Katehr

   The territory east of Delhi across the Ganges that later came to be called Rohilkhand was known in the Delhi sultanate as Katehr. It was first subdued by Iltutmish in 1227. Roughly until Balban's rise to kingship (1266), Katehr continued to be largely controlled by defiant Hindu chiefs. Several important places lo-cated between the Ganges and Ram Ganga had come to be gar-risoned with the Delhi sultanate's troops during Nasir al-Din Mah-mud Shah's reign (1246-1266). Balban (1266-1286), followed by Jalal al-Din Firuz Khalji (1290-1296), conducted sustained mili-tary campaigns in the region, leading to its pacification to the point that 'Ala al-Din Khalji (1296-1316) could include a large part of Katehr, like other less recalcitrant districts, in the region subjected to the land tax based on measurement of land. Firuz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388) had reserved a large tract in Katehr for the royal chase. During the 15th century, under the Saiyid dynasty, Katehr was, however, again referred to in history books as a vast mawas controlled by local chiefs.