malik Tughlaq, took possession of Sirsa. 
• Malik Tughlaq then began his campaign to capture the throne of Delhi, accepting the assistance of local chiefs of Haryana, such as the Khokar Gulchandra, Niju, Sahij Rai, and the Meos. Despite fighting for the glory of Islam, he was shrewd enough to accept the help of these non-Muslim chiefs.
• Barani, Isami, and Amir Khusrau all provide a detailed description of the battle of Sarasvati. The imperial army chose to avoid the fort of Sirsa, which was held by a loyal officer of Ghazi Malik named Muhammad Sartiah. 
• Instead, they marched through Alapur and along the bank of Bhat. Khusrau criticized the Delhi army for making a "stupid miscalculation" by wandering aimlessly through the wilderness at night. 
• As a result, the soldiers were thirsty and tired by morning and found themselves facing the enemy forces. They had no choice but to fight.

The Battle of Sarasvati

• During the Battle of Sarasvati, the Delhi army faced a severe attack from the Khokars, which caused the front ranks of the army to be completely shattered. 
• Khan-i-Khanan, who had no prior experience leading an army in battle, decided to flee. In the chaos, Gulchand, the Khokar chief, charged at Khan-i-Khanan's chatra bearer, killed him, and placed the chatra on Tughlaq's head, symbolizing his royalty. 
• According to Khusrau, the Delhi army was defeated in one attack, but K.A. Nizami pointed out that Isami acknowledged that it was the Khokars who won the battle of Sarasvati for Malik Tughlaq and the glory of Islam.
• Qutlugh Khan, a brave commander, lost his life in the battle, while Khan-i-Khanan, Yusuf Khan, Shaista Khan, and Qadr Khan escaped from the battlefield. 
• The army that emerged victorious captured Hansi and then marched through Madina, Mandoti, and Palam, finally setting up camp at Lahrawat where it achieved another decisive victory over the imperial army. 
• After the conquest, Malik Tughlaq established strict order in the newly acquired territory, which included a larger area of Haryana. Despite his officers extracting six lakhs of tanks from a caravan of innocent corn-merchants, Malik Tughlaq refused to accept the sum.
• After the political developments at the capital, Ghazi Malik became the ruler of Delhi as Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq in 1320. 
• He followed Alauddin's policy of repression, particularly against those who were favored by Khusrau Khan, a Hindu who had converted to Islam. 
• He issued a policy that peasants should be treated in a way that prevented them from rebelling or being impoverished to the point of giving up farming. Tughlaq made a significant effort to manage revenue affairs with both firmness and empathy.
• Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq established guidelines for the behavior of the muqtas and governors in relation to land revenue collection, and took measures to protect peasants from their abuse of power. 
• After Ghiyasuddin, his son Muhammad bin-Tughlaq exacerbated the suffering of the people with his erratic policies. 
• The increase in revenue collection, heavy taxes on homes, and even branding of cattle all contributed to popular dissatisfaction with these oppressive measures, as described by Barani.

Unrest during the reign of Muhammad bin-Tughlaq

• During the reign of Muhammad bin-Tughlaq, the peasants, who were mainly Hindus, resorted to burning their barns and driving their cattle away. They also formed groups of ten or twenty and sought refuge in jungles near tanks. Many people fled and could not be traced. 
• Collectors and accountants were unable to collect revenue and returned empty-handed. This unrest was a result of the largely increased revenue, the burden of taxes on houses, and the branding of cattle, which were considered oppressive measures. Barani aptly described the popular unrest generated by these measures.

