Page 5 - ch 5

Module - II Establishment of The Delhi Sultanate

Military History of
The second battle at Tarain was significant because during this battle Ghori won the
Medieval India
numerically strong Rajput forces. This was possible because Ghori's forces were swift
in the use of Cavalry as against that of the Rajputs which were slow, although they
were large in numbers. Ghori's forces were well organized with good line of command
and control. The horses were fitted with horse shoes that provided high speed and life.
Also, new battlefield tactics were used by Ghori by way of tactically retreating his
forces which made the Rajputs move towards the centre and thereafter encircling
Note
them with their flanks and attacking fiercely. Besides, Ghori's forces were always on
the offensive and hence had the option of choosing the place to strike. These techniques
led to the victory of Mohammed Ghori who later captured Delhi and Ajmer and
established his rule.

Besides the superior battlefield techniques employed by the Turkish forces, the
successful penetration and establishment of Muslim rule in India can be attributed to
the following:-

 India, at that time, lacked a unified central authority. It was divided among many
small Kingdoms such as the Pratiharas and Chauhans in the North, Rashtrakutas
in the Deccan or Central India and the Palas in East India.
 Small kingdoms meant less power and weak forces. It was easy for Mohammad
Ghori to defeat smaller kings.

 There was frequent infighting within the Rajput clans for supremacy.

From then on, the Muslim dynasty called the Slave dynasty was founded with Qutub-
ud-din-Aibak as its first independent ruler in 1206 A.D. He ruled for four years and
established Muslim rule by putting down revolts from the surrounding Rajput kings.
Because of his bravery and generosity he was called 'Lakh Baksh'. Consolidation of
Muslim rule took place during the reign of Iltutmish who ruled from 1210 to 1236
A.D. Further territorial expansion took place during the rule of Alauddin Khilji when
Gujarat, Rajasthan, Malwa, Ujjain and neighboring territories were captured. Attempt
was also made to expand to the South.

28
28
MILITARY HISTORY