Sayyid and Lodi Dynasty : In the subject of Ancient and Medieval India, the Sayyid (1414โ1451 CE) and Lodi (1451โ1526 CE) dynasties represent the later phase of the Delhi Sultanate, marked by political instability and attempts at consolidation. While the Sayyids struggled to maintain authority, the Lodis, especially under Bahlul and Sikandar Lodi, worked to strengthen administration, until the dynasty ended with Ibrahim Lodiโs defeat by Babur in 1526.
Sayyid dynasty (1414โ1451)
Introduction:
- The Sultans of the Sayyid dynasty claimed to be descendants of the Prophet Muhammad.
- They belonged to the Shia sect.
- Jalaluddin Bukhari, a Sufi saint of Bukhara, identified Khizr Khan as a descendant of the Prophet.
1. Khizr Khan (1414โ1421 AD)
- Founder of the Sayyid Dynasty.
- Lineage: Son of Malik Suleman; grandson of Mardan Daulat (an Amir under Firoz Tughlaq).
- Originally the Iqtadar of Multan during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Shah.
- Ally of Timur: As a reward for his help during Timur’s invasion, he was appointed governor of Lahore, Multan, and Dipalpur.
- In 1414 AD, after the death of Sultan Mahmud, he defeated Daulat Khan to occupy the throne of Delhi.
- Titles: He did not adopt the title of “Sultan,” preferring to be called Rayat-i-Ala (The Royal Banner).
- He continued to use the names of Tughlaq rulers on his coins.
- He considered himself a representative of Shahrukh (Timur’s son), read the Khutba in his name, and sent annual tribute to him.
- Re-annexed Punjab, Multan, and Sindh into the Delhi Sultanate.
- His book Darar-e-Jabbat was actually his will.
- According to Tarikh-e-Ferishta: “People were happy under his rule; upon his death, everyone mourned.” wearing black clothes.”
2. Mubarak Shah (1421โ1434 AD)
- Full Name: Muizzuddin Mubarak Shah.
- Adopted the title of Sultan; issued coins and read the Khutba in his own name.
- Established the city of Mubarakabad on the banks of the Yamuna.
- Patronized the historian Yahya bin Sirhindi, author of Tarikh-e-Mubarak Shahi.
- Faced conflicts with Jasrath (North-West) and Alp Khan (Gwalior).
- He was assassinated in 1434 AD by his Wazir, Malik Sarwar-ul-Mulk (a convert from Hinduism to Islam).
3. Muhammad Shah (1434โ1445 AD)
- Full Name: Muhammad bin Farid Khan.
- Nephew of Mubarak Shah.
- Ruled under the dominance of Wazir Sarwar-ul-Mulk for 6 months, then had him killed with the help of Kamal-ul-Mulk.
- Established the city of Muhammadabad near Delhi.
- Addressed Bahlul Lodi as his “son” and conferred upon him the titles of Khan-e-Jahan and Khan-e-Khana.
4. Alauddin Alam Shah (1445โ1451 AD)
- The last ruler of the Sayyid Dynasty.
- Following a dispute with his Wazir, Hamid Khan, he voluntarily abdicated the throne.
- Handed over power to Bahlul Lodi and retired to his Jagir in Badaun, where he lived until his death.
- In 1251 AD, the Sayyid dynasty ended, leading to the foundation of the Lodi dynasty.
Sayyid Period Architecture
- The architecture of this period reflects the political instability and economic decline following Timur’s invasion.
- Context: Financial distress led to a decrease in large-scale architectural interest.
- Focus: Primarily focused on the construction of octagonal tombs.
- Features of Octagonal Tombs:
- Use of blue tiles for decoration.
- Lotus motifs atop the domes.
- Use of decorative “Guldastas” (flower-shaped pinnacles).
- Key Examples:
- Tomb of Mubarak Shah Sayyid
- Tomb of Muhammad Shah Sayyid
Lodi Dynasty (1451โ1526 AD)
Introduction:
- The final dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.
- The first Afghan dynasty to rule Delhi.
- Key Rulers: Bahlul Lodi, Sikandar Lodi, and Ibrahim Lodi.
- Historian R.P. Tripathi described the Lodi governance as a “confederate state.”