Revolt against Tughlaq's Oppression

• During the reign of Muhammad bin-Tughlaq, there was a widespread revolt against the oppressive measures imposed by the Sultan. Peasants in places such as Kuhram, Sunam, Kaithal, Samana, and other areas refused to pay taxes, and villagers resorted to highway robbery. 
• They formed small groups and clashed with the administration. To prevent these rebellious tendencies, the Sultan himself marched against the insurgents and defeated them. 
• He also appointed only men of his confidence to administer several areas, including Delhi, Hansi, and Sirsa, which were frequently mentioned by contemporary Muslim writers.
• Ibn-Batuta recorded that the iqtadar of Hansi was Malik Muajjam Hoshang, succeeded by Ibrahim Kharetadar, who was also given charge of Sirsa. However, as Ibrahim became increasingly powerful and even rebelled against the imperial authority, he was executed on the orders of the Sultan. 
• Apart from these internal problems, the Sultan also faced a Mongol invasion led by Tarmashirin. 
• Despite the challenge, he successfully defended against the invaders and pursued them up to Thanesar, where he sent troops to pursue them further towards the Indus River. However, after Muhammad's death in Thalta, Sindh, riots and looting erupted once again.
• During the reign of Muhammad Tughlaq, Ibn-Batuta, a famous Arab traveler, visited this part of India. According to his accounts, Sarasuti (Sirsa) and Hansi were the main towns in northern India. Sirsa was known for producing high-quality rice that was in great demand in the Delhi market, and its taxes were steep. 
• Hansi was a densely populated and well-planned town with a stunning boundary wall surrounding it. It was constructed by Tura (Tomara), a Hindu king, and had various popular stories associated with him.
• The Arab traveler Ibn-Batuta mentions several notable individuals in the town of Hansi during the reign of Muhammad Tughlaq, including Qazi Kamaluddin, Kazi ul-Quzat, and Qutlugh Khan, who was the tutor of the Sultan and his brothers Nizamuddin and Samsuddin. 
• Amir Khurd also notes that the Sultan was closely associated with Qutbuddin Munawwar of Hansi, who, along with others, predicted that the Tughlaq dynasty would come to an end with the reign of Furuz, who would rule like a saint.

Saiyyids of Kaithal during the reign of Muhammad Tughlaq

• During Muhammad Tughlaq's reign, the city of Kaithal became a hub of activity for prominent Saiyyid families. Among them were Saiyyid Mugisuddin and his elder brother Mujibuddin Kali Pagadiwale, who were known for their spiritual knowledge. 
• The family of Barani, a famous historian, was related to the Saiyyids of Kaithal. His father, Saiyyid Jalaluddin, was considered one of the most influential and respected Saiyyids in Kaithal, and his grandmother was known for performing miracles. 
• However, the Saiyyids of Kaithal did not have the Sultan's favor, possibly due to their Sufi creed and opposition to his repressive policies. The Sultan executed many of them and awarded their land as jagirs to Hindu chiefs, as reported by Tarikh-i-Mubarak Shahi and Mmtakhab-ut-Tawarikh.

Firuz Tughlaq's Succession to the Throne and Journey to Delhi

• In 1351, Firuz Tughlaq, who was Ghiyasuddin's nephew and had a Bhatti Rajput mother, was declared the next ruler at Thatta. The nobles, Shaiks, and Ulema of the court supported him, and he began his journey back to Delhi, where the nazir, Khwaja-i-Jahan, had rebelled. 
• On August 23 of the same year, the naib-wazir Qawamul Mulk and Amir-i-Azam Qatbugha, who had fled from Delhi, joined the Sultan at Agroha, a place near which the city of Fatehabad was later constructed and named after the Sultan's son, Fateh Khan, who was born on that very day. 
• During his journey, the grocers and bankers at Sirsa presented him with a significant amount of money, which was badly needed to meet the army's expenses. However, the Sultan only accepted it as a loan to repay after his arrival in Delhi. 
• While passing through Hansi, he visited Shaikh Qutb-ud-din Munawwar, a well-known mystic, but unfortunately interrupted his preparations for Friday prayer. The Shaikh criticized the Sultan for drinking alcohol and hunting animals unnecessarily.
• Afif recorded the conversation between the two individuals in his Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi in the following manner. It was brought to his attention that the Sultan had a fondness for wine. 
• The Shaikh pointed out that if even the rulers and religious leaders indulge in drinking wine, then the needs of the poor and underprivileged will not be given enough attention. In response, the Sultan promised not to drink anymore. 
• The Shaikh then went on to express his knowledge that the Sultan was also a passionate hunter. He explained that hunting causes distress and trouble in the world and should only be pursued when necessary to fulfill human needs. 
• Any unnecessary killing of animals was wrong, and hunting should not be pursued beyond the essential requirements. The Shaikh disapproved of anything beyond that.
• It should be noted that while the Sultan showed respect to the Shaikh, he did not directly promise to stop hunting, instead he avoided the question. As a result, the Shaikh refused to accept any gifts offered by the Sultan. 
• However, the Shaikh warmly welcomed Nasiruddin Mahmud, who had accompanied the Sultan, as they were both disciples of Shaikh Nizamuddin Aulia and had been ordained on the same day. In honor of their great master, the Shaikh arranged religious gatherings and recitals of the Holy Scriptures. 
• Firuz then continued his march to Dhansa, where Khwaja-i-Jahan submitted to him, sacrificed his life, and cleared the way for Firuz's entry into the imperial capital.
• During his reign, Sultan Firuz implemented several administrative reforms, including his canal construction plan, which greatly improved agricultural cultivation in Haryana. He also granted the title of Khan-i-Jahan to Malik Maqbul, who later became Naib-wazir. 
• As part of his new administrative measures, he appointed Malik Khatab, the Kotwal of Hansi, as the governor of Sirhind and Multan, and appointed Kamaluddin as the Chief of Samana. 
• Yal Khan, Tajjuddin, and Bahadur Nahir were appointed as the new iqtadars of Safidon, Rewari, and Mewat, respectively.

