How Many Indians Were Killed By the Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, and British Raj?

The Triad of Tyranny: Death and Destruction Under the Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, and British Raj

Introduction

India has suffered centuries of foreign rule marked by warfare, religious persecution, plunder, and systematic exploitation. Among the most destructive regimes were the Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526), the Mughal Empire (1526–1857), and the British Raj (1757–1947). Though distinct in ideology—religious conquest in the Sultanate and Mughal periods, and economic imperialism under the British—all three left a trail of death and devastation. This article examines the atrocities and estimated death tolls under these regimes, converting figures to the Indian metric of crores for clarity.

1. Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526): Reign of the Sword

The Delhi Sultanate was a series of dynasties—Turkish, Afghan, and Central Asian—who ruled northern India based on Islamic theocracy. Their expansion was driven by military aggression, religious superiority, and forced conversions.

Major Atrocities and Deaths

  • Qutb-ud-din Aibak (1206–1210): His campaigns in Rajputana and Meerut resulted in the mass killing of Hindus. Early chronicles mention thousands executed and temples razed.
  • Alauddin Khilji (1296–1316):
    • After the 1303 siege of Chittor, chronicler Amir Khusrau notes 30,000 civilians (3 lakh) were massacred.
    • 30,000 Mongol converts in Delhi were executed fearing rebellion.
    • Campaigns in Gujarat and South India involved mass killings and destruction.
  • Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325–1351):
    • His failed experiments in currency, taxation, and forced relocations led to famines and rebellions.
    • Deaths due to famine and state violence estimated at 20–25 lakh (2–2.5 million or 0.2–0.25 crore).
  • Firuz Shah Tughlaq (1351–1388):
    • Boasted of destroying thousands of temples and enslaving lakhs.
    • His Orissa campaign reportedly killed 1.8 lakh (180,000) in one expedition.
  • Timur’s Invasion (1398):
    • Though not part of the Sultanate, this occurred under its watch.
    • 100,000 Hindu prisoners were slaughtered in a single day; Delhi saw another over 1 lakh killed.

Estimated Total Deaths (Delhi Sultanate)

Combining battle deaths, mass executions, religious persecution, famines, and Timur’s massacre, historians such as K.S. Lal estimate 40 to 50 lakh deaths people across 320 years.

2. Mughal Empire (1526–1857): A Facade of Grandeur

The Mughals are often portrayed as patrons of architecture and culture, but their military campaigns and policies caused immense bloodshed, especially under rulers like Babur and Aurangzeb.

Key Massacres and Oppression

  • Babur (1526–1530):
    • After the Battle of Khanwa (1527), he slaughtered thousands of Hindu soldiers and civilians.
    • Justified killings on religious grounds in the Baburnama.
  • Akbar (1556–1605):
    • Early conquests were violent. At Chittorgarh (1568), over 30,000 non-combatants were killed.
    • Later adopted more inclusive policies, but only after consolidating power through brutal means.
  • Jahangir & Shah Jahan (1605–1658):
    • Jahangir ordered the execution of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru.
    • Shah Jahan razed temples and enforced Sharia law. His Deccan campaigns led to significant civilian casualties.
  • Aurangzeb (1658–1707):
    • Reinstated jizya, banned Hindu festivals, and destroyed over 1,000 temples (according to contemporary records).
    • His 27-year war in the Deccan and anti-Sikh operations caused immense loss of life.
      • K.S. Lal estimates over 40–50 lakh deaths (4–5 million or 0.4–0.5 crore) during his campaigns alone.
    • Executed Guru Tegh Bahadur, buried alive Guru Gobind Singh’s sons, Chattrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and killed countless Marathas.
  • Nadir Shah’s Massacre (1739):
    • Invaded Delhi during Mughal decline.
    • Killed an estimated 20,000–30,000 in a single day—2–3 lakh.

Estimated Total Deaths (Mughal Rule)

Across invasions, battles, religious persecution, and prolonged warfare, estimated total deaths range between 50 to 70 lakh— over 331 years.

3. British Raj (1757–1947): Death by Exploitation and Neglect

Unlike the Mughals and Sultans, the British didn’t rule with the sword alone. Their devastation came via economic drain, deliberate policy-induced famines, and ruthless suppression of revolts.

Famine Deaths

  • Bengal Famine (1770):
    • Caused by East India Company’s revenue policies.
    • 1 crore people—one-third of Bengal’s population—died.
  • 19th Century Famines (Madras, Bombay, Punjab):
    • British laissez-faire policies ignored drought and starvation.
    • According to Mike Davis (Late Victorian Holocausts), 2.5–3 crore people perished in these famines.
  • Great Bengal Famine (1943):
    • Churchill’s wartime grain diversion caused starvation.
    • 30–40 lakh (3–4 million or 0.3–0.4 crore) Indians died while grain was stockpiled for Europe.

Massacres and Repression

  • 1857 Revolt:
    • Entire villages in Awadh and Delhi were wiped out.
    • Conservative estimates suggest 2–3 lakh were killed or executed.
  • Jallianwala Bagh (1919):
    • Over 1,000 unarmed civilians were massacred.
  • Freedom Struggles (1920s–1940s):
    • Thousands imprisoned, tortured, or shot dead across India.

Economic Exploitation

  • Economist Utsa Patnaik estimates Britain drained $45 trillion from India.
  • Chronic poverty, malnutrition, disease, and poor sanitation became endemic.
    • These conditions led to crores of slow, undocumented deaths—never recorded as executions, but caused directly by British neglect.

Estimated Total Deaths (British Rule)

  • Famines (1770–1943): 3.5–4 crore
  • Repressions and massacres: 10–20 lakh
  • Neglect-driven poverty and disease: Easily another 1–2 crore

➡️ Total Estimate: 5–6 crore deaths during 190 years of British rule

Comparative Analysis: A Timeline of Catastrophe

RegimePeriodEstimated Deaths Nature of Atrocity
Delhi Sultanate1206–152640–50 LakhsMassacres, forced conversions, temple destruction
Mughal Empire1526–185750–70 LakhsReligious persecution, prolonged wars, political executions
British Raj1757–19475 Crs.–6 Crs.Engineered famines, economic plunder, violent repression

Conclusion

Across seven centuries, these three foreign regimes—Turkic-Afghani Sultans, Central Asian Mughals, and British colonists—left behind a common legacy: death, destruction, and cultural dislocation. Together, they caused the deaths of 14 to 18 crore Indians.

This is not a narrative of victimhood but a call for historical truth. Recognizing the scale of destruction is vital for India’s self-awareness. Honoring the countless victims of these regimes reminds us that independence wasn’t just a political achievement—it was a civilizational resurrection.

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