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{{Short description|General of Delhi Sultanate}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox military person
| name = Malik Kāfūr
| death_date = February 1316
| death_place = [[Delhi]]
| resting_place =
| allegiance = [[Delhi Sultanate]]
| other_name = Tāj al-Dīn 'Izz al-Dawla, Malik Nā'ib, Hazār-Dīnārī, al-Alfī{{sfn|S. Digby|1990|p=419}}
| rank = ''[[Nawab|Na'ib]]'' ([[viceroy]])
| battles = {{plainlist|
* [[Mongol invasion of India, 1306|Mongol invasion]] (1306)
* [[Alauddin Khalji's conquest of Devagiri|Siege of Devagiri]] (1308)
* [[Siege of Warangal, 1310|Siege of Warangal]] (1310)
* [[Siege of Dwarasamudra]] (1311)
* [[Malik Kafur's invasion of the Pandya kingdom|Pandya kingdom raids]] (1311)
}}
}}
'''Malik Kafur''' (died February 1316), also known as '''Taj al-Din Izz al-Dawla''', was a prominent general of the [[Delhi Sultanate]] ruler [[Alauddin Khalji]]. He was captured by Alauddin's general [[Nusrat Khan Jalesari|Nusrat Khan]] during the [[Alauddin Khalji's conquest of Gujarat|1299 invasion of Gujarat]], and rose to prominence around 1305.

As a commander of Alauddin's forces, Kafur defeated the [[Mongol invasion of India, 1306|Mongol invaders in 1306]]. Subsequently, he led a series of expeditions in the southern part of India, against the [[Alauddin Khalji's conquest of Devagiri|Yadavas]] (1308), the [[Siege of Warangal, 1310|Kakatiyas]] (1310), the [[Siege of Dwarasamudra|Hoysalas]] (1311), and the [[Malik Kafur's invasion of the Pandya kingdom|Pandyas]] (1311). From these campaigns, he brought back many treasures, and many elephants and horses for the Delhi Sultanate.

From 1313 to 1315, Kafur served as Alauddin's governor of [[Devagiri]]. When Alauddin fell seriously ill in 1315, Kafur was recalled to Delhi, where he exercised power as ''[[Nawab|Na'ib]]'' ([[viceroy]]). After Alauddin's death, he tried to usurp control by appointing Alauddin's minor son, [[Shihab-ud-din Omar|Shihabuddin Omar]], as a [[puppet monarch]]. Kafur's [[regency]] lasted for about a month, before he was assassinated by Alauddin's former bodyguards. Alauddin's elder son, [[Qutb ud din Mubarak Shah|Mubarak Shah]], succeeded him as regent, and usurped power shortly afterward.

== Early life and career ==
Malik Naib Kafur Hazar Dinari was a slave, seized by Nusrat Khan, the wazir of Ala-ud-din Muhammad Shah Khilji, from a merchant at Cambay, during the conquest of Gujarat in 1299. He was called Hazar Dinari (al-Alfi) since he was purchased by his owner for 1000 dinars.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-04-22 |title=Ala-ud-din's Relationship with Malik Kafur |url=https://www.notesonindianhistory.com/2018/04/ala-ud-dins-relationship-with-malik.html |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=www.notesonindianhistory.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Kafur was captured from the port city of Khambhat by Alauddin's general [[Nusrat Khan Jalesari|Nusrat Khan]], during the [[Alauddin Khalji's conquest of Gujarat|1299 invasion of Gujarat]],{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=86}} and converted to [[Islam]].{{sfn|Wendy Doniger|2009|p=420}} Nusrat Khan presented him to Alauddin in Delhi.{{sfn|S. Digby|1990|p=419}}<ref name="Commissariat3">{{cite book|author1=Mānekshāh Sorābshāh Commissariat|title=A History of Gujarat: Including a Survey of Its Chief Architectural Monuments and Inscriptions, Volume 1|date=1938|publisher=Longmans, Green, and co.|page=3}}</ref> Nothing is known about Kafur's early career in Alauddin's service.{{sfn|Peter Jackson|2003|p=175}} According to [[Isami (historian)|Isami]], Alauddin favoured Kafur because "his counsel had always proved appropriate and fit for the occasion".{{sfn|Abraham Eraly|2015|pp=178-179}} Kafur rose rapidly, mainly because of his proven ability as a wise counsellor and military commander.{{sfn|Abraham Eraly|2015|p=177-8}} By 1306, Kafur held the rank of ''barbeg'',{{sfn|Peter Jackson|2003|p=175}} used to designate a [[chamberlain (office)|chamberlain]] who also served as a military commander.{{sfn|Iqtidar Alam Khan|2008|p=28}} By 1309–1310, he held the [[iqta']] (administrative grant) of Rapri.{{sfn|Peter Jackson|2003|p=175}}