Administrative Measures and Canal Constructions during Firuz Tughlaq's Reign

• Firuz Tughlaq's reign saw various administrative reforms, including the creation of the new iqta of Hisar-Firuzah, which was done to acknowledge the city's help in securing the throne for him. According to Afif, Hisar-Firuzah was a large, populous and flourishing city, surrounded by a rampart and a ditch. Inside the rampart were the royal palace, a tank, and officials' residences, all constructed by Firuz. 
• He also built two canals, Rajiwaha and Ulugh Khani, which flowed from Yamuna and Satluj to Hisar-Firuzah, passing through Karnal. The area under the jurisdiction of Hisar-Firuzah included Hansi, Agroha, Fatehabad, Sirsa up to Salura and Khizrabad, and adjoining areas, which became the shiq or provincial capital under the governorship of Malik Delan. 
• The canal constructions greatly benefited Jind, Dhatrat, Tughlaqpur (Safidon), and other places. Additionally, Firuz conferred the title of Khan-i-Jahan on Malik Maqbul, who later became the Naib-wazir, and appointed various officials to govern different regions under his administrative measures, including Malik Khatab, Kamaluddin, Yal Khan, Tajjuddin, and Bahadur Nahir.
• The purpose behind constructing the canals was to address the water shortage that occurred during the summer season. Even visitors from other places like Iraq and Khorasan were charged four jitals for a pot of drinking water due to the scarcity. 
• The lack of rainfall meant that only coarse grains could be grown during the Kharif season, as the wheat required more water than was available. 
• To resolve this, Sultan Firuz ordered the construction of five additional canals: The first canal ran from Sutlej to Jhajjar. The second ran from Sirmur hills to Hansi, Arsan, and Hisar-Firuzah, with a large tank constructed near the royal palace, filled with water from this canal. The third ran from Ghaggar via Sarsuti fort to Harni Khera, where he constructed a fort named Firuzabad. The fourth canal ran from Yamuna at Budhai to Hisar-Firuzah, and the fifth canal joined the waters of Sarasvatl to those of Salima.
• The canal system seemed to follow a certain principle where the main canals were constructed by the state, while minor feeders were to be maintained by state officers. The cultivators were responsible for the expenses of canal construction and maintenance. 
• Once the canal system was completed, it provided Firuz with a personal income of approximately two lakhs of tankas per year. This indicates how much the system had contributed to the growth of kharif and rabi crops. 
• According to Afif, no previous Delhi king had possessed as much personal property as Firuz Shah, and eventually, a separate department was created with its own officers to manage his personal assets.

