Ibrahim Lodhi

Ibrahim Lodhi is marked in history for being the first sultan of Delhi of the Sultan dynasty. Ibrahim Lodhi became Sultan after his father Sikandar Lodhi passed away in 1517. He was the last ruler of the Lodhi dynasty, ruling over nine years in 1526. Ibrahim Lodhi was defeated and killed by the invading forces of Babur’s in “the battle of Panipat”. He has opened the rising way of the Mughal empire of India. 

Ibrahim Lodhi

Ibrahim Lodhi was the last Afghan sultan of Delhi dynasty. He belonged to the Lodhi dynasty. He died on April 21, 1526. Ibrahim Lodhi died during the “first Panipat battle” in 1526 by Babur. The “first Panipat battle” was fought in “North India” by invading Mughals. This is the end of the Lodhi dynasty in “Delhi sultanate” and the beginning of Mughal imperialism. Ibrahim Lodhi was a suspected dictator who became increasingly isolated from his nobles during his ruling. Ibrahim Lodhi took forward the Lodhi dynasty after the demise of his father Sikandar in 1517. Ibrahim Lodhi continued ruling for over nine years. Ibrahim Lodhi ascended the throne after the death of his father Siaknadar did not hold the same governing power. Ibrahim Lodhi faced several revolts during his reign. “Rana Sangram Singh” who was the ruler of “Mewar” has extended his empire to “western part of Uttar Pradesh” and is threatening to invade “Agra”. At that time there was an uprising revolt in the eastern part too. Ibrahim Lodhi was not pleased with the aristocracy when he took the place of his senior and old commanders who were faithful to him. Lodhi’s Afghan aristocracy in due course invited Mughalsto invade India. In 1526, Mughal forces under the leadership of “Babur” who was the king of previous “Kabulistan” (Modern capital of Afghanistan known as Kabul) defeated Lodhi’s large army in “the battle of Panipat”. 

Ibrahim Lodhi’s tomb

The “tomb of Ibrahim Lodhi” was built in the memory of Ibrahim Lodhi who was the last Sultan of the Lodhi dynasty. Ibrahim Lodhi’s tomb is built in “Panipat” in Modern state of Haryana, India. The tomb of Ibrahim Lodhi is often mistaken for “Shisha Gumbad” within the “Lodhi gardens of Delhi”. Instead, Ibrahim Lodhi’s tomb was located near the “tehsil in Panipat”, near the “Dargah of Sufi Saint Bu Ali Shah Qalandar”. The tomb of Ibrahim Lodhi is a simple rectangular structure that is reached by a flight of steps on a high plinth. The tomb of Ibrahim Lodhi was relocated and renovated by the Britishers in 1866 during the construction of “Grand Trunk Road” and features an engraving underlining the demise of Ibrahim Lodhi at “the battle of Panipat”.However, it seems that another form of monument has existed since the last “Raja Vikramaditya” of “the old Gwalior dynasty” indulged in the same war which has been a place sacred for the people of “Gwalior” as a pilgrimage. As per the statement made by Historian “Alexander Cunningham”, the tomb of Ibrahim Lodhi was demolished when the construction of “Grand Trunk Road” was in progress.

First ruler of Lodhi dynasty

The Lodhi dynasty was the last ruling dynasty of the Sultans of Delhi. Lodhi belonged to Afghan origin. The first ruler of the Lodhi dynasty was Bahalul Lodhi who was in power between 1451 – 1489. The Lodhi dynasty completely took over the Sayyid dynasty in 1451. Bahalul Lodhi was a strong leader, he combined his strong personality with a loose alliance of Afghan and Turkish leaders. Beginning with control of the territory adjoining only Delhi, Bahalul Lodhi has extended his empire to the “borders of Bengal”. In this expansion of his empire “Jaunpur and Malwa” were conquered. Although Bahalul Lodhi laid siege to “Delhi” two times, he succeeded in partially capturing “Jaunpur” in 1479. BahlulLodhi’s son was Sikandar Lodhi who continued his father’s expansion strategy. Sikandar Lodhi took control of “Bihar” and established the modern city of “Agra” which was popularly known as “Sikandarabad”. His rule was only backed by a distinction for religious prejudice. Sikandar Lodhi’s son Ibrahim Lodhi sought to increase royal supremacy. However, this harsh nature of Ibrahim Lodhi gave rise to resentment, leading the “Governor of Punjab Daulat Khan Lodhi” to invite Mughals to invade India. Ibrahim Lodhi was defeated and killed in “the first battle of Panipat” on April 21, 1527, which shattered the lost alliance of Lodhi’s. 

Breakdown structure of Lodhi dynasty:

Conclusion

Ibrahim Lodhi spent most of his ruling at battle with Mughal and Afghan invaders. Ibrahim Lodhi died in front of Mughals and tried a lot to save his dynasty from destruction. Lodhi dynasty was the first Afghan ruler in Delhi who ruled over India from 1451 to 1526. The Lodhi dynasty came into existence and power after the demolition of “Sayyid dynasty”. Bahlul Lodhi was laid the foundation of Lodhi dynasty under the leadership of Muhammad Shah who was the Subedar or Governor of Punjab. Bahlul Lodhi had tried to regain the glory of “Delhi Sultanate”, so he kept annihilating regions near Delhi. Sikandar Lodhi was the most capable ruler among three Lodhi rulers. He was able to capture the territories of “Bihar and Tirhut” and allied with “Allauddin Hussain Shah of Bengal”.