The Chagatai Khanate controlled Central Asia, and its leader since the 1280s was Duwa Khan who was second in command of Kaidu.

Negudari governor Abdullah, who was a son of Chagatai Khan's great grandson, invaded Punjab with his force in 1292, but their advance guard under Ulghu was defeated and taken prisoner by Alauddin's predecessor Jalaluddin Khalji.

After this humiliating defeat, the Mongols launched a third invasion, with full preparations, intending to conquer India.

[4] In late 1299, Duwa, the ruler of the Mongol Chagatai Khanate, dispatched his son Qutlugh Khwaja to conquer Delhi.

The Mongols wanted to conserve their energy for the battle to conquer Delhi, and avoided confrontations with these generals.

[6] Alauddin's general Zafar Khan, who was at Kuhram, sent a messenger and invited Qutlugh Khwaja to a battle.

As a result, the commodity prices in Delhi increased greatly, causing distress to the local population.

[6] Alauddin set up a military camp near Siri, on the banks of the Yamuna River, and summoned his officers.

Alaul Mulk, his uncle and the kotwal of Delhi, advised him to resort to diplomacy and negotiations, instead of risking his kingdom.

[5] Alauddin rejected the advice, arguing that if he showed weakness, the general public and the warriors will lose respect for him.

[7] Alauddin left Alaul Mulk in charge of Delhi, ordering him to hand over the keys of the palace gates to the victor of the battle.

[8] The 14th century chronicler Isami mentions that before the battle, Qutlugh Khwaja sent four envoys to Alauddin, declaring that such an army was unprecedented in Hindustan.

He requested Alauddin to allow his envoys to go around the Delhi army's camp, and inquire the names of his chief officers.

Meanwhile, Targhi's Mongol unit had covered an area of 3 km behind him, blocking his return to Alauddin's camp.

[10][9] According to Ziauddin Barani's Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi, Qutlugh Khwaja offered Zafar an opportunity to surrender, promising to take him to the Chagatai Khanate, where he would be treated more honourably than at the Delhi court.

Meanwhile, Qutlugh Khwaja remained reluctant to initiate an attack, and the second day ended without any military action.

[11] However, modern historian Peter Jackson surmises that Mongols retreated because Qutlugh Khwaja was gravely injured; he died during the return journey.

[13] Although Zafar Khan died fighting in the battle, Alauddin resented the fact that he had disobeyed the royal orders.

[15] Zafar Khan's name was omitted in the subsequent royal chronicles written during Alauddin's reign.