== Military career ==
[[File:Delhi Sultanate under Khalji dynasty - based on A Historical Atlas of South Asia.svg|thumb|[[Khalji dynasty|Khalji]] territory (''dark green'') after annexation of the Sevuna (Yadava) kingdom of Devagiri, showing capital Delhi (''star'') and territories of the Khalji tributaries (''light green'')]]
In 1306, Alauddin sent an army led by Kafur to the [[Punjab]] to repulse a [[Mongol invasion of India, 1306|Mongol invasion]] by the [[Chagatai Khanate]].{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=171}}{{sfn|S. Digby|1990|p=419}} The Mongol army had advanced to the [[Ravi River]], ransacking the territories along the way. This army included three contingents, led by Kopek, Iqbalmand, and Tai-Bu.{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|pp=171-172}} Kafur routed the Mongol army, with support from other commanders, including [[Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq|Malik Tughluq]].{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=172}} Kafur was known by this time as Na'ib-i Barbak ("assistant master of ceremonies"). This may be the origin of his name Malik Na'ib, although some historians believe this relates instead to his later, and more important, role of Na'ib-i Sultan.{{sfn|S. Digby|1990|p=419}}

The 16th-century chronicler [[`Abd al-Qadir Bada'uni]] also credits Kafur with leading Alauddin's army in the [[Battle of Amroha|1305 Battle of Amroha]]. This claim, however, is based on the erroneous identification of another officer, called Malik Nayak ({{aka}} Malik Nanak), with Malik Kafur.{{sfn|Peter Jackson|2003|p=227}}{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=168}}

Kafur was then sent to the [[Deccan Plateau]], as the commander of a series of great military raids that laid the foundations of Muslim power in that region.{{sfn|S. Digby|1990|p=419}} In 1307,{{sfn|S. Digby|1990|p=419}} Alauddin decided to invade the [[Yadavas of Devagiri|Yadava]] kingdom of [[Devagiri]], whose king, [[Ramachandra of Devagiri|Ramachandra]], had discontinued [[tribute]] payments to Delhi for three or four years.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=400}} Alauddin had originally intended to select another slave to lead this invasion: Malik Shahin, who was the governor of [[Chittor Fort]]. But Malik Shahin had fled, fearing a [[Vaghela dynasty|Vaghela]] resurgence in the neighbouring territory of [[Gujarat]]. Alauddin appointed Kafur instead.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=401}}

Alauddin took measures to raise Kafur above all other officers. The royal canopy and the royal pavilion were sent with Kafur, and the officers were directed to pay their respects to Kafur daily and to take their orders from him.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=401}} Kafur easily [[Alauddin Khalji's conquest of Devagiri|subjugated the Yadavas]]. Along with rich spoils, Kafur brought Ramachandra back to Delhi, where the Yadava king acknowledged Alauddin's [[suzerainty]].{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=192}}{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|pp=401-402}}{{sfn|S. Digby|1990|p=419}}

