Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526 CE): The Lodi Dynasty was the fifth and final dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, which ruled over North India from 1451 CE to 1526 CE. It was Delhi’s first Afghan ruling dynasty, which ended the political instability of the Sayyid Dynasty and provided new energy to the Sultanate. The Lodi rulers originally belonged to the Shahu Khel branch of the Ghilzai tribe residing in the Sulaiman Mountain region. This community also had a mixture of Tajik and Turkic blood.
Until the 14th century, these Afghan communities were relatively poor and obscure, whose livelihood was primarily based on cattle rearing. From time to time, they would also raid the nearby prosperous regions. Mahmud of Ghazni, recognizing their martial nature, organized them as a military force. During the Ghurid rulers, they were considered mountain rebels, while the Ilbari rulers of the Delhi Sultanate included them in their army and used them for the defense and expansion of outposts.
The reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the political influence of Afghans increased when an Afghan governor briefly became Sultan in Daulatabad. During the reign of Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1379 CE), Malik Vir was appointed governor of Bihar, which strengthened the administrative grip of Afghans. Subsequently, Daulat Khan Lodi (1412–1414) obtained supreme power in Delhi, although he did not assume the title of Sultan. In the final years of the Sayyid Dynasty, Afghan nobles had become the decisive power, and this process eventually culminated in the ascension of Bahlol Lodi to power.
Bahlol Lodi (1451–1489 CE)
Bahlol Lodi was the son of Malik Kala and grandson of Malik Bahram. He was the nephew of Sultan Shah Lodi and became the ruler of Lahore and Sirhind after Sultan Shah’s death. By 1451 CE, he had established control over numerous regions including Multan, Lahore, Dipalpur, Samana, Sirhind, Sunam and Hisar Firoza.
On April 19, 1451, he ascended the throne of Delhi with the title Abu Muzaffar Bahlol Shah. The biggest challenge of his reign was the Sharqi rulers of Jaunpur, with whom conflict continued constantly.
Major Achievements
Policy of Strengthening the Center: Bahlol Lodi adopted diplomatic measures to strengthen the weakening central authority. He won over nobles and chieftains by giving them jagirs, rewards and honors. By giving special importance to Afghan nobles, he ensured military and administrative stability. Bahlol established the supremacy of the center by imprisoning Wazir Hamid Khan, who had become an independent power center.
Suppression of Rebellions: Bahlol harshly suppressed the independence declared by Hindu landlords and local rulers in the Doab region. The governor of Bengal, Tughril Khan, was defeated and killed, and his supporters were publicly punished in Lakhnauti. Subsequently, his son Bughra Khan was appointed governor of Bengal.
The Sultanate was also expanded by defeating rebels such as Ahmad Khan of Mewat, Dariya Khan of Sambhal, Isa Khan of Koil and Qutub Khan of Rewari. Through the conquest of Chittorgarh, the influence of the Delhi Sultanate also increased in Rajput territories.
Conquest of Jaunpur: In 1486 CE, Hussain Shah Sharqi was defeated and Jaunpur was annexed to the Delhi Sultanate. This victory was extremely important politically, economically and culturally. To maintain administrative control, Bahlol appointed his son Barbak Shah as his representative there.
Security of the Northwestern Frontier: To deal with Mongol invasions, Bahlol appointed his son Muhammad Khan as the governor of Multan. The Mongol invasions of 1478 and 1485 were effectively resisted, keeping the northwestern frontier secure.
Gwalior Campaign: The ruler of Gwalior, Kirat Singh, was defeated and a large amount of wealth was obtained, which strengthened the economic position of the Sultanate.
Administrative and Social Contributions
Bahlol Lodi treated Afghan nobles as equals and addressed them as “Masnad-e-Ali.” He introduced ‘Bahloli coins’, which remained in circulation until the Akbar period. His court included nobles from both Hindu and Muslim communities, reflecting his inclusive policy.
Death and Assessment
Bahlol Lodi died in July 1489 CE while returning from Gwalior. During his reign, the Delhi Sultanate gained stability and organization, which laid the foundation for further administrative development.
Sikandar Lodi (1489–1517 CE)
Sikandar Lodi’s original name was Nizam Khan. He was the second son of Bahlol Lodi and became Sultan with the name Sikandar Shah on July 17, 1489 CE. Initially, he faced opposition from his brother Barbak Shah and uncle Alam Khan, which he pacified through diplomacy.
Major Achievements
Suppression of Rebellions and Expansion: Sikandar defeated his uncle Alam Khan and brother Barbak Shah to centralize power. In 1494 CE, he defeated Hussain Shah Sharqi and incorporated Bihar into the Sultanate. He secured the eastern frontier by making a treaty with Alauddin Hussain Shah of Bengal.
Rajput Conquests and Establishment of Agra: The Sultanate expanded to Rajasthan and Central India by gaining control over Dholpur, Narwar, Nagaur and Mandrel. The establishment of Agra city in 1504 CE and making it the capital in 1506 CE was a far-sighted decision.
Administrative Reforms: Land measurement was standardized through the ‘Gaz-e-Sikandari’. Internal trade was encouraged by removing grain and commercial taxes. The intelligence system was strengthened and free food was arranged for the poor.
Religious Policy and Controversy: Sikandar Lodi’s religious policy is considered strict. He reimposed the jizya tax and demolished some temples, which made his image controversial.
Patronage of Learning and Arts: He wrote Persian poetry under the pen name ‘Gulrukhi’. He had Ayurvedic texts translated into Persian and patronized scholars.
Death
Sikandar Lodi died in Agra on November 21, 1517 CE, after which a succession struggle began.
Ibrahim Lodi (1517–1526 CE)
Ibrahim Lodi was the son of Sikandar, but he did not prove to be as capable a ruler as his predecessors. During his reign, discontent increased among Afghan nobles and Rana Sanga increased his power in western North India.
Major Events
Gwalior and Jaunpur: Gwalior was subjugated and his brother Jalal Khan, who had declared independence in Jaunpur, was defeated and sentenced to death.
Conflict with Rana Sanga: The defeat at the hands of Rana Sanga in the Battle of Khatoli (1517–1518) exposed Ibrahim’s weak position.
Weaknesses
Ibrahim’s harsh and oppressive policy alienated Afghan nobles from him. Daulat Khan Lodi and Alam Khan invited Babur to invade India.
First Battle of Panipat (1526 CE)
On April 21, 1526, the First Battle of Panipat took place between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi. Ibrahim’s large army was defeated by Babur’s organized army, artillery and Tulughma warfare method. With Ibrahim’s death, the Delhi Sultanate ended and the Mughal Dynasty was established.
Overall Assessment
The history of the Lodi Dynasty is the story of the reorganization, administrative reforms and eventual decline of the Delhi Sultanate. Bahlol Lodi provided organization and stability, Sikandar Lodi gave the administration a modern form, while Ibrahim Lodi’s policy failures paved the way for Babur. With the fall of the Lodi Dynasty, a new Mughal era began in India, which shaped Indian history for the next three centuries.
