Medieval History notes · Chapter 7 of 15 · Delhi Sultanate · 1414–1451

Sayyid dynasty

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At a glance

The Sayyids ruled a shrunken Delhi Sultanate after Timur’s invasion. Historians treat the period as an interregnum — its rulers were “glorified local chiefs” rather than kings of Hindustan.

Who founded the Sayyid dynasty?

Khizr Khan.

The family claimed descent from the Prophet — hence Sayyid.
Seen as an “interregnum” between the Tughlaqs and the Lodis; royal authority rarely reached beyond Delhi and nearby districts.
Its rulers were “glorified local chiefs” rather than kings of Hindustan.

What were the dates of the Sayyid dynasty?

1414–1451.

Why is Sayyid rule called an interregnum?

Weak rulers whose authority was limited to Delhi’s surroundings — “glorified local chiefs”.

Khizr Khan (1414–21) — Timur’s governor in Punjab and Multan. He ruled as a deputy of Timur’s son Shah Rukh, did not take the title Sultan, and styled himself Rayat-i-Ala.
Mubarak Shah (1421–34):
took the title Shah and issued coins in his own name
quelled the rebellion of Jasrath Khokhar in Punjab
his court historian Yahya bin Ahmad Sirhindi wrote Tarikh-i-Mubarak Shahi
murdered in 1434
Muhammad Shah (1434–45) — weak; relied on Bahlul Lodi, governor of Sirhind, to beat back an attack by the Sultan of Malwa.
Alam Shah (1445–51) — voluntarily abdicated, retired to Badaun, and handed Delhi to the Lodis (Bahlul Lodi).

Khizr Khan was whose representative?

Timur’s (and later Shah Rukh’s) governor in Punjab and Multan.

Which title did Khizr Khan use instead of Sultan?

Rayat-i-Ala.

Who wrote Tarikh-i-Mubarak Shahi?

Yahya bin Ahmad Sirhindi.

Mubarak Shah Sayyid quelled whose rebellion?

Jasrath Khokhar’s, in Punjab.

Who was the last Sayyid ruler?

Alam Shah (1445–51), who abdicated and handed Delhi to Bahlul Lodi.

Which governor helped Muhammad Shah Sayyid defend Delhi?

Bahlul Lodi, governor of Sirhind.

Octagonal tombs with an arched verandah — such as the tombs of Mubarak Shah and Muhammad Shah (the latter in Delhi’s Lodi Garden) — are typical of the Sayyid–Lodi period.

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