The North-West Frontier of the Sultanate during the 13th century

Summary

This article analyses the Delhi Sultanate’s frontier policy in the thirteenth century, focusing on the north-western marches facing Afghanistan. It begins by noting that, although India’s natural barriers include oceans, deserts and mountains, the passes through the north-west remain vulnerable; the ancient Indian kingdoms rarely concerned themselves with frontier defence, but the Turkish Sultans were the first to conceive a policy of guarding the region. After the Ghor kingdom collapsed, Mongol forces under Genghis Khan occupied Afghanistan and established posts throughout the region. The Delhi Sultanate’s frontier consequently receded to the Salt Range; Lahore and Multan served as outposts, while the Ravi and Beas rivers marked the effective boundary. The author argues that the early Slave rulers—Qutb-ud-din Aibak, Iltutmish and Balban—did not manage to secure a natural frontier. Their resources were limited, and they faced repeated Mongol raids. The Sultanate attempted to create a network of fortifications and to garrison local rajas; however, internal revolts and the difficulties of maintaining troops far from the capital hindered success. The paper examines the role of the Khokhars and other local chiefs who alternated between loyalty and rebellion. It concludes that the border remained unsettled; the Mongols launched at least ten major invasions into India between 1221 and 1300, some reaching as far as Delhi and the Ganga-Yamuna doab. Only during Balban’s later years did the Sultanate attempt to create a “scientific frontier” by strengthening fortresses in the Salt Range, but even this strategy failed to stop raids. The article emphasises that the Delhi rulers did not conceive of a permanent boundary; rather, they reacted to threats with ad hoc measures. Their frontier policy was thus largely defensive and reactive.