Siege of Kalinjar

The Siege of Kalinjar was a military expedition conducted by the Ghurid Empire under the leadership of Qutb-ud-din Aibak and Iltutmish against the Chandelas of Jejakabhukti in 1203. During this campaign, the Ghurids successfully captured the Kalinjar fortress after laying siege to it. The Ghurid forces emerged victorious, defeating the Chandelas, and the Chandela ruler Paramardi surrendered Kalinjar to the Ghurids.

Background
Kalinjar served as the political capital of the Chandelas of Jejakabhukti. It faced an invasion by Prithviraj Chauhan of the Chauhan Dynasty in 1183. However, following Prithviraj's demise after the Second Battle of Tarain, the Chandelas reclaimed their dominance over Kalinjar. The Chandela dynasty was ruled by Paramardi, its last major king.

In 1202–1203, Qutb-uddin Aibak, along with his fellow commander Iltutmish, led an expedition towards Kalinjar. His forces defeated the Chandela army and captured Kalinjar. Although Paramardi surrendered and agreed to pay tribute, he passed away before fulfilling his commitments.

Aftermath
The Ghurids were unable to maintain control over Kalanjara for long. Paramardi's son, Trailokyavarman, also known as Trailokyamalla, defeated the Ghurids at Kakadadaha (modern-day Kakadwa) sometime before 1205 and regained all territories, including Kalanjara. His inscriptions, dated from 1205 to 1241, confirm that his kingdom included areas such as Lalitpur, Chattarpur State, Panna State, Ajaigarh State, and Rewah State. In 1211-1212, he conquered Rewah in Baghelkhand and likely the entire Dahala-matidala region from the Kalachuri ruler Vijayasirhha. Malik Nusrat-ud-din Tayasal, a general under Iltutmish, led an invasion of Kalanjara during the reign of Mamluk Sultanate, acquiring significant wealth through the plundering of the townships within the region.