Previous Year Question
Whose army was defeated by the army of Kakatiya rulers in 1303 at Warangal?
Of Iltutmish
Of Balban
Of Alauddin Khalji
Of Muhammad Tughlaq
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
At the beginning of the fourteenth century, the Delhi Sultanate began expanding towards the wealthy kingdoms of southern India. At that time, the Sultan of Delhi was Alauddin Khalji.
In 1303 CE, Alauddin Khalji sent an army from Delhi to invade Warangal. Warangal was then the capital of the Kakatiya dynasty, ruled by Prataparudra II.
This was Alauddin's first expedition against Warangal. The campaign failed, and the army of the Delhi Sultanate was defeated by the Kakatiya forces.
It is important to distinguish the 1303 campaign from the campaigns of 1309–10. After the failure of the first expedition, Alauddin again sent an expedition against the Kakatiya kingdom.
In 1309 CE, Malik Kafur was sent against Warangal. He besieged Warangal and ultimately compelled Prataparudra II to make peace and agree to deliver substantial wealth and annual tribute to Delhi.
Therefore, 1303 represents the Kakatiya victory, whereas 1309–10 represents Malik Kafur's successful campaign. The two events should be kept distinct.
The option Muhammad Tughlaq can cause confusion because later, in 1323 CE, Ulugh Khan, who subsequently became Muhammad bin Tughlaq, successfully attacked Warangal and brought Kakatiya rule to an end.
Thus, the chronology is—
1303 — Alauddin's first army defeated ✔
1309–10 — successful expedition of Malik Kafur
1323 — Warangal conquered by Ulugh Khan and Kakatiya rule ended