1. Bahlul Lodi (1451โ1489 AD)
Early Life:
- Lineage: Father โ Malik Kala; Uncle โ Sultan Shah (Islam Khan); Grandfather โ Malik Bahram Lodi (a horse trader during Firoz Tughlaq’s time).
- Birth: Born via Caesarean section; childhood name was Ballu.
- Tribal Roots: Belonged to the Shahu-khail branch of the Ghilzai Afghan tribe.
- Rise to Power: Appointed Governor of Sirhind by the Sayyid Sultan Muhammad Shah.
- Titles: Received the title “Khan-e-Khana” for assisting against Sultan Mahmud Khalji of Malwa.
- Coronation: Had two coronations; adopted the title “Ghazi.”
- Established the Lodi Dynasty in 1451 AD.
Administration and Theory of Kingship:
- Source: Tarikh-e-Daudi (written by Abdullah Khan).
- Principle: “First among equals” (Primus inter pares).
- Humility: He did not sit on a throne in court; instead, he sat on a carpet (Galicha) with his nobles.
- Policy toward Nobles: Granted large Jagirs to Afghan nobles without strict audits.
- Address: Referred to his nobles as “Masnad-e-Ali” (my sons).
- Conflict Resolution: If nobles were dissatisfied, he would remove his turban and say, “If I am unworthy, appoint someone else as sultan.”
- Religious View: Told the Ulema, “We are all servants of God.”
- Comparison: Historians compare his humility to that of the Roman Emperor Augustus.
Economic Policy:
- Issued copper coins called “Bahloli” (Ratio: 1 Tanka = 40 Bahloli). These remained in circulation until Akbar’s reign.
Military Campaigns:
- Jaunpur Campaign (1479 AD):
- Defeated Husain Shah Sharqi of the Sharqi Dynasty.
- In 1484 AD, rather than annexing it directly, he appointed his son Barbak Shah as the Governor of Jaunpur.
- Campaign against Rebellious Lords: Subjugated various feudal lords, including Ahmad Khan Mewati.
- Multan Campaign (1468โ69): Failed against the Langahs due to a simultaneous Sharqi invasion.
- Malwa Campaign: Failed against Ghyasuddin Khalji.
- Mewar Campaign: Described in Tarikh-e-Salatin-e-Afghana and by Colonel Tod.
- Gwalior Campaign (1486โ87):
- Raja Kirtisingh (Ramkaran) accepted suzerainty.
- Paid a tribute of 8 million (80 lakh) Tankas.
Death:
- Died on July 12, 1489 AD, due to heatstroke while returning from the Gwalior campaign.
2. Sikandar Lodi (1489โ1517 AD)
Basic Information:
- Real Name: Nizam Khan / Nizam Shah.
- Mother: Jaiband (a Hindu goldsmith woman); referred to as Hema in some texts.
- Succession: Faced a dispute with his brother Barbak Shah; received blessings from Sufi Samauddin.
- Legacy: Regarded as the greatest ruler of the Lodi dynasty.
Theory of Kingship:
- Rejected Bahlul’s tribal model and established an organized imperial administration.
- Centralized power and strictly controlled the Afghan nobles.
- Unlike his father, he sat on a throne.
- Discipline: Mandated strict audits of Jagirs and punished corruption. Nobles were required to follow rigid protocols in the Sultan’s presence.
- Protocol: Governors had to travel 6 Kos (approx. 12 miles) outside their territory to receive royal decrees (Farman).
- Quote: “If I were to seat one of my slaves in a palanquin, my nobles would carry him on their shoulders at my command.”
Military Campaigns:
- Jalal Khan & Azam Humayun: Defeated rivals to consolidate power.
- Conquests: Captured Kalpi and Kanauj.
- Jaunpur (1491 AD): Annexed Jaunpur into the Sultanate after defeating Husain Shah Sharqi.
- Bengal Treaty: Signed a treaty of equality with Alauddin Husain Shah, securing control over Bihar, Tirhut, and Saran.
- Gwalior: Mansingh Tomar accepted his suzerainty.
Religious Policy:
- Fanaticism: Reimposed Jizya and pilgrim taxes.
- Persecution: Burned a Brahmin named Bodhan alive for stating that Hinduism and Islam are both true paths.
