MichaleYarbrough at 23:27, 19 March 2026

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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Siege of Jalore
| partof =
| image =
| caption =
| date = 1311 – 11 May 1311<ref name="n301">{{cite web | last=Misra | first=S. C. | title=The Rise of Muslim Power in Gujarat | url=https://ia601902.us.archive.org/15/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.111119/2015.111119.The-Rise-Of-Muslim-Power-In-Gujarat_text.pdf | access-date=2 December 2025 | page=213}}</ref>
| place = [[Jalore]]
| result = Khalji victory
| combatant1 = {{flag|Delhi Sultanate}}
| combatant2 = [[Chahamanas of Jalor]]
| commander1 = [[Alauddin Khalji]]<br />[[Kamal al-Din Gurg]]
| commander2 = [[Kanhadadeva]]{{KIA}}<br />[[Viramadeva]]{{KIA}}
}}
<mapframe text="Delhi and Jalore in present-day India" width="400" height="400" zoom="5" longitude="74.92" latitude="27.00">
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"type": "FeatureCollection",
"features": [
{
"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "[[Jalore]]" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [72.6253763, 25.344480] }
},
{
"type": "Feature",
"properties": { "marker-symbol": "monument", "title": "[[Delhi]]" },
"geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [77.2273958, 28.661898] }
}
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</mapframe>
In 1311 [[Delhi Sultanate]] ruler [[Alauddin Khalji]] dispatched an army to capture the [[Jalore Fort]] in present-day [[Rajasthan]], India. Jalore was ruled by the [[Chahamanas of Jalor|Chahamana]] ruler [[Kanhadadeva]], whose armies had earlier fought several skirmishes with the Delhi forces, especially since Alauddin's conquest of the neighboring [[Siege of Siwana|Siwana fort]].

Kanhadadeva's army achieved some initial successes against the invaders, but the Jalore fort ultimately fell to an army led by Alauddin's general [[Kamal al-Din Gurg|Malik Kamal al-Din]]. Kanhadadeva and his son [[Viramadeva]] were killed, thus ending the Chahamana dynasty of Jalore.

== Background ==

The kingdom of [[Jalore]] was ruled by a branch of the [[Chahamanas of Jalor|Chahamanas]]. In 1291-92 Alauddin's predecessor [[Jalal ud din Firuz Khalji|Jalaluddin Khalji]] invaded Jalore, but was forced to retreat after the [[Vaghela dynasty|Vaghelas]] came to the rescue of the Jalore king [[Samantasimha (Chahamana)|Samantasimha]].{{sfn|Ashok Kumar Srivastava|1979|p=36}}{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|p=159}}

From at least 1296–1305, Samantasimha's son and successor [[Kanhadadeva]] jointly ran the administration with his father.{{sfn|Ashok Kumar Srivastava|1979|p=36}}{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|p=159}} During this period, in 1299, Alauddin dispatched an army to Gujarat, and [[Alauddin Khalji's conquest of Gujarat|defeated the Vaghelas]]. During the army's return to Delhi, some of its soldiers staged an unsuccessful mutiny. The 17th-century chronicler [[Nainsi]] states that the Jalore army supported this mutiny,{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|p=161-162}} although this is doubtful.{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=136}}

=== Cause of invasion ===

The 16th-century chronicler [[Firishta]] claims that Kanhadadeva ("Nahar Deo") accepted Alauddin's suzerainty around 1305. Some years later Kanhadadeva heard Alauddin boasting that no Hindu ruler could challenge him. This rekindled Kanhadadeva's sense of pride, and he decided to attack Alauddin, resulting in an invasion of Jalore.{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=136}} This narrative is also repeated by 17th-century historian Hajiuddabir.{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=137}}

According to legends in [[Padmanābha]]'s ''[[Kanhadade Prabandha]]'' (15th century) and ''[[Nainsi ri Khyat]]'' (17th century), one of Alauddin's daughters fell in love with Kanhadadeva's son Virama.{{sfn|Romila Thapar|2005|p=125}}{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=137}} However, Virama did not want to marry a [[Turkic people|Turkic]] girl, which led to tensions between the two kingdoms, and ultimately resulted in Alauddin's invasion of Jalore.{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=137}}

According to K.S. Lal, these reasons of invasion given by Nainsi, Firishta and Hajiuddabir are not convincing. By 1310 Alauddin had subjugated the kingdoms surrounding Jalore, including [[Alauddin Khalji's conquest of Gujarat|Gujarat]], [[Alauddin Khalji's conquest of Malwa|Malwa]], [[Siege of Chittorgarh (1303)|Chittor]], [[Alauddin Khalji's conquest of Ranthambore|Ranthambore]] and [[Siege of Siwana|Siwana]]. It appears that he attacked Jalore simply because he wanted to put an end to Jalore's independent status.{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=137}}

