Alauddin Khalji was Jalaluddin’s ambitious
nephew and son-in-law. He had helped his uncle
in his struggle for power and was appointed as
Amir-i-Tuzuk (Master of Ceremonies). Alauddin
had two victorious expeditions during the reign
of Jalaluddin. After the first expedition of Bhilsa
(Vidisa) in AD 1292, he was given the iqta of
Awadh, in addition to that of Kara. He was also
appointed Arizi-i-Mumalik (Minister of War). In
AD 1294, he led the first Turkish expedition to
southern India and plundered Devagiri. The
successful expedition proved that Alauddin was
an able military commander and efficient
organiser. In July AD 1296, he murdered his
uncle and father-in-law Jalaluddin Khalji and
crowned himself as the Sultan.
Alauddin decided to revive Balban’s policies
of ruthless governance. He decided to curb the
powers of the nobles and interference of Ulema
in the matters of the state.
He also faced, a few
rebellions in succession during the early years of
his rule. According to Barani, the author of
Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi, Alauddin felt that there
were four reasons for these rebellions: 1) The
inefficiency of the spy system, 2) the general
practice of the use of wine, 3) Social intercourse
among the nobles and inter marriage between
them and 4) the excess of wealth in the
possession of certain nobles.
