Jalaluddin Firoz Khalji: Founder of Khilji Dynasty

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Accession of Jalaluddin Firoz Khalji to the throne of Delhi Sultanate in AD 1290 resulted in the foundation of Khilji Dynasty which ruled till 1320. He became the first Khilji Sultan after murdering Slave Sultan Kaiqubad (grandson of Slave Sultan Balban) and deposing latter’s infant son Kayumars. With the rise of the Khiljis, the Turkish nobility began to lose their influence. 

His coronation was held in Kilokhari (Kilughari), a suburb of Delhi, not in the city, for the dominant Turkish population of Delhi considered him to be an Afghan usurper and consequently resented his accession to the throne.  

Jalaluddin Khilji was in his seventies at the time of his ascension. 

Lenient in his treatment of his opponents and fellow Muslims, Jalaluddin Khilji was averse to punishing even those who sought to overthrow him. When Balban’s nephew Malik Chajju, governor of Kara, unfurled the banner of revolt in the second year of Jalaluddin Khaljis reign, the sultan entertained him with wine and released him from prison where the latter had found himself after being defeated by the Delhi forces.  This behaviour of Jalaluddin Khilji did not go down well with the Khilji nobles. 

Jalaluddin Khilji was killed by his son-in-law and successor Alauddin Khilji in 1296. 


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