In 1309, Alauddin sent Kafur on an expedition to the [[Kakatiya]] kingdom.{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=194}} Kafur's army reached the Kakatiya capital, [[Warangal]], in January 1310, and breached its outer fort after [[Siege of Warangal, 1310|a month-long siege]].{{sfn|S. Digby|1990|p=419}}{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|pp=408-410}} The Kakatiya ruler, [[Prataparudra]], surrendered and agreed to pay tribute. Kafur returned to Delhi in June 1310 with a huge amount of wealth obtained from the defeated king.{{sfn|S. Digby|1990|p=419}}{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|pp=408-410}} The [[Koh-i-Noor]] diamond was said to be among the loot.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=410}}{{sfn|Hermann Kulke|Dietmar Rothermund|1998|p=160}} Alauddin was very pleased with Kafur, and rewarded him generously.{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=200}}

In Warangal, Kafur had learned that the southernmost regions of India were also very wealthy. He obtained Alauddin's permission to lead an expedition there.{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=201}} The expedition set off on 19 October 1310, and reached the extremity of peninsular India.{{sfn|S. Digby|1990|p=419}} On 25 February 1311,{{sfn|S. Digby|1990|p=419}} Kafur [[Siege of Dwarasamudra|besieged Dwarasamudra]], the [[Hoysala empire|Hoysala]] capital, with 10,000 soldiers.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=412-414}} The Hoysala king, [[Veera Ballala III|Ballala]], surrendered vast wealth as part of a truce negotiation, and agreed to pay an annual tribute to the Delhi Sultanate.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|pp=413-414}} From [[Dwarasamudra]], Kafur proceeded to the [[Pandya kingdom]], where he [[Malik Kafur's invasion of the Pandya kingdom|raided several places]], obtaining much treasure, elephants and horses.{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=213}}{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=417}} Kafur occupied [[Madurai]] on 24 April, and reached [[Delhi]] in triumph on 18 October 1311.{{sfn|S. Digby|1990|p=419}}

At court, Kafur seems to have excited the enmity of a faction led by Mahru, Alauddin's second wife; Khizr Khan, his eldest son by her; and [[Alp Khan]], Mahru's brother, who was also Khizr Khan's father-in-law and the governor of Gujarat.{{sfn|S. Digby|1990|p=419}}{{sfn|Abraham Eraly|2015|p=177}} In 1313, probably at his own request,{{sfn|S. Digby|1990|p=419}}{{sfn|Abraham Eraly|2015|p=177}} Kafur led another expedition to Devagiri, when Ramachandra's successor Singhana (or Shankaradeva) refused to continue the tribute payments. Kafur subdued him, and annexed Devagiri to the Delhi Sultanate. Kafur remained in Devagiri as governor of the newly annexed territory for two years, until he was urgently summoned to Delhi when Alauddin's health began deteriorating.{{sfn|Shanti Sadiq Ali|1996|p=38}}{{sfn|S. Digby|1990|p=419}} He had administered the territory with sympathy and efficiency.{{sfn|Shanti Sadiq Ali|1996|p=38}}

== <span id="As the viceroy"></span>As viceroy ==
Kafur ultimately rose to the position of ''[[Nawab|Na'ib]]'' ([[viceroy]]),{{sfn|Iqtidar Alam Khan|2008|p=84}} although the date of his appointment to this position is not known.{{sfn|Peter Jackson|2003|p=175}} In 1315, when Alauddin fell seriously ill, Kafur was recalled from Devagiri to Delhi.{{sfn|Shanti Sadiq Ali|1996|p=38}} Kafur handed over charge of Devagiri to [[Ayn al-Mulk Multani]].{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=426}}

