Lodhi Dynasty

The Lodhis/Lodis were the last ruling dynasty of the Sultanate period and the first to beheaded by the Afghans, who ruled over Sirhind when the Sayyids ruled in India.

Bahlol Lodhi (c. 1451 – 1489 CE)

• He founded the Lodhi dynasty.

• In c. 1476 CE, he defeated the sultan of Jaunpur and annexed it to Delhi Sultanate.

He also brought the ruler of Kalpi and Dholpur under the suzerainty of Delhi. He

annexed the Sharqui dynasty and introduced Bahlol copper coins.

• He died in c. 1489 CE and was succeeded by his son, Sikander Lodhi.

Sikander Lodhi (c. 1489 – 1517 CE)

• He was the greatest of the three Lodhi sovereigns. He brought the whole of Bihar

under his control and many Rajput chiefs were defeated. He attacked Bengal and

forced its ruler to conclude a treaty with him and extended his kingdom from

Punjab to Bihar.

• He was a good administrator, he built roads and many irrigation facilities were

provided for the benefit of the peasantry.

• He introduced the Gazz-i-Sikandari, a new measurement yardstick and a system

of auditing of accounts.

• Despite having applaudable qualities, he was a bigot and was intolerant towards

non-Muslims. Many temples were destroyed and he re-imposed Jiziya on non-

Muslims.

• In c. 1504 CE, he founded Agra and wrote Persian verses under the

name Gulrakhi.

Ibrahim Lodhi ( c. 1517 – 1526 CE)

• Sikander Lodhi was succeeded by his eldest son, Ibrahim Lodhi who was an

arrogant and repressive ruler. He insulted his nobles in the court and the ones

who revolted were put to death. Daulat Khan Lodhi, the governor of Punjab was

humiliated and disaffection between king and courtier became very common

during his reign. Greatly displeased by the attitude of Ibrahim Lodhi, Daulat Khan

Lodhi invited Babur to invade India. Babur marched against Delhi, defeated and

killed Ibrahim Lodhi in the First Battle of Panipat in c. 1526 CE. The Afghan

kingdom thus lasted for only seventy-five years.

Thus, the Sultanate of Delhi which had its birth on the battlefield of Tarain (c. 1192 CE), ended just a few miles away on the battlefield of Panipat (c. 1526 CE).