The Khilji dynasty (1290–1320 CE) extended its influence over Telangana between 1310 and 1320 CE, when Prataparudra II of the Kakatiya dynasty was compelled to accept vassalage. As the second ruling family of the Delhi Sultanate, the Khiljis were highly expansionist and militarily aggressive. Their southern campaigns repeatedly brought them into conflict with the Kakatiyas of Warangal, the most powerful Telugu kingdom of the time.
1310 CE: Alauddin Khilji’s general Malik Kafur invaded Warangal, forcing Prataparudra II to submit and pay tribute.
Warangal thus became a tributary state, though the Kakatiyas retained their throne.
After Alauddin’s death (1316 CE), the Khiljis weakened.
In 1318 CE, Prataparudra stopped paying tribute, asserting independence.
Finally, in 1320 CE, Khilji rule in Delhi ended when Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah was killed by Khusro Khan, paving the way for the Tughlaq dynasty.
Thus, the Khilji period in Telangana was marked by tribute, resistance, and renewed independence for the Kakatiyas.
His successor Alauddin Khilji (1296–1316 CE) expanded aggressively into the Deccan.
Southern expeditions were led by his famous general Malik Kafur, who reached Warangal, Madurai, and Dwarasamudra.
For Telangana:
The 1310 expedition of Malik Kafur targeted Warangal (capital of the Kakatiyas).
Warangal surrendered after siege → Prataparudra II accepted vassalage, agreed to send annual tribute (gold, elephants, diamonds).
Achievements: Conquered Gujarat, Ranthambore, Chittor; sent armies into the Deccan.
In Telangana: Forced Prataparudra II into vassalage after 1310.
Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah Khilji (1316–1320 CE)
Weaker ruler, failed to maintain Delhi’s southern hold.
During his reign, Prataparudra II stopped tribute (1318), effectively restoring Kakatiya independence.
Warangal remained under the Kakatiyas, but as a tributary kingdom.
Annual tribute: elephants, jewels, and wealth.
Delhi stationed envoys to monitor loyalty, but no permanent Khilji governor was placed in Warangal.
Tribute payments drained Kakatiya resources, but Warangal’s wealth from agriculture, diamond mines, and textile trade enabled resilience.
Ports like Motupalli (Andhra coast) facilitated foreign trade with Southeast Asia.
Tribute obligations increased taxation on peasants, causing hardship.
Despite Khilji raids, Kakatiya administrative and social structures remained intact until 1323.
Kakatiya art (temples, inscriptions, literature) continued.
Warangal fortifications, temples (like Swayambhu temple), and irrigation tanks remained active symbols of Kakatiya heritage.
Regional powers: Prataparudra II maintained ties with Hoysalas and Kampili kingdom to balance northern threats.
Warangal was one of the richest and best-fortified capitals in South India.
Alauddin’s 1310 victory established Delhi’s influence but only briefly.
Legacy: Prataparudra’s defiance (1318) symbolized Telugu resistance.
Set stage for the final Tughlaq conquest (1323), which ended the Kakatiyas.
1316 CE – Death of Alauddin Khilji → instability in Delhi.
1318 CE – Prataparudra stops sending tribute, declares independence.
1320 CE – Last Khilji ruler (Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah) murdered by Khusro Khan; dynasty ends.
Inscriptions:
Telugu inscriptions of this period show continuation of Kakatiya genealogy.
Some note the strain of tribute obligations to Delhi.
The Tughlaq dynasty (1320 CE onwards) soon targeted Warangal.
By 1323 CE, Ulugh Khan (Muhammad bin Tughluq) conquered Warangal, ending Kakatiya sovereignty.
Summary (1310–1320 CE, Telangana under Khiljis):
Warangal forced into vassalage after Malik Kafur’s campaign (1310).
Prataparudra II remained ruler but paid tribute to Delhi.
In 1318, after Khilji power weakened, he stopped tribute, regaining independence.
Khilji dynasty collapsed in Delhi in 1320, replaced by the Tughlaqs, who soon launched the final conquest of Warangal (1323).
1310 CE: Alauddin Khilji’s general Malik Kafur invaded Warangal, forcing Prataparudra II to submit and pay tribute.
Warangal thus became a tributary state, though the Kakatiyas retained their throne.
After Alauddin’s death (1316 CE), the Khiljis weakened.
In 1318 CE, Prataparudra stopped paying tribute, asserting independence.
