[Solved] Mongol Invasions of India | Delhi Sultanate History

Mongol Invasions of India | Delhi Sultanate History

The first Mongol invasion occurred under Iltutmish, not Jalal-uddin Khalji. Alauddin Khalji successfully defended a siege of Delhi by the Mongols, whereas Muhammad bin Tughlaq managed the threat through ransoms rather than territorial loss.

Primary Reference: NCERT Class VII - Our Pasts II

Archived: 2022

Updated: 23 Apr 2026

With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:
1. The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-uddin Khalji.
2. During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
3. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[UPSC CSE Prelims 2022]

Detailed Solution & Historical Context

Concept

The Delhi Sultanate faced persistent threats from the Mongol Khanates. Successive Sultans adopted different strategies, ranging from diplomacy (Iltutmish) to aggressive military fortification (Alauddin Khalji) and negotiation/ransom (MBT).

Authentic Source Evidence

Standard historical accounts verify that the Mongols first reached the Indus in 1221 during Iltutmish’s reign. Alauddin Khalji famously defended Delhi against Targhi’s siege at Siri. MBT did not lose territory but paid a large ransom to Tarmashirin to avoid destruction.

Analytical Breakdown

Logic 1: Statement 1 is false. The first major encounter was under Iltutmish when he refused asylum to Jalal-uddin Mangabarni to avoid Genghis Khan's wrath.

Logic 2: Statement 2 is true. In 1303, a Mongol army under Targhi besieged Delhi, forcing Alauddin to take shelter in the Siri fort.

Logic 3: Statement 3 is false. While Tarmashirin reached Delhi in 1327, MBT bribed him to retreat; no northwest territory was permanently ceded.

Conceptual Deep Dive & Logic

"How did the Mongol threat influence Alauddin Khalji's domestic policies?"

It necessitated a large standing army, leading to strict market reforms and price controls to sustain the military without draining the treasury.

Examiner's Mindset & Pro-Tip

"The Sultanate's survival depended on its ability to balance military mobilization with diplomatic ransoms during Mongol incursions."

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