During Alauddin's last days, Kafur held the executive power.{{sfn|Iqtidar Alam Khan|2008|p=84}} During this period, Alauddin became very distrustful of his other officers, and started concentrating power in the hands of his family and his slaves. He removed several experienced administrators, abolished the office of ''[[vizier|wazir]]'' (prime minister), and even executed the minister Sharaf Qa'ini. It appears that Kafur, who considered these officers his rivals and a threat, convinced Alauddin to carry out this purge.{{sfn|Peter Jackson|2003|p=176}} Alauddin had greater trust in Kafur than other officers because, unlike the other officers, Kafur had no family or followers.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=421a|ps=:"...since Kafur, unlike all other officers, had no family or followers, the Sultan had a greater trust in him."}} According to Isami, during the final days of Alauddin's reign, Kafur allowed no one to see the sultan, and became de facto ruler of the Sultanate.{{sfn|Abraham Eraly|2015|p=177-8}}

=== Relationship with Alauddin ===
Kafur had been captured by [[Khalji dynasty|Khalji]] forces in 1299, and had caught the fancy of Alauddin.{{sfn|Shanti Sadiq Ali|1996|p=35a|ps=:"As a young slave he was snatched away [...] by Nusrat Khan, one of Alauddin's generals, in the year 1299. Malik Kafur, an attractive man, then caught the fancy of the Sultan."}} A deep emotional bond developed between the two.{{sfn|Shanti Sadiq Ali|1996|p=35}} During his reign (even before his illness), Alauddin was infatuated with Kafur, distinguishing him above all his other friends and helpers, and Kafur held the highest place in his esteem.{{sfn|Abraham Eraly|2015|p=177a|ps=:"...Ala-ud-din, according to Barani, ‘was infatuated with Malik Kafur, and made him the commander of his army and vizier. He distinguished him above all his other helpers and friends, and this eunuch and minion held the chief place in his regards.’"}} Regarding the time when Alauddin was ill, the chronicler [[Ziauddin Barani]] (1285–1357) states:{{sfn|R. Vanita|S. Kidwai|2000|p=132}}

{{quote|
text=In those four or five years when the Sultan was losing his memory and his senses, he had fallen deeply and madly in love with the Malik Naib. He had entrusted the responsibility of the government and the control of the servants to this useless, ungrateful, ingratiate, [[sodomy|sodomite]].
|author=Barani
}}

Based on Barani's description, several scholars including [[Ruth Vanita]] and [[Saleem Kidwai]] among others believe that Alauddin and Kafur were in a homosexual relationship.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Judith E. Walsh|title=A Brief History of India|date=2006|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=1438108257|page=[https://archive.org/details/briefhistoryofin0000wals/page/71 71]|url=https://archive.org/details/briefhistoryofin0000wals/page/71}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author1=Nilanjan Sarkar|title=Forbidden Privileges and History-Writing in Medieval India|journal=The Medieval History Journal|date=2013|volume=16|issue=1|pages=33–4, 48, 55}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|author1=Gugler TK|title=Politics of Pleasure: Setting South Asia Straight|journal=South Asia Chronicle|date=2011|volume=1|pages=355–392}}</ref> Historian [[Banarsi Prasad Saxena|Banarsi Prasad Saksena]] states that Alauddin was infatuated with Kafur during the last years of his reign, but believes that the closeness between the two was not sexual.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=421|ps=:"During the last four or five years of his reign, Alauddin was infatuated with Malik Naib... There was no element of homosexuality in Alauddin's character; and though Kafur was a eunuch, there was nothing wrong in Alauddin's relations with Kafur, apart from the fact that since Kafur, unlike all other officers, had no family or followers, the Sultan had a greater trust in him."}}

=== Murder of Alp Khan ===
Kafur's hold on power was threatened by [[Alp Khan]], an influential noble whose two daughters were married to Alauddin's sons, Khizr Khan (the [[heir apparent]]) and Shadi Khan. Kafur convinced Alauddin to order the killing of Alp Khan in the royal palace.{{sfn|Peter Jackson|2003|p=176}} He also had Khizr Khan first banished from court to [[Amroha]], and then imprisoned in Gwalior, and had Khizr's brother Shadi Khan imprisoned. According to stories that circulated as far as Persia, Khizr Khan, his mother and Alp Khan had hatched a conspiracy to poison Alauddin, so that Khizr Khan could be appointed as the new Sultan, but Alauddin was able to execute them all before he died. This story was corroborated to some extent by Ibn Battuta. The story may just have been Kafur's propaganda.{{sfn|Peter Jackson|2003|p=176}}

