Jalaluddin Firuz Khilji (Urdu: جلال الدین فیروز خلجی) (died 20 July 1296) was the first sultan of the Khilji dynasty, who reigned from 1290 to 1296. He built his capital at Kilughari, a few miles from the city of Delhi and completed the unfinished palace and gardens of Sultan Qaiqabad.[1]) He ruled from there for six years.[2]
Jalal-ud-Din Firuz Khilji's original name is Malik Firuz.[1] He was appointed by Sultan Qaiqabad to the fief of Baran and the command of the army. Soon, Sultan Qaiqabad suffered from a paralytic stroke and Firuz marched towards Delhi. The nobles placed Kayumars, the three years old son of Qaiqabad on the throne. But the sons of Firuz dashed into the city and carried away the infant Sultan, defeating a force sent in pursuit of them. Most of the Turkic nobles now submitted to Firuz. Qaiqabad was put to death and his corpse was thrown into the Yamuna. On 13 July 1290 Jalal-ud-Din Firuz was enthroned in the palace of Kalughari.[3]
After the accession to the throne, Jalal-ud-Din Firuz allowed Malik Chhajju, the nephew of Balban to retain his fiefdom of Kara-Manikpur. The post of wazir was conferred on Khvaja Khatir, who had held it under Balban and Qaiqabad. Fakhr-ud-Din, the kotwal of Delhi was also allowed to continue. Firuz's eldest son received the title of Khan Khanan, his second son received the title of Arkali Khan and his third son received the title of Qadr Khan. He appointed his younger brother the ariz-i-mumalik (army minister) and conferred upon him the title of Yaghrush Khan. His two nephews, Alauddin and Almas Beg received significant responsibilities in the royal household and his relation Malik Ahmad Chap was appointed deputy master of ceremonies.[1]
In 1292, a horde of more than 100,000 Mongols invaded India. Successes in battle and smart negotiation caused a partial retreat on the part of the Mongols. They rose again five years later when his nephew and son-in-law Ala ud din Khilji was on the throne.
Ala-ud-din was also responsible for a successful raid in to Deccan as Governor of Kara under his uncle, the king, Jalal-ud-din. While Ala-ud-din was returning from there with the spoils of victory, Jalal-ud-din hurried to Kara to meet him. He was murdered by his nephew, Ala ud din Khilji when he arrived. Ala ud din Khilji went on to become the greatest ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.
| Preceded by Kayumars |
Sultan of Delhi 1290–1296 |
Succeeded by Ala ud din Khilji |
| New dynasty | Khilji dynasty 1290–1296 |