Bakhtiyar Khilji : Early Life, Role & Nalanda Controversy

Bakhtiyar Khilji is believed to have been born in the early 12th century in Central Asia. Unfortunately, historical records about his early life are scarce. While the details of Khilji’s early life are elusive, historical accounts suggest that he underwent rigorous military training, developing the strategic acumen and martial prowess that would later define his conquests. In this blog, we will delve into the details of this military general who later became an important ruler in the Bengal region of India.

Overview of Bakhtiyar Khilji

Ikhtiyar al-Din Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji was born in the year c. 1140 at Garmsir in Helmand province of Afghanistan. He was a Turko-Afghan military general of the Gurid ruler Muhammad of Ghor. Later, he founded the Khalji Sultanate of Bengal and ruled it.

Basically, his origin is from the Turkic region, and was a member of the Khalaj Tribe and spoke the language of Khalaj. They were called Kalaje, which in India later became Khalji or Khilji. Here is an Overview of :

Overview of Bakhtiyar Khilji
Born	c. 1140, Garmsir, Afghanistan
Military leader	Ghurid Empire
Conquests	Bengal and Bihar (1202-1203)
Established	Sultanate of Bengal (1203)
Capital	Devkot (present-day Dhaka)
Controversies	Destroyed Nalanda University, Brutal Tactics
Death	1206, Devkot

 Arrival in the Indian Subcontinent

It is believed he came to the Indian Subcontinent in search of employment in Delhi and Ghazni, but since he was of short height, he got rejected. However, in this search, he went to Badaun, present-day Uttar Pradesh, where is was taken into the service of Ghurid governor Hizabrudin Hasan Adib. 

Incorporation into the Delhi Sultanate: Khilji’s entry into the Indian subcontinent transpired in the early 13th century, during the reign of Ghurid ruler Muhammad Ghori, who defeated Prithviraj Chauhan. Initially serving as a military commander under the Delhi Sultanate, Khilji gradually ascended the ranks.

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Military Role in India

Bakhtiyar Khilji’s military career in India is majorly characterised by brutal tactics for invasion and the continued destruction of architecture. 

Capture of Bihar (1200)

In 1200, Bakhtiyar Khilji orchestrated a significant military feat by capturing Bihar. This conquest marked the commencement of his territorial influence and set the stage for further expansions. In this conquest, he destroyed universities like Odantapuri, Vikarmshila University and Nalanda University. He also sacked many Buddhist Monastries which were chronicled by Minhaj-i-Siraj in “Tabaqat-i-Nasiri”.

Conquest of Bengal (1203):

The zenith of Khilji’s military achievements occurred in 1203 with the conquest of Bengal. This triumph solidified his standing as a potent force in the region and expanded the sway of the Delhi Sultanate.

During the time of invasion, the powerful Sena Dynasty was in a state of decline and Lakshmana Sena was the ruler of the Bengal Region. It is believed that Khilji surprisingly attacked the city of Nabadwip with only 18 horsemen from his army and proceeded so fast that it came as a surprise to the Sena Dynasty. The Sena ruler being unprepared had to flee from the scene. Later, Khilji captured the capital city of Gauda of Bengal and formed the Dynasty of Bengal.

It was because of the large amount of loot and successful conquests, that he was also honoured by Qutubuddin Aibak.

Islam’s Expansion

Khilji’s campaigns played a role in the geographical expansion of Islam across the Indian subcontinent. His conquests resulted in the establishment of Muslim rule in regions of Bihar and Bengal.

The Tibet Attack (1206)

In his military conquest, he attacked Tibet, as it was a major source for the supply of horses and trade with Bengal. But he suffered a shameful and disastrous defeat at the Chumbi Valley from the Tibetan guerilla forces. 

Death of Bakhtiyar Khilji

It was from the defeat at the hands of Tibetan forces that he was depressed and was resting in Devkot. Being in a state of exhaustion and illness, one of his main generals taking advantage found him bedridden. Ali Mardan Khilji was the general and stabbed Khilji until he died in the year c. 1206.

Also Read – Prithviraj Chauhan Biography

Controversies of Bakhtiyar Khilji

Among the controversial aspects of Khilji’s legacy is the alleged destruction of the Nalanda University. While historical accounts differ, some sources attribute the demise of this renowned seat of learning to Khilji’s military campaigns.

The legacy of Bakhtiyar Khilji remains subject to ongoing historical debates. Scholars continue to scrutinize and reinterpret available sources and strive to provide a comprehensive understanding of this complex and intriguing historical figure.

Bakhtiyar Khilji Belongs to Which Dynasty?

Bakhtyar Khilji did not belong to a royal dynasty. He was a part of the Khilji tribe( a tribe of Turkic-Afghan origin). He worked under the Ghurid Empire as a military commander. He gained prominence after his conquest of Bengal in 1203 AD. Thereafter, he established the Khilji rule in Bengal independently. His regime was the beginning of muslim rule in India. After a few decades, another branch of the Khilji tribe rose to power under Alauddin Khilji. Thus, the e Khilji Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate ad formed.

Are Bakhtiyar Khilji and Alauddin Khilji the Same?

No. Bakhtiyar Khilji and Alauddin Khilji are two different people. While Bakhtiyar Khilji ruled in the 13th century, Alauddin Khilji ruled the Delhi Sultanate (1296–1316 AD). Although both belonged to the Khilji trib, they lived decades apart. The territories they held, their careers, and their impacts were different. The table below explains the differences between the two leaders.

Features	Bakhtiyar Khilji	Alauddin Khilji
Period	Early 13th century (around 1200–1206 CE)	Late 13th to early 14th century (1296–1316)
Role	Military commander and conqueror of Bengal	Sultan of Delhi, ruler of the Delhi Sultanate
Dynasty	Belonged to the Khilji tribe, no formal dynasty	Founder of the Khilji Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate
Major Achievement	Conquered Bengal and started Muslim rule there	Expanded Delhi Sultanate, military reforms, and economic policies
Relation	No direct family relation to Alauddin	No direct family relation to Bakhtiyar
Impact	Introduced Islamic rule in Bengal	Consolidated power in North India, strong central government
Famous Campaigns	Bengal conquest, failed Tibet expedition	Defended Delhi from Mongols, expanded territory across India

Bakhtiyar Khilji, with his mysterious origins and impactful conquests, occupies a distinctive place in the narrative of medieval Indian history. Shrouded in mystery, this ruler has the legacy of erecting madrasas, mosques, and khanqahs while minting coins in his rule. His successor was Muhammad Shiran Khalji, who further took the position as a military general ruler. 

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