Next, Kafur convened a meeting of important officers at Alauddin's bedside. At this meeting, Alauddin's six-year-old son [[Shihab-ud-din Omar|Shihabuddin]] was declared the new heir apparent, and it was decided that Kafur would act as his [[regent]] after Alauddin's death. According to Isami, Alauddin was too weak to speak during the meeting, but his silence was taken as consent.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=425}}

The officers supportive of Kafur included [[Kamal al-Din Gurg|Kamal al-Din "Gurg"]], whose family came from [[Kabul]]. It appears that Kafur and other officers of non-Turkic origin allied to counter the [[Khalaj people|Khalaj]] establishment of the Sultanate.{{sfn|Peter Jackson|2003|p=177}}

== As regent ==
[[File:The last act of Malik Naib Kafur, A.D. 1316.jpg|thumb|''The last act of Malik Naib Kafur, 1316 CE.'', 20th century [[artist's impression]]]]
When Alauddin died, on the night of 4 January 1316, Kafur brought his body from the [[Siri Fort|Siri Palace]] and had it buried in the mausoleum that had been built before Alauddin's death.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=425}} Barani claims that, according to "some people", Kafur murdered Alauddin.{{sfn|R. Vanita|S. Kidwai|2000|p=132}}

The day after Alauddin's death, Kafur convened a meeting of important officers and nobles in the palace. There, he read out a will of the late sultan that named Shihabuddin as his successor while disinheriting Khizr Khan, and then seated Shihabuddin on the throne as the new Sultan.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=425}}{{sfn|Abraham Eraly|2015|p=177-8}} As regent, Kafur held power for a short time—35 days, according to Barani; 1 month, according to Isami; and 25 days, according to the 16th-century historian [[Firishta]].{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=428}}{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=322}} During this period, he held a daily ceremonial court in the morning at the [[Siri Fort#Structure|Hazar Sutun Palace]]. After the short ceremony, Kafur would send Shihabuddin to his mother, and dismiss the courtiers. He would then meet the officers in his chambers on the ground floor, and issue various orders. He ordered the ministries of revenue, secretariat, war, and commerce to maintain the laws and regulations established by Alauddin.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|pp=425-426}} The officers of the ministries were asked to consult Kafur on all policy matters.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=426}}

Kafur took several actions to maintain his control over the throne. Before burying Alauddin, he had taken the royal ring from the Sultan's finger. He gave this ring to his general, Sumbul, and asked him to march to [[Gwalior Fort|Gwalior]] and take control of the fort, using the ring as a symbol of royal authority. He asked Sumbul to send the fort's governor to Delhi, and ordered Sumbul to return to Delhi after blinding Khizr Khan, who had been imprisoned in Gwalior.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=425}} Sumbul carried out these orders, and was appointed ''Amir-i Hijab''(Commander of the Faithful) as a reward.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=425}} On his first day as regent, Kafur also ordered his barber to blind Khizr Khan's [[Sibling#Half|uterine brother]] Shadi Khan.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=426}} This incident intensified resentment of Kafur among the Turkic nobles.{{sfn|Abraham Eraly|2015|p=177-8}} Kafur deprived Alauddin's senior queen, who bore the title [[Malika-i-Jahan (wife of Alauddin Khalji)|''Malika-i Jahan'']], of all her property, and later imprisoned her at Gwalior fort. He also imprisoned [[Qutb ud din Mubarak Shah|Mubarak Shah]], another adult son of Alauddin. According to Firishta, Kafur married Alauddin's widow Jhatyapalli, the mother of Shihabuddin. Becoming the new Sultan's step-father was probably Kafur's way of legitimizing his power.{{sfn|S. Digby|1990|p=419}}{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=426}}

