Medieval History notes · Chapter 8 of 15 · Delhi Sultanate · 1451–1526
Lodi dynasty
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At a glance
- The Lodis were the first Afghan dynasty to rule Delhi. Bahlul revived the Sultanate, Sikandar strengthened it, and Ibrahim lost it to Babur at Panipat in 1526.
Timeline
- 1451 Bahlul Lodi takes Delhi
- 1479 Bahlul conquers Jaunpur from the Sharqis
- 1489 Sikandar Lodi succeeds
- 1504 Sikandar founds Agra
- 1517 Ibrahim Lodi succeeds
- 1524 Babur captures Lahore with Daulat Khan Lodi’s help
- 1526 First Battle of Panipat — Ibrahim killed; the Delhi Sultanate ends
Check yourself
When did Babur capture Lahore?
1524.
An Afghan dynasty
- Afghans (Pashtuns) by ethnicity — the first Afghan rulers of Delhi.
- Afghan nobles saw themselves as the Sultan’s tribal equals, not his servants, which shaped Lodi politics throughout.
Check yourself
Which was the first Afghan dynasty of Delhi?
The Lodi dynasty.
Bahlul Lodi (1451–89)
- Governor of Sirhind under the Sayyids; took Delhi in 1451.
- Treated the Afghan nobles as equals and avoided sitting on the throne in their presence.
- 1479:
- conquered Jaunpur from Husain Shah Sharqi — his greatest achievement
- tried to unify the Sultanate’s old domains
- took the title “Shah Ghazi”
- Issued the copper coin known as the Bahluli.
Check yourself
What was Bahlul Lodi’s greatest achievement?
The conquest of Jaunpur (1479).
Which title did Bahlul Lodi take after conquering Jaunpur?
“Shah Ghazi”.
Which copper coin is associated with Bahlul Lodi?
The Bahluli.
Sikandar Lodi (1489–1517)
- Also Nizam Khan; the most capable Lodi ruler.
- Founded Agra in 1504 and moved the capital from Delhi to Agra.
- Introduced the Gaz-i-Sikandari, a standard measuring scale (yard) for land.
- Wrote Persian poetry under the pen name Gulrukhi.
- Annexed Bihar from the Sharqis.
- Moth ki Masjid in Delhi was built in his reign.
- Patron of music: Lahjat-i-Sikandar Shahi, described as a masterpiece on singing, was compiled in his time (the mindmap names Nazim Ahmad in connection with it).
Check yourself
Who founded the Lodi dynasty?
Bahlul Lodi (1451).
Who was the most capable Lodi ruler?
Sikandar Lodi.
What was Sikandar Lodi’s original name?
Nizam Khan.
Who founded Agra, and when?
Sikandar Lodi, in 1504.
What was the Gaz-i-Sikandari?
A standard measuring scale (yard) for land, introduced by Sikandar Lodi.
What was Sikandar Lodi’s pen name?
Gulrukhi.
Moth ki Masjid was built during whose reign?
Sikandar Lodi’s.
What is Lahjat-i-Sikandar Shahi about?
Music — it is described as a masterpiece on singing.
Ibrahim Lodi (1517–26)
- Tried to assert royal authority over the proud Afghan nobles and alienated many of them.
- Was defeated by Rana Sanga of Mewar at Khatoli (1517–18).
- Punjab governor Daulat Khan Lodi felt marginalised and, with Ibrahim’s uncle Alam Khan, invited Babur.
- 1524: Babur captured the Lahore fort with Daulat Khan’s help.
- 1526: First Battle of Panipat — Babur defeated and killed Ibrahim Lodi.
- Ibrahim was the first (and only) Delhi Sultan to be killed on the battlefield.
Check yourself
Which governor of Punjab invited Babur?
Daulat Khan Lodi.
What happened at the First Battle of Panipat?
1526: Babur defeated and killed Ibrahim Lodi.
Which Delhi Sultan was killed on the battlefield?
Ibrahim Lodi — the only one.
All 15 chapters of Medieval History notes
- Arab conquest of Sindh8 sections
- Mahmud of Ghazni7 sections
- Muhammad Ghori9 sections
- Mamluk (Slave) dynasty10 sections
- Khalji dynasty13 sections
- Tughlaq dynasty7 sections
- Sayyid dynasty4 sections
- Lodi dynasty5 sections
- Bahmani kingdom10 sections
- Vijayanagara empire11 sections
- Karnata dynasty5 sections
- Oinwar dynasty5 sections
- Mughal empire15 sections
- Sur dynasty7 sections
- Marathas7 sections