Khalji Revolution

Khalji Revolution
Jalaluddin enthroned as Sultan of Delhi
Date 1 February—13 June 1290 Location Delhi Sultanate Result Khalji faction victory
Belligerents
Khalji faction	Mamluk dynasty Turkic faction
Commanders and leaders
Jalaluddin Khalji Alauddin Khalji Ikhtiyaruddin (WIA)	Muiz ud din Qaiqabad  Shamsuddin Kayumars X Aitmar Surkah † Aitmar Kachhan †

The Khalji Revolution,^[1] alternatively spelled the Khilji Revolution,^[2] marked a military coup and a period of political and societal transformation in the Delhi Sultanate. It unfolded following the death of the Mamluk sultan Balban and the subsequent incapacity of his successors to effectively govern the Delhi Sultanate. The upheaval commenced and concluded in 1290 when Jalaluddin Khalji seized absolute power, defeating the Turkic nobility and toppling the Mamluks, inaugurating the rule of the Khalji dynasty.

After Balban's death, his underage grandson Qaiqabad ascended the throne. A poor governor, Qaiqabad later fell ill and became paralyzed, leading to the succession of his son, Shamsuddin Kayumars. Amidst this upheaval, two factions arose within the Mamluk court, with the Turkic faction led by Aitmar Surkah facing off against the Khalji faction, led by Jalaluddin Khalji.

Conflict erupted between the factions, culminating in the Khaljis kidnapping Shamsuddin, the child sultan. A battle ensued, resulting in the defeat of the Turks. Following their defeat, a significant portion of the Turkic nobility defected to the Khalji faction. With the child sultan under his control and Qaiqabad nearing death, Jalaluddin assumed the roles of regent and wazir, ultimately consolidating power and deposing Shamsuddin in June 1290.

The success of the revolution witnessed the Khalji dynasty replacing the Mamluk dynasty as the ruling dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. Jalaluddin's reign lasted six years until his assassination by his nephew, Alauddin Khalji. The revolution signaled the end of Turkic hegemony over the nobility of the Delhi Sultanate, and began the rise of Turko-Afghans.