![]() The first Mongol invasion took place in 1297-98 A.D. only a time after Ala-ud-din's accession on the throne. Dava Khan of Transoxiana sent an army of one lakh Mongols under the command of Kadar. They entered Punjab and started plundering nearby places of Lahore. Ala-ud-din sent an army under Ulugh Khan which defeated the Mongols. While nearly twenty thousand Mongols were killed in the battle, many Mongol officers were taken prisoners who were killed afterwards and their captured women and children were taken to Delhi as slaves. In 1299 A.D., the Mongols attacked again under the command of Saldi, brother of Dava Khan, and captured Sivistan (Sehwan). Ala-ud-din sent Zafar Khan against the Mongols who recaptured Sivistan and imprisoned a large number of Mongols. This surprising victory of Zafar Khan invoked the jealousy both of the Sultan and his brother Ulugh Khan and the success in Multan and Gujarat was eclipsed by the achievement of Zafar Khan. The Sultan even desired to kill Zafar Khan. Towards the close of 1299 A.D., Dava Khan sent a strong army under the command of his son to avenge the disgrace and death of Saldi. This time the Mongol did not mean to plunder but conquest. They avoided fighting till they reached the neighbourhood of Delhi. At that time, Ala-ud-din rose equal to the occasion and gave proof of being a courageous commander. The Mongols had firm determination to fight against Ala-ud-din. Therefore, Ala-ud-din decided to give them a battle even against the counsel of Ala-ul-mulk who advised him to wait and avoid the risk of a battle. He assembled all his high officers of the army and attacked the left wing of the Mongols. Zafar Khan was killed in the combat but the Mongols had tested the strength of the army of Ala-ud-din. They had to withdraw thirty kilometres back from Delhi and then returned to their country. ![]() The Mongols attacked again in 1305 A.D. under the command of Tartaq. Targi also joined them in the way. The strong Mongols could reach up to Amroha where it met the army of the Sultan under the command of Malik Kafur. The royal army completely defeated the Mongols on December 1305 A.D. Targi had died earlier in a battle and Ali Beg and Tartaq were taken captives. They were brought to Delhi where they were killed. In 1306 A.D., the Mongols attacked again to take revenge of Ali Beg and Tartaq. One of their strong force, under the command of Kubak, reached the banks of the Ravi River while other one, under the command of Iqbalmand reached to Nagaur. Ala-ud-din had again sent Ghazi Malik and Malik Kafur to repulse the invaders. They first met Kubak and defeated and imprisoned him. Fifty thousand of Mongols were imprisoned and brought to Delhi where males were trampled under the feet of elephants and a tower of skulls was constructed in front of the Badaon Gate while the women and children were sold as slaves. Last Mongol invasion took place in 1307-8 A.D. Thus, most fierce invasions of the Mongols took place during reign of Ala-ud-din Khilji. Yet, he succeeded in defeating the Mongols. Therefore, the Mongols did not dare to attack India during last years of his reign. The aggressive policies of the Sultan and his able commanders broke up the capacity of the Mongols to invade India. |