SULTANATES OF INDIA
DELHI SULTANATES
Fifth Dynasty - The Lodis
It was the last of ruling families of Delhi Sultanates. They achieved better than the later Tughluqs and Sayyids and ruled for longer time than Khaljis.Bahlol Lodi (1451-1489)
Bahlol Lodi had a immense experience as governor before he founded the Lodi dynasty. He ruled from Delhi till his death. He defeated Muhammad Shah Sharqi of Jaunpur when latter made an attempt to oust him. Under Bahlol's rule, Hussain Shah of Jaunpur made numerous attempts but was defeated, and Bahlol's son Barbak was placed on the throne of Jaunpur. Bahlol was a kind man, loved justice. He was a keen listener to his subjects.
Sikander Shah (1489-1517)
Nizam Khan, the son of Bahlol Lodi succeeded his father and ascended the throne with the title "Sikander Shah". His brother Barbak of Jaunpur was instigated by Hussain Shah to attack Sikander Shah. Sikander who came to know of this, marched to Jaunpur and made his brother to surrender. Sikander Shah showed leniency and put his brother Barbak on throne of Jaunpur. Sikander was an orthodox muslim, he destroyed most of the Hindu temples including Mathura, Utgir and Jwalamukhi at Nagarkot and ordered to build mosque in place. Idols of destroyed temples were given to butcher to use it as weights. Hindus were prohibited from shaving the heads and beards of Hindus, in accordance with the Hindu customs. Like his father he spent a great deal of time in fighting rebels.
Ibrahim Lodi (1517-1526)
Afghan nobles put Sikander's eldest son Ibrahim Lodi on the throne in 1517. Ibrahim was a headstrong person besides being weak and indolent. The nobles had increased their powers and refused to submit to Ibrahim. The confrontation further heated up when Ibrahim's brother Jalal was placed by the nobles as the Sultan of Jaunpur. Jalal was captured and killed later by Ibrahim thus frightening the nobles. In Bihar, Darya Khan, the governor and the son of Muhammad stuck his own coin revolting against Ibrahim Lodi. Meanwhile, Ibrahim's uncle Daulat Khan invited Balban of Afghanistan to fight against Ibrahim. Balban, in 1526, met Ibrahim in the famous plain of Panipat and defeated Ibrahim Lodi. Ibrahim Lodi was slain and Balban put an ultimate end to the Sultanate ruling of Delhi, and took up a title of Badshah.
LAST UPDATED 1st Nov 2001
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