The Alauddin Khalji's invasion of Mithila was a military campaign conducted by Alauddin Khalji of the Khalji dynasty against the Karnat dynasty of Mithila, led by Shaktisimharadeva, in 1297-98 C.E in present-day Northern Bihar. In a series of four battles, Alauddin Khilji was defeated twice by Shaktisimhadeva but managed to temporarily capture the King in the third battle however the King became free later by the time final battle happened according to Mulla Taqia. Subsequently, Shaktisimharadeva was temporarily appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Delhi Sultanate army, leading campaigns against Hammiradeva due to him losing in the third battle. Additionally, the Karnats offered financial support to the Khaljis during this period however the people of Mithila remained independent in their final struggle against Alauddin.[1][2][3]

Alauddin Khalji's invasion of Mithila

Khilji's expansion into Mithila halted
Date1297-1298CE
Location
Mithila, Bihar
Result Karnat Dynasty victory
Belligerents
Khilji Sultanate Karnat Dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Alauddin Khalji Shaktisimhadeva
Vireshvara Thakur
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

Background

After annexing most of Western India, Alauddin set his site to the Eastwards and he finally moved to Mithila where him and his army were met with Shaktisimhadeva of the Karnat Dynasty of Mithila whose ancestor was Ramasimhadeva who himself countered Delhi and Bengal invasions by defeating Bakhtiyar Khalji.[4] Shaktisimhadeva's main strength was in his Maithil Brahmin Commander,[5] Vireshvara Thakur who himself was the father of Chandeshvara Thakur.[6]

Battles

Following the majority of his conquests, Alauddin Khalji eventually encountered Northern Bihar in the Mithila region. There he was immediately confronted by Shaktisimhadeva and Vireshvara Thakur, successors to Ramasimhadeva's rule. Four battles occurred between them with reports from Mulla Taqia indicating that Alauddin Khalji suffered defeat twice in the first two skirmishes at the hands of Karnat King and his commander from Mithila. However, Khalji gained an upper hand during the third battle annexing certain regions where he sent his commander, Seikh Ismail to capture the King[7] but this proved short lived as Shaktisimhadeva and Vireshvara Thakur regained those territories against Alauddin's strength when they became independent in their final verdict - all according to accounts provided by Mulla Taqia himself.[8]

First Battle

First battle of Maqbara
Date1297CE
Location
Maqbara
Result Karnat Dynasty victory
Belligerents
Khilji Sultanate Karnat Dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Alauddin Khalji Shaktisimhadeva
Vireshvara Thakur
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

Second Battle

Second battle of Maqbara
Date1297CE
Location
Maqbara
Result Karnat Dynasty victory
Belligerents
Khilji Sultanate Karnat Dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Alauddin Khalji Shaktisimhadeva
Vireshvara Thakur
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

Third Battle

First battle of Sakuri
Date1298CE
Location
Sakuri
Result Khilji Sultanate victory
Belligerents
Khilji Sultanate Karnat Dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Alauddin Khalji Shaktisimhadeva (POW)
Vireshvara Thakur
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

During the third battle that occurred in 698 A.H (1298 C.E), the Maithil King was apprehended. According to Mulla Taqia's narrative, the Khalji's loss near Maqbara (Darbhanga) was significant. Nonetheless, The King's detainment turned out to be only temporary.[9]

Fourth Battle

Second battle of Sakuri
Date1298CE
Location
Sakuri
Result

Karnat Dynasty victory

  • Mithila becomes independent
Belligerents
Khilji Sultanate Karnat Dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Alauddin Khalji Shaktisimhadeva
Vireshvara Thakur
Strength
Unknown Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown

Amir Khusrav records that Alauddin Khalji proceeded to the Bihar garden after his victory in Karra, with an intention of staining the soil there red like a tulip with blood. According to Mulla Taqia and the prevailing Mithila tradition advocating for independence, it is justifiable to conclude that Tirhut (Mithila) triumphed by all measures in safeguarding its autonomous position against Alauddin's imperial power. Amongst numerous other states at the time, Tirhut (Mithila) was able to maintain its freedom from Alauddin's rule.[10]

Aftermath

Following the successful opposition of Alauddin Khalji's military influence by Shaktisimhadeva and Vireshvara Thakur, soon the downfall of the Khalji dynasty happened. After the arrest of Mithila king Shaktisimhadeva, He was appointed as the commander-in-chief of Allaudin's army against his enemies. His imprisonment was short-lived, He and his commander Vireshvara were able to gain independence again and maintained alliance with the Alauddin Khalji.[11] The Tughlaq regime subsequently took over with Chandeshvara Thakur, son of Vireshvara Thakur serving as commander for the Karnat Dynasty later. While attempting to rescue people in the Nepal region from hostile Tughlaq generals; he had some skirmishes but ultimately succeeded against them. During this era, King Harisimhadeva ascended to power after Shaktisimhadeva passed away as his successor.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Sashkena, Prashad (1992). A Comprehensive History of India: The Delhi Sultanat (A.D. 1206-1526), ed. by Mohammad Habib and Khaliq Ahmad Nizami. Vol. V. p. 326.
  2. ↑ Radhakrishna Choudhary (1970). History Of Muslim Rule In Tirhut. pp. 44–45.
  3. ↑ Radhakrishna Choudhary (1970). History Of Muslim Rule In Tirhut. p. 46.
  4. ↑ Thakur, Upendra (1956). History of Mithila (Circa 3000BC-1556AD).
  5. ↑ Narayan Simha, C.P. (1979). Mithila Under The Karnatas (C. 1097—1325 A.D.). p. 111.
  6. ↑ Kumar, DR.Rajiv (2019). "Vidyapati : a Great Devotional Poet" (PDF). p. 1.
  7. ↑ Radhakrishna Choudhary (1970). History Of Muslim Rule In Tirhut. pp. 44–45.
  8. ↑ Narayan Sinha, C.P. (1979). Mithila Under the Karnatas, C. 1097-1325 A.D. pp. 111–112.
  9. ↑ Radhakrishna Choudhary (1970). History Of Muslim Rule In Tirhut. pp. 44–45.
  10. ↑ Radhakrishna Choudhary (1970). History Of Muslim Rule In Tirhut. p. 46.
  11. ↑ Narayan Sinha, C.P. (1979). Mithila Under the Karnatas, C. 1097-1325 A.D. pp. 111–112.
  12. ↑ Majumdar, R.C (1967). The Delhi Sultanate. Vol. 6 (2nd ed.). Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. p. 398.

See also

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