The rise to power of the Khaljis b created such conditions as favourable to

rapid territorial expansion. What is of striking importance durjng the Khalji

regime, and especially in Alauddins reign is the continuous series of
unprecedented conquests in the annals of Indo-Muslim history.his was due to the
openness of the sultans in recruiting Indian muslims as well as hindus as officials,
administrators and soldiers and the internal restructuring of the administration.
Within twenty-five years, the armies of the Delhi Sultanat not only brought
Gujarat and Malwa under their control and subdued most of the princes in
Rajasthan, they also overran the Deccan and south India upto Madurai. The new
phase of expansion was initiated by Alauddin Khalji (1296-1316) whose reign,
according to Peter Jackson, “was marked by both the formidable mongol
invasions and by spectacular advances st the expense of independent hindu
powers in Rajasthan and the south”.

The first expedition of Alauddin after he became the sulta was the conquest
of Gujarat. Besides being fertile and populous, the quest of Gujarat meant the
monopoly of western sea ports and trade routes that brought in a lot of gold and
securing a better control over the supply of horses, which was crucial given the
mongol situation. Thus, in 1299, an army under two of Alauddin Khalji’s noted
generals Ulugh Khan and Nusral Khan marched against Gujarat while plundering
Jaisalmer. The Gujarat ruler, Rai Karan, was taken by surprise, and fled without
offering a fight. The chief cities of Gujarat, including Anhilwara and Somnath were
plundered and sacked. An enormous booty was collected. It was here that Malik
Kafur, who later led the invasions of south India, was bpught.
 After the conquest of Gujarat, Alauddin turned his attention to the
consolidation of his rule over Rajasthan. His first target being Ranthambore. In
1301, alauddin ordered the conquerors of Gujarat, Ulugh Khan and Nusrat Khan
to proceed against Ranthambore. They attacked Hamir Deva of R for refusing to
surrender the Mongols who had taken refuge there. However, thr mission failed
as Nusrat Khan was killed and Ulugh was forced to retreat. It was only after the
sultan’s arrival that the siege was brought to a successful conclusion. He was
accompanied on his campaign to Ranthambore by Amir Khusrau, who gave a
graphic description of the fort and its investment. Next in line was Chittor, one of
the strongest forts of Rajasthan. The fort was formidable, the terrain
mountainous. The Rajpiits fought valiantly, but finally the ruler, Raja Ratan Singh,
submitted. The Sultan entered the fort at the end of August 1303. The fort's
administration was handed over by the Sultan to his son Khizr Khan. He also
onquered Ujjain, Mewar, Jalore etc.

The most remarkable of his conquests was that of deccan and far south…
(satish Chandra pg 92)

Conclusion- the Khaljis were empire builders for they brought to knees
independent kings and kept an eye on defence against external aggression. It was
under them that Turkish imperialism reached its zenith.