Q. With reference to Indian history, consider the following statements:
- The first Mongol invasion of India happened during the reign of Jalal-ud-din Khalji.
- During the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, one Mongol assault marched up to Delhi and besieged the city.
- Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq temporarily lost portions of north-west of his kingdom to Mongols.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2022)
Answer:
2 only
Notes: The correct answer is
[B] 2 only. The Mongol invasions were a recurring threat during the Delhi Sultanate, peaking in intensity during the Khalji and Tughlaq periods.
- Statement 1 (Incorrect): The first Mongol invasion of India occurred much earlier, during the reign of Iltutmish (Slave Dynasty) in 1221, when Genghis Khan reached the Indus chasing Jalal-ud-din Mangabarni. During Jalal-ud-din Khalji's reign (1292), a major invasion led by Abdullah did occur, but it was far from the "first."
- Statement 2 (Correct): During Ala-ud-din Khalji's reign, Mongol invasions became frequent and reached the heart of the Sultanate. In 1303, a Mongol army led by Targhi marched up to Delhi and besieged the city. This prompted Ala-ud-din to strengthen his military reforms and construct the Siri Fort.
- Statement 3 (Incorrect): While Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq faced a Mongol invasion led by Tarmashirin (c. 1327), historical accounts (including those of Barani and Ibn Battuta) indicate he defeated them or induced them to retreat (some sources suggest he paid them off). He did not "lose" northwest territories to them; in fact, he later planned a "Khurasan Expedition" to mobilize against Mongol territories.
The Mongol threat eventually subsided as the Delhi Sultans moved from a defensive posture under the early Mamluks to an aggressive, fortification-based strategy under Ala-ud-din Khalji.