The Khalji Raids into Magadh, was a significant military campaign of the

Ghurid Empire The Ghurid dynasty (also spelled Ghorids; ; self-designation: , ''Šansabānī'') was a Persianate dynasty of eastern Iranian peoples, Iranian Tajik people, Tajik origin, which ruled from the 8th-century in the region of Ghor, and became an Emp ...

led by the Ghurid commander

Bakhtiyar Khalji Ikhtiyār al-Dīn Muḥammad Bin Bakhtiyār Khaljī, also known as Bakhtiyar Khalji, was a Turko-Afghan Military General of the Ghurid ruler Muhammad of Ghor, who led the Muslim conquests of the eastern Indian regions of Bengal and parts of Bi ...

. He successfully captured

Bihar Bihar ( ) is a states and union territories of India, state in Eastern India. It is the list of states and union territories of India by population, second largest state by population, the List of states and union territories of India by are ...

, incorporating it into the

, before proceeding with his invasion of Bengal.

The Conquest

Muhammad

advanced towards

with a mere 200 soldiers, yet he accomplished the relatively easy capture of one of its most heavily fortified forts, Udantapuri. While local inhabitants did resist the

Ghurid The Ghurid dynasty (also spelled Ghorids; ; self-designation: , ''Šansabānī'') was a Persianate dynasty of eastern Iranian peoples, Iranian Tajik people, Tajik origin, which ruled from the 8th-century in the region of Ghor, and became an Emp ...

general and his forces, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. Despite emerging from his fort to engage in battle with great courage, the ruler was ultimately defeated and killed in the ensuing confrontation with the Khalji Commander.

Destruction of Nalanda and Vikramshila

It is highly likely that during this particular conquest, as recorded by the Tibetan chronicler Taranath in the 15th century, Bakhtiyar also seized the monastic cities of Vikramsila and

Nalanda Nalanda (International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: , ) was a renowned Buddhism, Buddhist ''mahavihara'' (great monastery) in medieval Magadha (Mahajanapada), Magadha (modern-day Bihar), eastern India. Widely considered to be am ...

, and proceeded to raze them to the ground. He mercilessly slaughtered all the residents and plundered a great amount of riches, which he then delivered to Sultan of Delhi,

Qutubuddin Aibak Qutb ud-Din Aibak (; 1150 – 4 November 1210) was a Turkic general of the Ghurid emperor Muhammad Ghori. He was in charge of the Ghurid territories in northern India, and after Muhammad Ghori's assassination in 1206, he established his own ...

. Muhammad

demolished ancient centers of learning at Nalanda and Vikramshila before orchestrating a widespread massacre upon entering the fort, historical evidence suggests otherwise. The prevailing consensus among historians refutes the portrayal of

as a merciless and bloodthirsty military leader. Instead, a more nuanced understanding reveals that

's actions were not marked by cruelty or ruthlessness, challenging the traditional narrative that has painted him in an unfavorable light. The three kings of the Guptas of Jayapura dynasty who likely lived in the first half of the 12th century. They were vassals of the Palas, as Monghyr was part of the Pala kingdom until the mid-12th century. After the decline of the Palas, Rajadityagupta declared independence. His son, Krishnagupta, passed away before him. Rajadityagupta was succeeded by his grandson, Sangramagupta. It is believed that Sarhgramagupta, another ruler of the Guptas, was a contemporary of Lakshmanasena. The Guptas' power was likely ended by Muhammad Bakhtyär Khalji in the early 13th century during the reign of Sangramagupta.

References

{{improve categories, date=September 2024 1200s conflicts Ghurid dynasty Muslim period in the Indian subcontinent