Mongol Invasions During the Reign of Alauddin Khalji: The Role of Zafar Khan
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Abstract
Mongols had been a constant problem for the Sultans of Delhi. During Alauddin Khalji’s reign, there were in all six major invasions. The Sultan took strong action against them. His brae general, Zafar Khan, who had become a terror for them gave strong resistance to them. While fighting with them at Kili, Zafar Khan lost his life. This brave general displayed great sense of loyalty for the Sultan as well as for his country by rejecting a greater rank offered by the Mongol general in his country.
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References
Firishta, Gulshan-i Ibrahimi, tr. John Briggs, in Four Vols. See Vol.I, Delhi: New Price Publication (Vol. I & II bound in One), reprint 2006,
p.184; Barani, Tarikh-i Firuz Shahi, ed. Syed Ahmad, Aligarh: Sir Syed Academy, Aligarh Muslim University, 2005, p.250. Barani has not given
the strength of the Mongol army in figures. The name of the Mongol commander is also missing in his account. While Isami has given
detailed description of Mongol invasions during the reign of Alauddin Khalji, he omitted this invasion at all. Amir Khusrau in his Khazainul
Futuh mentions the name of Mongol commander during this invasion. See Mohammad Habib, The Campaigns of Alauddin Khaji (tr. of
Khazainul Futuh), Bombay: D.B. Taraporewala, Sons & Co., 1931, p.23.
Barani has not given any exact figure of the Mongols killed in this battle. He states that ‘a large number of Mongols were killed and their heads were dispatched to Delhi; Barani, p.250. Amir Khusrau has given the number as 20,000 while Firishta has recorded their number as 12,000, Mohammad Habib, The Campaigns of Alauddin Khalji (tr. of Khazainul Futuh), Bombay: D.B. Taraporewala, Sons & Co., 1931, pp.23-4; Amir Khusrau gives the name of the place of battle as Jaran Manjur; Firishta, Vol.I, p.184.
Barani has not given the name of Saldi’s brother. Barani, p.253; Isami says the other person’s name was Biloch. See Isami, Futuh-us Salatin,
Translation and Commentary; Vol.II, ed. Agha Mahdi Husain, Bombay; Asia Publishing House, 1976, p.421.
Barani, pp.253-4, Barani’s statement that Alauddin Khalji became jealous of Zafar Khan’s bravery in Siwistan against the Mongols seems
doubtful because Zafar Khan was placed in a frontal position against the Mongols which suggests great trust of Alauddin Khalji for him.
‘Tuman’ means 10,000, see F. Steingass, A Comprehensive PersianEnglish Dictionary, New Delhi: Oriental Books Reprint Corporation,
, p.325; Barani, p.254. The figure of Qutugh Khwaja’s army is given by Barani at other place as one lakh, see Barani, p.256.
Ibid., p.254.
Isami, Vol.II, pp.428-30.
Ibid., p.430; Barani, p.255.
Barani, pp.255-9.
Barani, p.259; Isami, Vol.II, pp.430-1.
He was a brother of Dawa Khan, Isami, Vol.II, pp.426 (fn.2), 431.
Isami, Vol.II, 430-1.
Ibid., p.435.
Barani, p.260; Isami, Vol.II, pp.434-9.
Isami, Vol.II, p.438.
Barani, pp.260-1.
Ibid., p.261; Isami, Vol.II, p.440.
Barani, p.261.