Qarachil Expedition

Qarachil Expedition
Part of campaigns of the Delhi Sultanate
Date 14th century Location Kumaon-Garhwal region, modern-day Uttarakhand, India Result Kumaon victory
Belligerents
Delhi Sultanate	Kumaon Kingdom
Commanders and leaders
Khusrau Malik	local rulers
Strength
80,000–100,000 troops [1]	Unknown but less
Casualties and losses
Heavy – only 3–10 survived [note 1] [1]	Unknown but less

The Qarachil Expedition, also known as the Kumaon Expedition, ^{[3] [1] [4] [5]} was a military campaign undertaken by Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq of the Delhi Sultanate during the 14th century at 1337-38CE ^{[note 2]} . The campaign aimed to secure the northern frontiers. Qarachil is also referred to as Kumaon ^{[4] [1] [7] [5] [8]}

Background

Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq launched the Qarachil Expedition to stabilize the northern borders of the Delhi Sultanate and suppress rebellions in the region ^{[3] [9]} >. The area, identified with parts of modern-day Kumaon and Garhwal ^{[4] [5]} in Uttarakhand, was strategically significant due to its rugged terrain and its position as a frontier zone. ^{[1] [7]}

The campaign

The expedition, led by Khusrau Malik, was one of the largest undertaken by the Delhi Sultanate, with an estimated strength of 80,000 to 100,000 troops. Initially, the army advanced successfully through Sambhal and captured key territories, including Jidya. However, the campaign soon turned disastrous:

• Fierce resistance by Kumaoni forces: The local rulers and their troops employed guerrilla tactics, ambushing the sultanate's forces in the dense forests and rugged mountains. The Himalayan warriors, well-acquainted with the terrain, inflicted heavy casualties on the invaders. ^{[1] [7]}
• Strategic disruption: Kumaoni forces targeted supply lines and logistical routes, starving the sultanate’s army of essential resources. ^{[1] [7]}
• Adverse weather and plague: Heavy rains and freezing conditions in the mountains compounded the difficulties. The harsh climate caused widespread illness, including an outbreak of plague that devastated the sultanate’s troops. ^{[1] [7]}
• Logistical failures: The sultanate forces were unprepared for the extended campaign in such remote terrain. Their reliance on traditional supply lines proved to be a significant vulnerability. ^{[1] [7]}

Aftermath

The failure of the Qarachil Expedition had far-reaching consequences:

• Military losses: A significant portion of the sultanate’s forces were lost, weakening its military. ^[1]
• Economic strain: The expedition’s cost exacerbated financial pressures on the empire. ^{[1] [10]}
• Forced currency: After expedition Tuglaq launched brass and copper currency ^[11]
• Political repercussions: Sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq’s credibility was damaged, and dissent grew within his administration. ^[1]

References

1. Ḥusain, Āg̲h̲ā Mahdī (1963). Tughluq Dynasty. Thacker, Spink.
2. Ḥusain, Āg̲h̲ā Mahdī (1963). Tughluq Dynasty. Thacker, Spink. p. 184.
3. Experts, Disha (11 July 2017). The History Compendium for IAS Prelims General Studies CSAT Paper 1, UPSC & State PSC 2nd Edition. Disha Publications. ISBN   978-93-86323-44-6.
4. Majumdar, Ramesh Chandra (1951). The History and Culture of the Indian People: The Delhi sultanate. G. Allen & Unwin. pp. 73, 506.
5. Pickthall, Marmaduke William; Asad, Muhammad (1988). Islamic Culture. Islamic Culture Board. p. 15.
6. Ḥusain, Āg̲h̲ā Mahdī (1963). Tughluq Dynasty. Thacker, Spink. p. 490.
7. Central Asiatic Journal. O. Harrassowitz. 1975.
8. Experts, Disha (1 August 2021). Indian History & Culture Quick Revision Material for UPSC & State PSC General Studies Exams. Disha Publications.
9. Pandey, Manohar (8 April 2021). General Knowledge 2022. Arihant Publications India limited. ISBN   978-93-252-9558-2.
10. Saeed, Mian Muhammad (1972). The Sharqi of Jaunpur: A Political & Cultural History. University of Karachi.
11. Majumdar, Ramesh Chandra; Raychaudhuri, Hemchandra; Datta, Kalikinkar (1949). An Advanced History of India: The Delhi sultanate and the Mughul empire. Macmillan and Company, Limited.

Notes

1. According to Ibn Battuta, only three soldiers survived, and according to Ziya’uddin Barani, ten soldiers survived. This indicates that nearly the entire army perished during the Qarachil Expedition. ^[2]
2. Date of the Qarachil Expedition according to historians: Budauni: fixes the expedition in 1337–1338 CE (738 Hijri); Firishta: also supports the date 1337–1338 CE (738 Hijri). Some earlier assumptions placed the expedition as late as 1338 CE, but this is corrected by both Budauni and Firishta ^[6]