Lodi dynasty
Lodi dynasty Delhi Sultanate | |||||||||||
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1451–1526 | |||||||||||
Ibrahim Lodi (last) | |||||||||||
History | |||||||||||
• Established | 1451 | ||||||||||
• Disestablished | 1526 | ||||||||||
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The Lodi dynasty (Persian: سلسله لودی) was a dynasty that ruled the Delhi Sultanate from 1451 to 1526.[4] It was the fifth and final dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, and was founded by Bahlul Khan Lodi when he replaced the Sayyid dynasty.[5]
Bahlul Lodi
Following the reign of the Sayyids, the
After the last Sayyid ruler of
Sikandar Khan Lodi
Sikandar Khan Lodi (r. 1489–1517) (born Nizam Khan), the second son of Bahlul, succeeded him after his death on 17 July 1489 and took up the title Sikandar Shah. His father nominated him as his successor and he was crowned sultan on 15 July 1489. He founded Agra in 1504 and built mosques. He shifted the capital from Delhi to Agra.[10] He patronized trade and commerce. He was a reputed poet, composing under Guru's pen name.[clarification needed] He was also a patron of learning and ordered translations of Sanskrit works in medicine into Persian.[11] He curbed the individualistic tendencies of his Pashtun nobles and compelled them to submit their accounts to a state audit. He was thus able to infuse vigour and discipline in the administration. His greatest achievement was the conquest and annexation of Bihar from the Sharqis.[12]
During conflict and peace, Sikandar felt the urge to destroy temples.[13] He also forbade the yearly procession of the famed Muslim martyr Masud Salar's spear,[13] while forbidding Muslim women from venerating mausoleums of Muslim saints.[13] Sikander allowed the execution of a Brahman, who had held the equal accuracy of his faith compared to Islam.[13]
Ibrahim Lodi
Ibrahim Khan Lodi (r. 1517–1526), the eldest son of Sikandar, was the last Lodi Sultan of Delhi.[14] He had the qualities of an excellent warrior, but he was rash and impolitic in his decisions and actions. His attempt at royal absolutism was premature and his policy of sheer repression unaccompanied by measures to strengthen the administration and increase the military resources was sure to prove a failure.[citation needed]
Ibrahim faced numerous rebellions and kept out the opposition for almost a decade. He was engaged in warfare with the Afghans and the
Fall of the empire
SULTANATE
By the time Ibrahim ascended the throne, the political structure in the Lodi dynasty had dissolved due to abandoned trade routes and the depleted treasury. The
In order to take revenge of the insults done by Ibrahim, the governor of Lahore,
Afghan factionalism
Another problem Ibrahim faced when he ascended the throne in 1517 were the
Another factor that caused uprisings against Ibrahim was his lack of an apparent successor. His own uncle, Alam Khan, betrayed Ibrahim by supporting the Mughal invader Babur.[14]
Rajput invasions and internal rebellions
Battle of Panipat, 1526
After being assured of the cooperation of Alam Khan and
The new usage of guns allowed small armies to make large gains on enemy territory. Small parties of skirmishers who had been dispatched simply to test enemy positions and tactics, were making inroads into India. Babur, however, had survived two revolts, one in Kandahar and another in Kabul, and was careful to pacify the local population after victories, following local traditions and aiding widows and orphans.[citation needed]
Despite both being
Accession of Babur and the Mughals
After Ibrahim's death, Babur named himself emperor over Ibrahim's territory, instead of placing Alam Khan (Ibrahim's uncle) on the throne. Ibrahim's death marked the end of the Lodi dynasty and led to the establishment of the Mughal Empire in India. The remaining Lodi territories were absorbed into the new Mughal Empire. Babur continued to engage in military campaigns.[18]
Mahmud Lodi
Ibrahim Lodi's brother, Mahmud Lodi, declared himself Sultan and continued to resist Mughal forces. He provided around 4,000 Afghan soldiers to Rana Sanga in the Battle of Khanwa in 1527.[19] After that defeat, Mahmud Lodi fled eastwards and again posed a challenge to Babur two years later at the Battle of Ghaghra in 1529.
Religion and architecture
Like their predecessors, the Lodhi sultans stylized themselves as the deputies of the Abbasid Caliphs, and thus acknowledged the authority of a united Caliphate over the Muslim world. They provided cash stipends and granted revenue-free lands (including entire villages) to the Muslim ulama, the Sufi shaikhs, the claimed descendants of Muhammad, and to the members of his Quraysh tribe.[20]
The Muslim subjects of the Lodis were required to pay the zakat tax for religious merit, and the non-Muslims were required to pay the jizya tax for receiving state protection. In some parts of the Sultanate, the Hindus were required to pay an additional pilgrimage tax. Nevertheless, several Hindu officers formed a part of the Sultanate's revenue administration.[20]
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TheSikandar Lodi in 1516.[22]
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Lodhi Gardenstombs
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Tomb of Ibrahim Lodi, last ruler of the Lodi dynasty.
See also
Delhi Sultanate | |
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Ruling dynasties | |
1246–1266 | |
Ghiyas ud din Balban | 1266–1287 |
Muiz ud din Qaiqabad | 1287–1290 |
Shamsuddin Kayumars | 1290 |