The North West Frontier Policy during the Sultanate Period

Mongol Invasions on the North-West Frontier of India

• The North-West Frontier of India always remained vulnerable to foreign attacks in ancient and medieval times. Several invaders came to India from the North-West.
• The rulers of India attempted to devote attention towards guarding their frontier according to their ability and competence.
• During those days the frontiers comprised the Hindu Kush Mountains along with the regions of Kabul, Gazni and Gandhar.
• The Mongols from Central Asia created difficult situations for several Indian Sultans. Their invasions weakened the powers of some of the rulers so much that they had to suffer humiliation and that some of the governors under them declared their independence and became independent rulers.

Mongols and the Sultans of Slave Dynasty

Iltutmish

• During the beginning of the 12th century A.D., Mongols under the leadership of Changzeb Khan invaded several countries from Japan to Central Asia. Lakhs of people became victim of their atrocities. India barely escaped their fury. The Shah of Khwarizm, Jalal-ud-Din was forced by the Mongols to flee from his country.
• He sought refuge with Sultan Iltutmish who very diplomatically sent him back on the plea of unsuitable climate of India. The Shah was hotly being pursued by the Mongols. Fortunately for India, the Mongols had to return from the frontiers of India on account of political exigencies in Central Asia.

Baharm Shah and Nasir-ud-Din

• The first Mongol invasion took place in 1241. The Mongols plundered several territories including Lahore to their heart’s content. The Sultan Baharm Shah could not do anything. Another adverse effect of the Mongol invasion was that the provinces of Sind and Multan became independent of the Sultan.
• However, later on these two provinces were won over during Masud’s time i.e. the successor of Baharm Shah. During the next Sultan Nasir-ud-Din, the Mongols again attacked India and besieged Multan. The governor of Multan gave Rs. one lakh as war indemnity. Their attacks continued and Multan and Western Punjab came under their control.

Balban and the Mongols

The Mongol invasions increased during Balban’s time but were met with great resistance. Balban knew well the strength and the savagery of the Mongols.

He took the following measures to safeguard his kingdom from the invasions of the Mongols:

1. Balban decided not to leave Delhi for a long period to expand his kingdom.
2. Balban personally kept a vigilant eye over the North-West Frontier.
3. For purpose of defence, Balban divided the North-west frontier into two parts. Multan, Samanta and Dipalpur were also made as frontier provinces.
4. Balban appointed his sons and dependable relatives as the governors of those provinces. Mohammad, his eldest son and Bughra Khan were made the Governors of Samana and Dipalpur respectively. Sher Shah Shangar (Sultan’s cousin) was appointed the governor of Multan. After Sher Khan’s death, Balban entrusted Sind, Multan and Lahore to his eldest son Muhammad.
5. Balban raised a strong army to defend the frontier itself and kept a large army at Delhi in the state of preparedness to meet the challenge of the Mongol invasions.
6. Balban built rows of strong forts at strategic points all along the frontier.
7. He posted experienced and well-trained military personnel in these forts.
8. Improved war weapons were manufactured and supplied to these forts.
9. Old forts were repaired and provided with adequate weapons and equipment’s. The Mongols made their biggest invasion in 1285 in which Balban’s eldest son Muhammad Khan was killed but in the end, the Mongols were defeated. Balban died the same year in the grief of his son.