Military Expansion of the Delhi Sultanate

Timeline

1. 1296–1300Delhi · IndiaAla al-Din Khalji became sultan in 1296 after murdering his predecessor Jalal al-Din Firuz, then reformed the military system, implemented land tax reforms, and expanded the standing army. By around 1300, rebellions across North India were suppressed, and central authority and military mobilization capacity were significantly strengthened.
2. 1301–1303Rajput regions · RajasthanAround 1301, Sultan Khalji led his army against the Rajput states. The decisive victory in the 1303 siege of Chittor dealt a heavy blow to Rajput resistance. This campaign consolidated the Sultanate's control over the Rajput regions and became a famous narrative of resistance and conquest in Indian historiography.
3. 1306–1310Deccan Plateau · IndiaWith North India stabilized, Khalji turned his military focus southward. Between 1306 and 1310, Sultanate armies launched several expeditions into the Deccan, striking Hindu kingdoms such as the Yadavas and Kakatiyas and demanding massive tribute. This southern campaign paved the way for larger-scale operations such as the 1311 expedition against Devagiri.