- Temple Destruction: Destroyed the Jwalamukhi temple (Nagarkot) and used the pieces of the idol as weights for butchers to weigh meat.
- Restrictions: Banned Hindus from bathing at the Yamuna Ghats and prohibited Muslim women from visiting shrines (Mazaars).
- Contradictions: Released 500 prisoners at the request of Jain Hans Suri and donated land to Jain monk Jabunji.
Cultural Achievements:
- Interests: Fond of singing and the Shehnai.
- Music: Commissioned Lahjat-e-Sikandarshahi (the first work on Indian music in Persian).
- Poetry: Wrote Persian poems under the pen name “Gulrukhi.”
- Science: His Wazir, Mian Bhuva, translated Sanskrit Ayurvedic texts into Persian as Farhang-e-Sikandari (or Tibbe-Sikandari).
- Foundation of Agra (1504 AD): Established Agra and made it his capital in 1506 AD.
Administrative Achievements:
- Intelligence: Established a highly efficient spy network (legend says he used “ghosts” because he knew everything).
- Land Measurement: Introduced Gazz-e-Sikandari (32 inches), which remained the standard unit until 1586 AD.
- Economy: Abolished octroi (transit duties) and Zakat on grain to lower prices.
Death: Died in 1517 AD in Agra due to throat cancer.
3. Ibrahim Lodi (1517โ1526 AD)
Preliminary Information
- Ancestry: Eldest son of Sikandar Lodi.
- Coronation: His coronation was held twice.
- Division of Power: He initially granted Kalpi and Jaunpur to his brother, Jalal Khan, but this led to a rebellion.
- Opposition: Khan-e-Jahan Lodi opposed the partition of the empire.
Rebellions and Campaigns
- The Rebellion of Jalal Khan:
- Jalal Khan declared himself “Sultan Jalaluddin” in Kalpi.
- He fled to Gwalior and then to Garhkantaka.
- He was eventually captured by the Bhils, and Ibrahim ordered his execution at the Hansi Fort.
- Victory over Gwalior:
- Following the death of the ruler Mansingh Tomar, his son Vikramaditya surrendered.
- Vikramaditya was granted the jagir (fiefdom) of Samsabad.
- Vikramjit (another son of Mansingh) was later killed in the Battle of Panipat.
- Conflict with Rana Sanga (1517โ18 AD):
- Ibrahim Lodi suffered defeats at the Battle of Khatoli (Ghatoli) and the Battle of Bari (Dholpur) against the Rajput forces.
- Conflict with Babur:
- The First Battle of Panipat (April 21, 1526):
- Ibrahim was defeated and killed in action.
- According to Tarikh-e-Jahani, he was the first Sultan of Delhi to die on the battlefield.
Other Facts
- Administrative Harshness: He imprisoned Mian Bhuva, who had served as Wazir during Sikandar Lodi’s reign.
- Famous Quote: “Kingship knows no kinship” (A King has no relatives).
- Historical Evaluation (R.P. Tripathi): “The Afghan empire was a potential constitutional monarchy in India, but it failed due to the discontent of the nobles (Amirs).”
Lodi Dynasty Architecture
- During the Lodi period, architecture showed a declining trend compared to earlier Sultanate styles.
- The main architectural activity was the construction of tombs.
- Major Architectural Feature
- Introduction of the double dome.
- A double dome consists of an outer dome and an inner hollow dome.
- Reasons for Using Double Domes
- To strengthen the structure.
- To reduce the internal height of the dome.
- General Features of Lodi Tombs
- Simple and austere design, without elaborate decoration.
- Usually octagonal in shape with a diameter of about 15 meters.
- Supported by sloping verandahs.
Two Types of Tombs Built in this Period
- Octagonal tombs with verandahs
- Square tombs without verandahs
Important Examples
- Lodi Garden (Delhi)
- A complex containing several Lodi period tombs.
- Sikandar Lodiโs Tomb (Delhi)
- Built by Ibrahim Lodi in 1517โ1518 CE.
- Considered the first tomb in India with a double dome.
- Moth-ki-Masjid (Delhi)
- Built by Miyan Bhuwa, the wazir of Sikandar Lodi.
- The front wall has five arched gateways.
