The Delhi Sultans were interested in cutting down forests to give land to the peasants and extend agriculture. Also, new fortresses and towns were established to protect trade routes and to promote regional trade. They also cleared forests in order to safeguard their borders and for quick movement of the army.
In today's world, deforestation occurs due to development goals like construction of roads, railways, houses and industries. So, we can say that deforestation occur for the same reasons today only the perspective has been changed.