![]() Jalal-ud-din Khilji sat on the throne at a ripe old age of seventy years and the weaknesses of his old age affected his attitudes and activities. He lost interest in battles, became extremely liberal and tolerant and thus adopted a pacific policy. Neither his behaviour nor his ambitions were worthy of a sultan. He did not act according to the circumstances which proved to be a major reason that led to his murder. Jalal-ud-din carried on his generosity to the extreme. He pardoned not only those who revolted against him but also the thags and the robbers. He exhibited his weakness of temperament and action in matters of foreign policy as well. Jalal-ud-din Khilji was the first Sultan who tried to reconciliate even those who opposed him. He had been a successful general and had successfully repulsed many Mongol invasions prior to his becoming the Sultan. But after his coronation, he left the policy of war and conquest. His behaviour was most liberal even with his enemies and instead of terrorising them he tried to win over their sympathies. Jalal-ud-din Khilji was not a coward but his policy of peace and kindness was so pursued to the extreme that it became his weakness which was not in the interest of the state. His generosity was appreciable as a person but as a Sultan it created misgivings about his capabilities among his nobles. His reluctance to war and bloodshed lowered down the prestige of the Delhi Sultanate. Jalal-ud-din was certainly a religious, kind hearted and pious person but as a Sultan he failed. He was repeatedly warned by his loyal nobles but he fell into the trap laid down by Ala-ud-din Khilji and was finally put to death. However inconsequential his reign was, but being the founder of the Khilji dynasty, the rule of Jalal-ud-din Khilji has found an important place in history. |