Mongol invasions of India
Also called: Mongol invasions of the Delhi Sultanate · Topic: Turkic Invasions and the Delhi Sultanate · NCERT: Class 8, Ch 2 "Reshaping India's Political Map"
Meaning
These were repeated attacks on north-west India in the 13th and 14th centuries. They were made by Mongol armies from Central Asia. At the time, the Mongol Empire covered most of Asia, so the threat was serious. The Mongols raided Punjab and even reached Delhi. Defending against them forced the Delhi sultans to keep large armies and build forts.
Example
Alauddin Khilji pushed back several Mongol invasions around the turn of the 14th century. In c. 1303, a Mongol army camped outside Delhi. Afterwards, Alauddin built the fortified city of Siri to protect his capital.
Don't confuse with
- Timur's invasion: Timur was a Turkic-Mongol conqueror who sacked Delhi at the end of the 14th century, long after the Khilji-era attacks. His invasion was one destructive raid, not part of this series.
Related concepts
- Khilji dynasty
- Jalaluddin Khalji
- Alauddin Khalji
- Siri Fort
- Hauz Khas
- Alai Darwaza
- Market reforms of Alauddin Khalji
- Diwan-i-Riyasat
- Shahna-i-Mandi
- Dagh and chehra