BAHLOL LODI

• The Lodi dynasty founded by Bahlol Lodi lasted for about 76 years. The dynasty derives its name from an Afghan tribe known as Lodi.
• Bahlul’s grandfather, Malik Bahram Lodhi, was a Pashtun from Multan, he took service under the governor of Multan.
• Malik Bahram had a total of about five sons. Bahlul, the son of Malik Kala, the younger brother of Malik Sultan was married to Malik Sultan’s daughter.

LODI

• In his youth, Bahlul was involved in the trading of horses. After the death of Malik Sultan, he became the governor of Sirhind. He was allowed to add Lahore to his charge.
• Sultan Muhammad Shah conferred on him the title of Khan-i-Khanan. He also accepted Bahlul’s occupation over a large part of Punjab.
• In 1443, Bahlul attacked Delhi but he did not succeed. And made another unsuccessful attempt to capture Delhi in 1447. Bahlul ascended the throne of Delhi on 19 April 1451 and adopted the title of Bahlul Shah Ghazi.

 LODI

• Bahlol Lodi was a courageous soldier, successful general, a great diplomat and a realist.
• Bahlol won the confidence, cooperation and respect of the Afghan nobles with his very amiable behaviour. He gave them jagirs and high offices. He treated them as friends and considered himself as one of them.
• When he ascended the throne, the territory of his kingdom extended upto Palam and a few miles around Delhi. But the time he died at the age of eighty, his empire extended from Panipat to the frontiers of Bihar and included many important towns and cities. A part of Rajasthan was also under him.

EXPANSION

• In 1479, Sultan Bahlul Lodi defeated and annexed Sharqi dynasty based at Jaunpur. Bahlul did much to stop rebellions and uprisings in his territories, and extended his holdings over Gwalior, Jaunpur and upper Uttar Pradesh.
• His second son, Nizam Khan (Sikandar Lodi) was named successor, and a power struggle ensued upon his death in July 1489

KINGSHIP

• The Afghan theory of kingship differed from that of the Turks. The Afghans regarded the Sultan as one among themselves or only first among equals.
• Election of the Sultan by the nobility. Every Afghan noble claimed to be the commander of his forces. The Afghans accepted no privilege of the Sultan.
• But Bahlul suppressed those nobles, even Afghans, who dared to challenge his authority. The governors of Sialkot, Lahore and Dipalpur were forced to submit by Bahlul.