The Delhi Sultanate-Lodhi Dynasty

 The time period of the Lodhi Dynasty was 1451 to 1526 AD. The Lodhi dynasty was the last ruling family of the Delhi sultanate of India. The Lodhi dynasty was of Afghan origin. The first Lodi ruler was Bahlol /Bahlul Lodi, the most powerful of the Punjab chiefs, who replaced the last king of the Sayyid dynasty.

 Rulers of Lodhi Dynasty: 

There were three rulers of the Lodhi Dynasty.

1. Bahlol Lodhi
2. Sikandar Lodhi
3. Ibrahim Lodhi

Bahlol Lodhi:

• Bahlol Lodi was the founder of the Lodi Dynasty. The time period of Bahlol Lodhi was 1451 to 1458 AD.

• In 1443, Bahlol attacked Delhi but he did not succeed and made another unsuccessful attempt to capture Delhi in 1447. Bahlol ascended the throne of Delhi on 19th April in 1451and Adopted the title of Bahlol Shah.

• Bahlol was a vigorous leader, holding together a loose confederacy of Afghan and Turkish chiefs with his strong personality.

• Bahlol Lodhi gave Jagirs and High offices to Afghans nobles.He treated them as Friends and considered himself one of them.

• Starting with only the control of the region adjacent to Delhi, Bahlul extended the effective boundaries of his empire to the borders of Bengal. Bahlol Lodhi conquered the powerful kingdoms of Malwa and Jaunpur.

• Bahlul Lodi was a wise ruler, he never sat on the throne and he used to sit on the carpet in front of the throne with his nobles to gain their recognition and support.

• Maximum rule in Delhi sultanate 38 years.

• He died in 1489 A.D.Sikandar Shahi 1489.

Sikandar Lodhi:

1. Sikandar Shahi was the son of Bahlol Lodhi. The time period of Sikandar Lodhi was 1489-1517.
2. Sikandar Lodhi swore the title Sikandar Shah and ascended the throne.
3. Sikandar Lodhi gained control of Bihar and founded the modern city of Agra in 1504 and capital in 1506.
4. Sikandar Lodhi set up a well-organized spy system.
5. Sikandar Lodhi developed agriculture and industry and introduced a ‘Gaz-i-Sikandari’ (measurement unit) – 30 inches.
6. Sikandar Shah enjoyed “Shehnai” Music. During his reign, “Lahjati-Sikandar Shahi” , a work on music was created.
7. Sikandar Lodhi was a poet and composed poems in Persian with the Pen name ‘ Gulrukhi’.
8. Temple of Mathura was destroyed by the Sikandar Lodhi. He was a muslim and destroyed many temples of Hindus.

 Ibrahim Lodhi:

• Sikandar’s eldest son, Ibrahim Lodhi became sultan in 1517.

• Ibrahim Lodhi killed Jallal khan (brother & Ruler of Jaunpur).

• Ibrahim Lodhi attempted to enhance the royal authority.

• Ibrahim Lodhi was an intolerant and adamant ruler.

• Ibrahim Lodhi had humiliated many nobles and killed some nobles cruelly.

• Ibrahim Lodhi also treated his son Dilwar Khan Lodhi cruell

• In the battlefield of Khatoli battle fought in 1518– Rana Sanga vs Ibrahim lodhi (defeated)\

• Babur invaded India and defeated Ibrahim Lodi in the first battle of Panipat, 21 April 1526.

 First Battle of Panipat:

• Babur received an invitation from the governor of Punjab known as Daulton Khan Lodhi in order to replace Lodhi.  Later, Babur came to India and defeated Lodhi

• The battle between them is known as The First battle of Panipat.

• On the battlefield, Babur defeated and killed Ibrahim Lodhi. With the defeat of Ibrahim Lodhi, the Delhi sultanate was ended.

Conclusion:

 The Lodhi Dynasty founded by Bahlol Lodhi lasted for about seventy-five years. The Dynasty Derives its name from an Afghan tribe as Lodhi. Bahlol Grandfather, Malik Bahram Lodhi was a pashtun from Multan, he tooks service under the governor of multan. In his youth Bahlol was involved in the trading of horses after the death of Malik Sultan, Bahlol Lodhi became the Governor of Sirhind. He was allotted Lahore to his charge. Ibrahim Lodhi was the last ruler of the Lodhi dynasty.