== Initial skirmishes ==

Alauddin's courtier [[Amir Khusrau]] states that after conquering Siwana, Alauddin returned to Delhi, ordering his generals to subjugate other parts of the [[Marwar]] region. According to Jinaprabha Suri's ''[[Vividha Tirtha Kalpa]]'', the Delhi army desecrated a [[Mahavira]] temple at Satyapura (modern [[Sanchor]]) in 1310. The 15th-century epic romance ''[[Kanhadade Prabandha]]'', which presents Kanhadadeva as a hero, states that Alauddin's forces also captured and sacked [[Barmer, Rajasthan|Barmer]] and [[Bhinmal]]. At Bhinmal the invaders took away a large number of Brahmins as captives.{{sfn|Ashok Kumar Srivastava|1979|p=48}}

According to ''Kanhadadeva Prabandha'', these disturbances prompted Kanhadadeva to dispatch an army to counter the Delhi forces. This army was led by Devada chiefs Jaita and Mahipa, who were supported by three other generals: Lakhana Sevata (or Sebhata), Salha Sobhita and Ajayasi Molhana.{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|p=166}} Kanhadadeva's army defeated one of the Delhi contingents left behind by Alauddin and recovered the plunder that the invaders had obtained during their raids of Bhinmal, Satyapura and other places. After this victory, Jaita and Mahipa returned to Jalore with the war spoils. The three other generals remained near the battlefield with a portion of the army, and celebrated the new moon day (''[[Amavasya]]'') by taking their armor off and bathing in a river. During these celebrations they started beating a drum captured from the Delhi army. The drum was heard by Delhi Gen. Malik Naib, who was leading another contingent on a hunting expedition.{{sfn|Ashok Kumar Srivastava|1979|p=49}} Assuming that the drum beats were a summon for him, Malik Naib rushed to the battlefield.{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|p=166}} His army inflicted a crushing defeat upon Kanhadadeva's remaining forces. The ''Kanhadade Prabandha'' states that the defenders lost 4,000 soldiers, including the three generals, in this battle.{{sfn|Ashok Kumar Srivastava|1979|p=50}}

== Siege of Jalore ==

After the initial setbacks faced by the Delhi forces, Alauddin sent an army to launch a direct attack on Jalore.{{sfn|Ashok Kumar Srivastava|1979|p=50}} According to the ''Kanhadade Prabandha'', the Delhi forces made several attempts to breach the fort during the first seven days of the ensuing siege. However, these attacks were foiled by [[sortie]]s led by Kanhadadeva's brother Maladeva and his son [[Viramadeva]]. On the eighth day a severe thunderstorm forced the besiegers to retreat.{{sfn|Ashok Kumar Srivastava|1979|p=50}} The Jalore forces launched an eight-pronged attack on one of the retreating detachments at Moklana.{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|p=167}} The eight Jalore generals who led this attack were Maladeva, Viramadeva, Ananta Sisodia, Jaita Vaghela, Jaita Devada, Lunakarna Malhana, Jayamala and Sahajapala. The detachment's commander Shams Khan was captured along with his [[harem]], while the rest of his soldiers fled.{{sfn|Ashok Kumar Srivastava|1979|p=51}}

The 16th-century chronicler [[Firishta]] claims that the Delhi army was commanded by Alauddin's concubine Gul Bihisht. During the war she died after a short illness. After her death the army was led by her son Shahin, who was killed in a battle soon after his mother's death. Firishta's claim is dubious, as it is not found in any contemporary accounts. Moreover, it seems absurd that Alauddin appointed a concubine as the commander of his army or that his soldiers would accept this appointment.{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=137}} The story of Gul Bihisht appears to be a late invention, designed to cover up the disgraceful retreat of the Delhi army.{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|p=167}} Firishta also inaccurately dates the invasion of Jalore to 1308 instead of 1311.{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=138}}{{sfn|Peter Jackson|2003|p=198}}

=== Kamal al-Din's attack ===

Next, Alauddin dispatched a stronger army led by ''Malik'' [[Kamal al-Din Gurg]], one of his best generals. The ''Kanhadade Prabandha'' mentions that Kanhadadeva sent two contingents to check the advance of Kamal al-Din. One of these contingents was commanded by Maladeva and was stationed at Vadi. The other was led by Viramadeva and was stationed at [[Bhadrajun]]. The two contingents engaged the Delhi army on alternate days, leading to heavy losses on both sides. They managed to slow down the Delhi army but were unable to prevent Kamal al-Din's gradual advance towards Jalore.{{sfn|Ashok Kumar Srivastava|1979|p=51}} Ultimately, Kanhadadeva decided to recall both his contingents to Jalore for consultation. When Kamal al-Din got close to Jalore, Maladeva was sent to fight him while Viramadeva stayed behind to help his father prepare for the impending siege.{{sfn|Ashok Kumar Srivastava|1979|p=52}}

