Jalal-ud-din Khalji (1290-1296)

 Jalal-ud-din Khalji (1290-1296; died 19 July 1296) was the founder and first Sultan of the Khalji dynasty. Originally named Firuz, Jalal-ud-din started his career as an officer of the Mamluk dynasty, and rose to an important position under Sultan Muizzuddin Qaiqabad. After Qaiqabad was paralyzed, a group of nobles appointed his infant son Shamsuddin Kayumars as the new Sultan, and tried to kill Jalal-ud-din. Instead, Jalal-ud-din had them killed, and became the regent. A few months later, he deposed Kayumars, and became the new Sultan. He adopted a soft policy towards his opponents and mild-mannered, humble and kind monarch. During the first year of his reign, he ruled from Kilokhri to avoid confrontations with the old Turkic nobles of the imperial capital Delhi. Several nobles considered him as a weak ruler, and unsuccessfully attempted to overthrow him at different times. He meted out lenient punishments to the rebels.

He defeated the rebellion of Balban's nephew Malik Chajju Kashli Khan and captured him. However Chajju was pardoned despite objections by Jalal-ud-din's nephew Ahmad Chhap. Sometime after Chajju's revolt, the Mongols invaded the north-west frontier of the Delhi Sultanate. The skirmishes ended with advantage for the Delhi forces, and the Mongols agreed to retreat. 

After deposing Malik Chajju, Jalal-ud-din appointed his nephew Ali Gurshasp as the governor of Kara.  At Kara, the former supporters of Malik Chajju instigated him to overthrow Jalal-ud-din. Ali Gurshasp heard of the wealth of King Ram Chandra, the King of Devgiri. He wanted to get all this wealth. So, in 1294, he attacked on Devgiri and defeated the king, Ram Chandra. He brought a lot of wealth from Devgiri. The advisers of the King Jalal-ud-Din Khilji tried to impress upon him that Ali Gurshasp had his eye on the throne and timely action should be taken against him. The King did not agree to them.

Disregarding the warnings of his advisers, he went to welcome his son-in-law Ali Gurshasp in Kara, who was returning after capturing Devgiri. When Jalal-ud-Din Khilji embraced Ali Gurshasp, the latter gave a signal to one of his men,Muhammad Salim, who gave two sword-blows to the King. Jalal-ud-Din Khilji tried to escape, but in vain. Another man of Ali Gurshasp cut the head of the King from his body. Other men of the King were also killed. The head of Jalal-ud-Din Khilji was put on a spear and paraded through the provinces of Kara, Manikpur and Avadh.

Ali raised the royal canopy over his head, and proclaimed himself the new Sultan as Alauddin Khalji on 19/20 July 1296.

Silver Tanka from Dehli

Obv: Al sultan al azam jalal al dunya wal din abul muzaffar firuz shah al sultan

Rev: al imam al Mustasim  al mu minin ,Margin : mint and date

Wt : : 11.10 grams

Dia: 24 mm

Ref: D197

Overlay added

Billion jital (bilingual)

Obv:   Al-Sultan Al-Azim Jalal Al-Dunya Wa Al-Deen (The Sultan, the greatest one, the glory of the world and of the faith)

Rev: Inside central square (in Arabic): Firuz Shah. In margin (in Nagari): Sri Sultan Jalaludin

Wt : 3.3 gm

Dia: 18 mm

Ref: D200

Copper Paika

Obv: Al-Sultan al az’am

Rev: Jalal Al Dunya Wa'l din

Wt : 4.30 gm

Ref: D202