The Battle of Jhain, or the siege of Jhain, was a military expedition carried out by the Delhi Sultanate under Jalal-ud-din Khalji against the Rajput kingdom of the Chahamanas of Ranastambhapura. It commenced in 1291, and the Sultanate forces defeated the Rajput forces under Gurdan Saini and captured the city of Jhain.

Battle of Jhain
DateMarch 1291
Location25°53′27″N 76°28′56″E / 25.89077°N 76.48234°E / 25.89077; 76.48234
Result Delhi Sultanate victory
Territorial
changes
Jhain captured by Delhi Sultanate
Belligerents
Delhi Sultanate Chahamanas of Ranastambhapura
Commanders and leaders
Jalaluddin Khalji Gurdan Saini 
Strength
1,000 10,000
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown
Jhain is located in India
Jhain
Jhain
Jhain is located in Rajasthan
Jhain
Jhain
Jhain (Rajasthan)

Some sources say that the army of the Delhi Sultanate consisted of about 1,000 men, while the Rajput forces had 10,000.[1] Most of the Rajputs, including their leader, Gurdan Saini, were killed in the battle.[2][3] Jalaluddin Khalji marched through Jhain after the victory of the battle. The remaining Rajputs in Jhain evacuated the fort and retreated.[4]

Background and aftermath edit

Jalal-ud-din Khalji became ruler of the Delhi Sultanate in 1290. He captured the Mandawar fort in 1291 after defeating the Rajputs.[5] After the victory at Mandawar, he marched towards Ranthambore to capture it from the Chahamanas. Hammiradeva, the ruler of the Chahamanas of Ranastambhapura, sent his general Gurdan Saini to resist the invasion. Gurdan Saini took 10,000 Rawats from Jhain and marched towards the Sultanate army.[6]

Jalaluddin dispatched an army of 1,000, consisting of Malik Khurram, Malik Qutlagh Tighin, Azam Mubarak, Amir Narnul, Ahmad Sarjandar, Mahmud Sarjandar, and Abaji Akhurbeg.[4] The Sultanate army defeated the Rajputs, and Gurdan Saini was killed in the battle. After facing high casualties, Rajputs in Jhain evacuated the fort and retreated.[7][4] Jalaluddin entered Jhain and continued his march towards Ranthambore.[8]

References edit

  1. ^ Elliot, H. M.; Dowson, John (2023-03-05). The History of India: Vol. 3. BoD – Books on Demand. p. 541. ISBN 978-3-382-12561-5.
  2. ^ Ahluwalia, Manjit Singh (1970). Studies in Medieval Rajasthan History. Aligarh. p. 20.
  3. ^ Srivastava, Ashok Kumar (1990). Disintegration of North Indian Hindu States, C. 1175-1320 A.D. Purvanchal Prakashan. p. 136.
  4. ^ a b c Lal, Kishori Saran (1967). History of the Khaljis, A.D. 1290-1320. Asia Publishing House. p. 34.
  5. ^ Haq, Syed Moinul (1956). A Short History of the Sultanate of Delhi. H. M. Said. p. 95.
  6. ^ Jackson, Peter (2003-10-16). The Delhi Sultanate: A Political and Military History. Cambridge University Press. p. 132. ISBN 978-0-521-54329-3.
  7. ^ Calcutta Review. University of Calcutta. 1955. p. 244.
  8. ^ A Comprehensive History of India: The Delhi Sultanat (A.D. 1206-1526), ed. by Mohammad Habib and Khaliq Ahmad Nizami. People's Publishing House. 1970. pp. 318–319.