Kamal al-Din besieged the fort and tried to impose a blockade, most likely intending to starve the defenders. According to ''Kanhadade Prabandha'', this strategy was thwarted by timely rains and cooperation from money lenders (''mahajans'') who helped replenish the fort's stores. The text also suggests that Maladeva briefly harassed Kamal al-Din's forces, but an army dispatched by Alauddin forced Maladeva's forces to retreat to Vandara.{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|p=168}} Another Jalore contingent led by Lunakarna destroyed an enemy outpost at Udalapura, a suburb of Jalore, defeating ''Malik'' Nizamuddin.{{sfn|Ashok Kumar Srivastava|1979|p=52}}

The ''Kanhadade Prabandha'' as well as ''[[Nainsi ri Khyat]]'' attribute the fall of Jalore to treachery by a Dahiya Rajput named Bika. After the invaders promised to make Bika the new ruler of Jalore, he led them to an unfrequented and unprotected entrance to the fort.{{sfn|Ashok Kumar Srivastava|1979|p=52}} When Bika's wife Hiradevi learned about his betrayal, she killed him and reported the matter to Kanhadadeva. However, by this time the defenders were no longer in a position to achieve a victory. Consequently, the men of the fort prepared for a [[last stand]], and Kanhadadeva's son Viramadeva was crowned king. The women decided to die in ''[[jauhar]]'' (mass suicide by self-immolation). The ''Kanhadade Prabandha'' states that 1584 ''jauhar'' fires were lit in Jalore. Women of all castes died in this fire, including Kanhadadeva's queens Jaitalde, Bhavalde, Umade and Kamalade. The Delhi forces breached the fort, and thousands of Kanhadadeva's soldiers died in the ensuing fighting. Several of his ''[[samanta]]s'' (feudal chiefs) were also killed in the battle, including Kandhala, Kanha Uhcha, Jaita Devada, Lunakarna Malhana, Arjuna, and Jaita Vaghela.{{sfn|Ashok Kumar Srivastava|1979|p=53}}

According to the ''Kanhadade Prabandha'', after breaching the fort the invaders took five days to reach the temple of Kanhasvami inside it. When they threatened to destroy the temple, Kanhadadeva and the last 50 of his surviving soldiers died defending it. ''Nainsi ri Khyat'' suggests that many people believed that Kanhadadeva managed to survive and disappeared.{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|p=169}} His son Viramadeva is said to have died about three days after his coronation.{{sfn|Dasharatha Sharma|1959|p=169}}

== Aftermath ==

Alauddin commissioned a mosque on the fort premises to commemorate this victory.{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=138}} Jalore remained under Muslim rule well into the [[Tughluq dynasty|Tughluq era]].{{sfn|Peter Jackson|2003|p=198}} It was later captured by the Rathores of [[Marwar]].

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

=== Bibliography ===

{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |author=Ashok Kumar Srivastava |title=The Chahamanas of Jalor |publisher=Sahitya Sansar Prakashan |year=1979 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.547206 |oclc=12737199 }}
* {{cite book |author=Dasharatha Sharma |title=Early Chauhān Dynasties |publisher=S. Chand / Motilal Banarsidass |year=1959 |isbn=9780842606189 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n4gcAAAAMAAJ |oclc=3624414 }}
* {{cite book |author=Kishori Saran Lal |author-link=K. S. Lal |title=History of the Khaljis (1290-1320) |year=1950 |publisher=The Indian Press |location=Allahabad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2XXqAQAACAAJ |oclc=685167335 }}
* {{cite book |author=Peter Jackson |author-link=Peter Jackson (historian) |title=The Delhi Sultanate: A Political and Military History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lt2tqOpVRKgC&pg=PA221 |year=2003 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-54329-3 }}
* {{cite book |author=Romila Thapar |title=Somanatha: The Many Voices of a History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PnBMFaGMabYC&pg=PA121 |year=2005 |publisher=Verso |isbn=978-1-84467-020-8 }}
{{refend}}

{{Alauddin Khalji}}

[[Category:Alauddin Khalji]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Delhi Sultanate]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Rajputs]]
[[Category:Chahamanas of Jalor]]

Alauddin Khalji's conquest of Jalore - Revision history

MichaleYarbrough at 23:27, 19 March 2026