Alp Khan's murder had led to a rebellion in Gujarat, and Kafur had sent [[Kamal al-Din Gurg|Kamal al-Din "Gurg"]] to suppress it.{{sfn|Iqtidar Alam Khan|2008|p=85}} Meanwhile, Kafur summoned the [[Devagiri]] governor, [[Ayn al-Mulk Multani]], to Delhi with all his soldiers.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=426}} While Multani was on his way, Kamal al-Din was killed in Gujarat.{{sfn|I. H. Siddiqui|1980|p=105}} Kafur then appointed Multani as governor of Gujarat, and asked him to march there to suppress the rebellion. The rebellion could be suppressed only after Kafur's death.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=426}}

== Death ==
Alauddin's former bodyguards (''paiks'') disapproved of Kafur's actions against the family of their deceased master. Led by Mubashshir, Bashir, Saleh, and Munir, these bodyguards decided to kill Kafur. When Kafur became suspicious of a conspiracy against him, he summoned Mubashshir to his room. Mubashshir, who had been permitted to carry arms in the royal quarters since Alauddin's day, wounded Kafur with his sword. His associates then entered the room and beheaded Kafur, also killing two or three gatekeepers who had attempted to protect him.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=427}} This event took place sometime in February 1316.{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=322}}

According to an account cited by the 16th-century chronicler Firishta, Kafur had sent some ''paiks'' to blind Mubarak Shah, but the captive prince gave them his jeweled necklace and convinced them to kill Kafur instead.{{sfn|Kishori Saran Lal|1950|p=321}} Another legend attributes Kafur's death to his mother's prayers to the mystic Shaikhzada Jam. These accounts are latter-day fabrications. According to Barani's near-contemporary account, the ''paiks'' decided to kill Kafur on their own initiative.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|pp=428-429}}

Kafur's killers freed Mubarak Shah, who was appointed as the new regent.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|pp=427-428}} A few months later, Mubarak Shah usurped control by blinding Shihabuddin.{{sfn|Abraham Eraly|2015|pp=178-179}} Kafur's killers claimed credit for making him king, and began demanding high positions in the royal court.{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=426}} Instead, Mubarak Shah had them executed.{{sfn|S. Digby|1990|p=419}}{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=426}}

The chronicler Barani was severely critical of Kafur. Historian [[Abraham Eraly]], however, believes that Barani's criticism of Kafur is not credible as Barani was deeply prejudiced against Kafur, presumably because of Kafur's non-[[Turkic people|Turkic]], Hindu origins and eunuch status.{{sfn|Abraham Eraly|2015|p=178|ps=:"Barani is severely critical of Kafur, but his excoriations are not quite credible, for he was deeply prejudiced against Malik Kafur, whom he invariably described as a 'wicked fellow', presumably because he was not a Turk but an Islamised Hindu and a eunuch."}}

=== Tomb ===
The location of Kafur's grave is unknown today. His [[mausoleum]] existed in the 14th century, when it was repaired by Sultan [[Firuz Shah Tughlaq]] (r. 1351–1388).{{sfn|Banarsi Prasad Saksena|1992|p=426}} Firuz Shah's autobiography ''Futuhat-i-Firuzshahi'' states:{{sfn|S. R. Bakshi|Suresh K. Sharma|1995|p=276}}

{{quote|Tomb of ''Malik'' ''Taj-ul-Mulk'' Kafur, the great ''wazir'' of Sultan Ala-ud-din. He was a most wise and intelligent minister, and acquired many countries, on which the horses of former sovereigns had never placed their hoofs, and he caused the ''[[Khutba]]'' of Sultan Ala-ud-din to be repeated there. He had 52,000 horsemen. His grave had been levelled with the ground, and his tomb laid low. I caused his tomb to be entirely renewed, for he was a devoted and faithful subject.}}

== Popular culture ==
In the 2018 [[Bollywood]] film ''[[Padmaavat]]'', Malik Kafur is portrayed by [[Jim Sarbh]].