Firuz Shah's Acquisition of Asoka's Pillars

• Firuz Shah discovered two pillars of Asoka, one in Nawira village in the Salura district, and the other in Khizrabad near the hills, approximately 90 km away from Delhi. He was unaware of their significance but decided to bring them to Delhi. The larger of the two pillars, which Firuz called the "golden pillar," was transported to Delhi, and Afif provides a detailed account of its journey and installation.
• The Sultan, who enjoyed hunting as a favorite leisure activity, frequently hunted in the jungles of Haryana, particularly in Hisar and other nearby areas. During one of these hunting trips, he arrived in Thanesar and an interesting event occurred, which has been described in detail in Mirdi-i-Sikandori.
• According to historical accounts, one of Firuz's wives was a Hindu woman from a village near Thanesar, which was under the town's jurisdiction. Her brothers, Sadhu and Sadharan, who were influential locals, converted to Islam and served the Sultan. 
• Sadharan was granted the title of Wajh-ul-Malik by Firuz and later, one of his descendants established the Muslim dynasty in Gujarat. On Firuz's advice, the brothers became disciples of Kutb-ul-Aktab Hazrat Makdum-i-Jahanian, a Sufi saint whose place of origin is not specified. Firuz was known for his support of intellectuals and during his reign, Maulana Ahmad Thanesari, who hailed from Thanesar, composed Arabic hymns. 
• Abdul Hakk Dehlavi, a renowned poet during Jahangir's era, praised Maulana Ahmad Thanesari's exceptional talents and intellect.
• Firuz's reign was marked by public welfare activities, but there were also instances of religious persecution as documented in the Fatuhat-i-Firuzshdln. The Sultan made reference to the Hindus who gathered for worship in the newly constructed temple at Kohana (Gohana).
• Firuz Shah's reign, which saw several public welfare initiatives, was also marked by religious intolerance, as recorded in the Fatuhat-i-Firuzshahi. Upon learning about a group of Hindus gathering for worship at a new temple in Kohana (Gohana), the Sultan had them arrested and brought before him. 
• He then ordered that the leaders responsible for this act of rebellion should be publicly declared as guilty, and sentenced them to death before the palace gate. Additionally, he commanded that all the pagan texts, statues, and other objects used in their worship, which were found with them, be burned publicly. These orders were enforced with severe threats and punishments, as a warning to others.
• As per the records of Bihamad Khani, popular uprisings erupted in Hisar and Safidon due to the Sultan's oppressive actions, which were brutally suppressed. The people of Mewat, led by Sambar Pal (later known as Bahadur Nadir), were forcefully converted to Islam. However, despite their conversion, they continued to resist against the Delhi Sultanate's various military and administrative measures.

Succession and Political Turmoil after Firuz Tughlaq's Death

• After Firuz Tughlaq's death on September 21, 1388, his grandson Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq succeeded him as the Sultan of Delhi. However, this arrangement was not accepted by Firuz's uncle, Sultan Muhammad. 
• As a result, a strong force led by Malik Firoz Ali and Bahadur Nadir was sent to pursue Muhammad in the Sirmur Hills in September-October 1388, but they were unable to capture him. Muhammad eventually took refuge in the fort of Nagarkot. Ghiyasuddin was succeeded in 1389 by Abu Bakr Shah, but his reign was short-lived.
• Bahadur Nadir, the ruler of Kotla, fought against Sultan Muhammad several times on behalf of Abu Bakr but was ultimately defeated. After Muhammad's death, the ensuing chaos provided an opportunity for Nadir to pursue his own ambitious designs. 
• He supported Muqarrab Khan, another claimant to the throne, against the next ruler Nasiruddin Mahmud, and was appointed in charge of the old fort of Delhi. However, when Taimur invaded, Nadir retreated to Kotla and monitored the political situation in Delhi. Taimur respected Nadir's friendship and sent envoys for negotiations instead of attacking his territory.
• During Nasiruddin Mahmud's reign, the Governor of Dipalpur, Sarang Khan, launched an attack on Delhi but was defeated by the governor of Panipat, Tatar Khan. Sarang Khan was forced to retreat back to Multan after this loss. The areas of Indri and Karnal were then combined into a single iqta and placed under the control of Khawas Khan. Meanwhile, Nasiruddin Nusrat Shah was responsible for administering shows such as Sonipat, Panipat, Jhajjar, and Rohtak.

By the end of the fourteenth century, Haryana was in a state of complete disorder, as a result of the political machinations of the Sultans and their followers. This led to the contraction of the Tughlaq empire, which was once vast, to only a few miles around Delhi. A poet of the time aptly remarked, "Hukum Khuddhand Alam Aj Dilli ta Palam," which translates to "The Sultan's power is reduced to only a few miles around Delhi."