Rise of Provincial Dynasties: Lodis | History Optional for UPSC PDF Download

The Sharqis

Origin of the Jaunpur Kingdom:

• Founded by Malik Sarwar, a noble during the reign of Firuz Tughlaq.
• Initially served as the wazir (minister) and later appointed to the eastern regions with the title Malik-us-Sharq (Lord of the East). His successors were known as the Sharqis.

Capital and Architecture:

• Sharqi sultans established their capital at Jaunpur, located in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
• They enhanced the city with impressive palaces, mosques, and mausoleums.
• Developed a unique architectural style characterized by tall gates and large arches, differentiating from the Delhi style.

Patrons of Culture:

• The Sharqi sultans were strong supporters of learning and culture, earning Jaunpur the nickname “Shiraz of the East.”
• Notable figures like Malik Muhammad Jaisi, who wrote the Hindi epic Padmavat, flourished in Jaunpur during this period.

Extent and Challenges:

• At its peak, the Sharqi sultanate stretched from Aligarh in western Uttar Pradesh to Darbhanga in northern Bihar, and from the Nepal border in the north to Bundelkhand in the south.
• The rulers aimed to conquer Delhi but were unsuccessful.
• With the rise of the Lodi dynasty in Delhi in the mid-fifteenth century, the Sharqi rulers faced increasing challenges, losing much of western Uttar Pradesh and failing in their attempts to capture Delhi.

Significance of the Sharqi Period:

• The Sharqi rulers upheld law and order over a vast region following the decline of the Delhi government.
• They prevented the rulers of Bengal from expanding their influence into eastern Uttar Pradesh.
• Established a lasting cultural tradition that persisted beyond their reign.
• In 1484, Bahlul Lodi of Delhi conquered Jaunpur, marking the end of the Sharqi kingdom.

The Lodi (1451-1526)

Background:

• The Lodi dynasty was an Afghan dynasty that ruled parts of northern India, including Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa(now in modern-day Pakistan), from 1451 to 1526.
• It was founded by Bahlul Khan Lodi, who replaced the earlier Sayyid dynasty.
• Before establishing his rule, Bahlul Lodi was called in to help the Sayyids in Delhi, who were threatened by the rulers of Jaunpur and Malwa.
• After aiding the Sayyids, Bahlul Lodi took control of Delhi and was formally crowned in 1451.
• The Lodis dominated the upper Ganga Valley and Punjab from the mid-15th century onward.
• Unlike earlier Delhi rulers who were Turks, the Lodis were Afghans.
• Although Afghans formed a significant part of the army in the Delhi Sultanate, few Afghan nobles held important positions. This led figures like Bakhtiyar Khalji to seek opportunities in Bihar and Bengal.
• The rise of Afghan rule in Malwa and the important positions held by Afghans in the Bahmani kingdom demonstrated their growing influence in north India.

Bahlul Khan Lodi (1451–89)

Sultan Bahlul Lodi: The Founder of the Lodi Dynasty:

• Background: Sultan Bahlul Lodi, the founder of the Lodi dynasty, came from humble beginnings. He belonged to the Shahu Khel clan of the Lodis, an important Afghan branch.
• His father, Malik Kala, was killed by enemies, leaving young Bahlul an orphan. He was raised by his uncle, Islam Khan, who had risen to power under the first Sayyid ruler, Khizr Khan.
• Rise to Power: Bahlul grew up to be ambitious and a natural leader. Islam Khan married his daughter to Bahlul and named him his successor. After Islam Khan's death, Bahlul became the governor of Sirhind.
• His influence grew, and he was awarded the title of Khan-i-Jahan and control over Punjab for helping Sultan Muhammad Shah against Malwa.
• Seizing Delhi: Bahlul attempted to capture Delhi twice but failed. His opportunity came when the powerful wazir, Hamid Khan, summoned him to Delhi. With Sultan Alauddin Alam Shah away, Bahlul imprisoned and killed Hamid Khan, ascending the throne on April 19, 1451 CE.
• He took the title Sultan Abul Muzaffar Bahlul Shah Ghazi and had his name proclaimed in the Khutba.
• Conquest of Jaunpur: One of Bahlul's significant achievements was the conquest of Jaunpur. Mahmud Shah Sharqi, the Jaunpur ruler, attacked Delhi to avenge his father-in-law's disgrace.
• Bahlul quickly returned from an expedition and defeated Mahmud Shah at Narela near Delhi. Despite Mahmud's subsequent attacks, peace was never fully established.
• After Mahmud Shah's death in 1457 CE, his son Muhammad Shah continued the fight against Bahlul. Muhammad Shah was killed by his brother Husain Shah, who also struggled against Bahlul.
• Bahlul conquered Jaunpur but did not annex it. Instead, he placed his son Barbak Shah on the throne in 1486 CE, maintaining Jaunpur's separate identity while keeping it linked to Delhi.
• This conquest proved Bahlul's military prowess and raised his prestige among other rulers. It added to his resources and showcased his abilities.
• Bahlul invited Afghans from Roh to strengthen his position against the Sharqi dynasty. Their arrival significantly changed the Muslim society in India.
• In his final year, Bahlul led a successful expedition against Gwalior. After receiving a large gift from Raja Man Singh, he fell ill and died on the way back to Delhi in July 1489 CE.
• Bahlul Lodi was remembered as a just and moderate ruler who successfully expanded his kingdom and left a lasting impact on Indian history.