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

=== Bibliography ===
{{ref begin}}
* {{cite book |author=Abraham Eraly |author-link=Abraham Eraly |title=The Age of Wrath: A History of the Delhi Sultanate |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vyEoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT178 |year=2015 |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-93-5118-658-8 |page=178 }}
* {{cite book |author=Banarsi Prasad Saksena |author-link=Banarsi Prasad Saksena |chapter=The Khaljis: Alauddin Khalji |editor=Mohammad Habib and Khaliq Ahmad Nizami |title=A Comprehensive History of India: The Delhi Sultanat (A.D. 1206-1526) |volume=5 |edition=Second |year=1992 |orig-year=1970 |publisher=The Indian History Congress / People's Publishing House |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_9cmAQAAMAAJ |oclc=31870180 }}
* {{cite book |author=Carole Boyce Davies |author-link=Carole Boyce Davies |title=Encyclopedia of the African diaspora: origins, experiences, and culture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=skEOAQAAMAAJ |year=2007 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-85109-700-5 }}
* {{cite book |author1=[[Hermann Kulke]]|author2=[[Dietmar Rothermund]]|title=A History of India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V0GEtXp-GsUC&pg=PA160 |year=1998 |publisher=Psychology Press |isbn=978-0-415-15482-6 }}
* {{cite book |author=I. H. Siddiqui |editor1=C. E. Bosworth |editor-link=Clifford Edmund Bosworth |editor2= E. van Donzel |editor3= Charles Pellat |editor3-link=Charles Pellat |title=The Encyclopaedia of Islam |edition=New |volume=Supplement |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=95Q3AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA105 |year=1980 |publisher=E. J. Brill |location=Leiden |isbn=90-04-06167-3 }}
* {{cite book |author=Iqtidar Alam Khan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iGSKTttoa3IC&pg=PR17 |title=Historical Dictionary of Medieval India |publisher=Scarecrow |year=2008 |isbn=9780810864016 }}
* {{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 |author1=R. Vanita |author2=S. Kidwai |title=Same-Sex Love in India: Readings in Indian Literature |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VbvIDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA132 |year=2000 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-1-137-05480-7 }}
* {{cite book |author=Romila Thapar |author-link=Romila Thapar |title=A History of India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Y02AiEu1kcC&pg=PT342 |year=1990 |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-0-14-194976-5 }}
* {{cite book |author=S. Digby |chapter=Kāfūr, Malik |editor1=E. Van Donzel |editor2=B. Lewis |editor3=Charles Pellat |title=Encyclopaedia of Islam |edition=2 |year=1990 |publisher=Brill |location=Vol. 4, Iran–Kha |isbn=90-04-05745-5 |page=419 }}
* {{cite book |editor1=S. R. Bakshi |editor2=Suresh K. Sharma |title=Delhi through ages |volume=1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8SFuAAAAMAAJ |year=1995 |publisher=Anmol |isbn=978-81-7488-138-0 }}
* {{cite book |author=Shanti Sadiq Ali |title=The African Dispersal in the Deccan: From Medieval to Modern Times |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-3CPc22nMqIC&pg=PA35 |year=1996 |publisher=Orient Blackswan |isbn=978-81-250-0485-1 }}
* {{cite book |author=Wendy Doniger |author-link=Wendy Doniger |title=The Hindus: An Alternative History |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aoiwqK8D_7AC&pg=PT420 |year=2009 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-1-101-02870-4 }}
{{ref end}}

{{Alauddin Khalji}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Alauddin Khalji]]
[[Category:Military history of India]]
[[Category:Converts to Islam from Hinduism]]
[[Category:Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:1316 deaths]]
[[Category:Generals of the Delhi Sultanate]]

Malik Kafur - Revision history

Glasierwellness at 04:58, 22 February 2026