The Sultan who rewarded the looters of Delhi

 The Sultan who rewarded the looters of Delhi.”

Sounds unbelievable, right?

But that’s exactly what Jalaluddin Khilji did.

When Jalaluddin became Sultan in 1290, Delhi was in chaos. During the transition of power, the city was looted by opportunists and rebels. Any ruler in his place would’ve ordered mass arrests, harsh punishments, or even executions.

But Jalaluddin thought differently.

Instead of punishing the looters, he forgave them—and even gave them rewards. His logic? “Win hearts, not battles.”
He believed that if he showed kindness over cruelty, even those who wronged him would be loyal in return.

It wasn’t a sign of weakness. It was strategy.

At a time when most rulers ruled by the sword, Jalaluddin tried to rule by compassion. Some historians called him soft, others called him smart. But one thing is clear—he wasn’t like the typical Sultan of his time.

This incident tells us a lot about how power doesn’t always have to come from fear. Sometimes, empathy is the most powerful weapon.

But here's the real question:
👉 If you were in Jalaluddin’s place, would you have done the same?

Was this act visionary… or a gamble that could’ve gone terribly wrong?

👇 Share your thoughts in the comments. Let’s talk history that still makes us think.