Finally, in 1320 CE, Khilji rule in Delhi ended when Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah was killed by Khusro Khan, paving the way for the Tughlaq dynasty.
Thus, the Khilji period in Telangana was marked by tribute, resistance, and renewed independence for the Kakatiyas.
1. Origins and Rise
Jalaluddin Khilji (1290–1296 CE) founded the dynasty in Delhi.His successor Alauddin Khilji (1296–1316 CE) expanded aggressively into the Deccan.
Southern expeditions were led by his famous general Malik Kafur, who reached Warangal, Madurai, and Dwarasamudra.
For Telangana:
The 1310 expedition of Malik Kafur targeted Warangal (capital of the Kakatiyas).
Warangal surrendered after siege → Prataparudra II accepted vassalage, agreed to send annual tribute (gold, elephants, diamonds).
2. Rulers
Jalaluddin Khilji (1290–1296 CE)
Founded the dynasty in Delhi.
Alauddin Khilji (1296–1316 CE)
Title: Sikandar-i-Sani (“Second Alexander”).Achievements: Conquered Gujarat, Ranthambore, Chittor; sent armies into the Deccan.
In Telangana: Forced Prataparudra II into vassalage after 1310.
Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah Khilji (1316–1320 CE)
Weaker ruler, failed to maintain Delhi’s southern hold.
During his reign, Prataparudra II stopped tribute (1318), effectively restoring Kakatiya independence.
3. Administration in Telangana
The Khiljis did not annex Telangana directly.Warangal remained under the Kakatiyas, but as a tributary kingdom.
Annual tribute: elephants, jewels, and wealth.
Delhi stationed envoys to monitor loyalty, but no permanent Khilji governor was placed in Warangal.
4. Economy and Trade
Warangal remained prosperous during this period.Tribute payments drained Kakatiya resources, but Warangal’s wealth from agriculture, diamond mines, and textile trade enabled resilience.
Ports like Motupalli (Andhra coast) facilitated foreign trade with Southeast Asia.
5. Society
Local Telugu society continued under Kakatiya rule.Tribute obligations increased taxation on peasants, causing hardship.
Despite Khilji raids, Kakatiya administrative and social structures remained intact until 1323.
6. Art and Culture
No Khilji cultural monuments in Telangana.Kakatiya art (temples, inscriptions, literature) continued.
Warangal fortifications, temples (like Swayambhu temple), and irrigation tanks remained active symbols of Kakatiya heritage.
7. Foreign Relations
Kakatiyas & Delhi Sultanate (Khiljis): Relations marked by conflict, submission, tribute, then rebellion.Regional powers: Prataparudra II maintained ties with Hoysalas and Kampili kingdom to balance northern threats.
8. Achievements and Legacy
The Khilji period highlighted Telangana’s strategic importance:Warangal was one of the richest and best-fortified capitals in South India.
Alauddin’s 1310 victory established Delhi’s influence but only briefly.
Legacy: Prataparudra’s defiance (1318) symbolized Telugu resistance.
Set stage for the final Tughlaq conquest (1323), which ended the Kakatiyas.
9. Chronology, Dating, and Inscriptions
1310 CE – Malik Kafur’s expedition; Prataparudra submits, Warangal pays tribute.1316 CE – Death of Alauddin Khilji → instability in Delhi.
1318 CE – Prataparudra stops sending tribute, declares independence.
1320 CE – Last Khilji ruler (Qutbuddin Mubarak Shah) murdered by Khusro Khan; dynasty ends.
Inscriptions:
Telugu inscriptions of this period show continuation of Kakatiya genealogy.
Some note the strain of tribute obligations to Delhi.
10. Successor States / Vassals
After 1318 CE, Warangal was independent again for a short time under Prataparudra II.The Tughlaq dynasty (1320 CE onwards) soon targeted Warangal.
By 1323 CE, Ulugh Khan (Muhammad bin Tughluq) conquered Warangal, ending Kakatiya sovereignty.
Summary (1310–1320 CE, Telangana under Khiljis):
Warangal forced into vassalage after Malik Kafur’s campaign (1310).
Prataparudra II remained ruler but paid tribute to Delhi.
In 1318, after Khilji power weakened, he stopped tribute, regaining independence.
Khilji dynasty collapsed in Delhi in 1320, replaced by the Tughlaqs, who soon launched the final conquest of Warangal (1323).
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