Sikandar Lodi (1489-1517)

Bahlul Lodi's Succession and Sikandar Shah's Reign:

• Bahlul Lodi nominated his third son, Nizam Khan, as his successor. However, after his death, Afghan nobles supported the claims of either Barbak Shah, Bahlul's second son, or Azam Humayun, the son of Bahlul's deceased eldest son, Khwaja Bayezid.
• Nizam Khan's claim was disputed due to his mother's background, but he eventually gained majority support and ascended the throne on July 17, 1489 CE, as Sikandar Shah.
• Sikandar Lodi, a contemporary of Mahmud Begarha of Gujarat and Rana Sanga of Mewar, prepared the Delhi Sultanate for upcoming power struggles with these states.

Controlling Nobles:

• Sikandar Lodi aimed to subdue Afghan sardars who viewed the sultan as merely a peer.
• He asserted his superiority by making nobles stand before him and required them to honor royal farmans.
• Jagirdars had to submit accounts regularly, with severe penalties for corruption.
• An effective espionage system kept him informed about nobles, leading to a perception of his almost supernatural awareness.
• Sikandar was successful in controlling the nobles without being cruel or disrespectful.
• Despite his efforts, he had limited success in completely controlling the nobles.
• After Bahlul Lodi's death, the kingdom was initially divided among his sons and relatives, a practice Sikandar struggled to change.

Administration:

• Sikandar Shah was diligent, generous, just, and well-intentioned, working hard to oversee administration.
• He emphasized justice, ensuring safe highways and cheap prices for essential commodities.
• He took a keen interest in agriculture, abolishing octroi duty on grains and establishing a new measurement system.
• His efforts maintained peace and order, contributing to the economic prosperity of the state.
• His reign was marked by peace, order, prosperity, and progress, restoring stability after Sultan Firuz Shah's death.

Orthodox Religious Policies:

• Sikandar Lodi strictly prohibited practices against Islamic law, re-imposed jizyah on Hindus, and demolished some Hindu temples.
• He encouraged Hindu conversions to Islam and attempted to destroy mosques built by Sharqi rulers, although he later reversed some orders.

Liberal Policies:

• Sikandar supported scholars and translators, promoting Persian translations of Sanskrit works.
• He extended his dominion by conquering Dholpur and Gwalior, and founded the city of Agra in 1506.
• Agra became a significant town and the second capital of the Lodis.
• His interest in eastern Rajasthan and Malwa was evident in his protection of the Khan of Nagaur and attempts to influence Ranthambhor.

Legacy:

• Sikandar Lodi was a successful ruler who expanded and strengthened the Delhi Sultanate.
• He died on November 21, 1517 CE, after falling ill on a trip to Bayana.

Ibrahim Khan Lodi (1517–1526)

• Ibrahim Khan Lodi, the youngest son of Sikandar Lodi, was the last Sultan of the Lodi dynasty in Delhi.
• He faced many rebellions and managed to fend off opposition for nearly a decade. His reign was marked by continuous warfare against the Afghans and the Mughals.
• Unlike his father, Ibrahim Lodi (reigned 1517-1526) encountered immediate hostility from the Afghan nobility upon ascending the throne in 1517.
• Surrounded by powerful nobles intent on undermining the central authority, Ibrahim found it challenging to maintain control.
• Following Sikandar's death, the nobles decided to divide the Empire between Ibrahim Lodi and his brother Prince Jalal Khan Lodi, the governor of Kalpi.
• Ibrahim was compelled to accept this division, which weakened the central authority.
• Eventually, some senior nobles criticized this division and persuaded Ibrahim to rescind the agreement.
• Despite efforts to convince Jalal Khan to withdraw his claim, the old nobles rallied around Ibrahim.
• Ibrahim sent Azam Humayun Sarwani against Raja Bikrarnajit of Gwalior because Jalal Khan had taken refuge there.
• Jalal Khan's escape from Gwalior raised suspicions about the loyalty of the old nobles, leading to the imprisonment of some.
• This imprisonment sparked widespread rebellion in the eastern regions.
• In response, Ibrahim promoted his favorites to key court positions and appointed others as governors in the provinces.
• Powerful governors like Darya Khan Nuhani in Bihar became rallying points for dissatisfied nobles.
• Meanwhile,Babur occupied Bhera, and Daulat Khan Lodi, the governor of trans-Sutlej Punjab, failed to reclaim it.
• When summoned to court, Daulat Khan revolted against Ibrahim and allied with Babur, declaring Ibrahim's uncle Alam Khan Lodi as the new Sultan.
• Rana Sanga and Babur also formed an alliance against Ibrahim.
• The rising power of Rana Sanga in Malwa and his expansion towards Agra and Bayana indicated a looming conflict between Mewar and the Lodis.
• Rana Sanga defeated the Lodis several times, weakening Ibrahim's position.
• In November 1525 CE,Babur launched his Indian campaign from Kabul, joined by Daulat Khan,Dilawar Khan, and Alam Khan, easily conquering Punjab.
• Babur reached Panipat, where he faced Ibrahim in battle.
• The first battle of Panipat occurred on April 21, 1526 CE. Ibrahim fought valiantly but was ultimately defeated and killed.
• This marked the end of the Lodi dynasty and the Delhi Sultanate, paving the way for the Mughal Dynasty in India.