Introduction -
Bahlol Lodi was the founder of the Lodi dynasty, the last dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. He belonged to the Shahukhail class of the Lodi branch of the Ghilzai clan of Afghanistan. His father Malik Kala was the governor of Daurala during the time of Khiz Khan. Bahlol Lodi was born in Daurala. His mother died before he was born. After some time, his father was also killed in a fight with Niazi Afghans. Bahlol Lodi was brought up by his uncle Islam Khan who later married his daughter to Bahlol Lodi.
Challenges before Bahlol Lodi
1. Fragmented Empire
2. The prestige and power of the post of Sultan diminished
3. Challenge of former dynasties
4. Weak administration
5. factionalism of upper class in the court
6. Unrest in North-Western Province
7. Rebellion in Doab
8. Jaunpur's Sharqi state keeps an eye on Delhi
Achievements of Bahlol Lodi
1. Early Achievements: Coronation
After the death of Islam Khan, Sultan Mohammad Shah appointed Bahlol Lodi as the Subedar of Sirhind. Later Lahore was also brought under his control. Bahlol Lodi increased his power by conquering the surrounding areas. By defeating Mahmud Khilji's attack on Delhi, he obtained special favor from Sultan Muhammad Shah. Pleased with his service, Muhammad Shah addressed him as his son and gave him the title of Khan-e-Jahan. During the time of Sultan Alauddin Alam Shah, due to a dispute with his Wazir Hameed, when Alauddin left the power of Delhi and went to Badaun, the people of Delhi invited Bahlol and installed Bahlol Lodi on the throne of Delhi on 19 April 1451 AD.
After ascending the throne, he murdered Wazir Hameed Khan. But Sultan Alauddin Alam Shah was still the legal ruler of Delhi. Bahlol Lodi wrote to Alauddin Alam Shah, "Your great father brought me up. I am acting as your representative without removing your name from the Khutba." The Sultan replied - Since my father addressed you as his son, I consider you as an elder brother and abdicate the throne for you."
2. Formation of the early Afghan statehood
Due to their tribal traditions, the Afghan people were unaware of monarchical traditions. It was actually a great achievement of Bahlol, that he was successful in giving direction to the independent, fearless democratic thoughts and beliefs of the Afghans in accordance with the monarchical needs.
· Kingship given the cover of 'fraternity'
· Carpet in place of throne
· Not using the address Sultan - satisfied with the title of 'Masnad-e-Aala'
· No personal bodyguard
· Food: a way to restore confidence
· Going to his house to appease the angry rich
There were two circumstances behind his conduct. Firstly, he was successful in demonstrating that the Afghans are reducing the functions of the state through discharging the responsibilities of the government, but being a member of the Afghan community, they have the right of the community or 'Haqq-e-Biradari' in their own governance. are doing. Thus we find that Bahlol Lodi was successful in defining a kingship whose ideal was, 'Kingdom is brotherhood and brotherhood is kingship'.
3. Military Achievements
Campaign against Sharqi rulers of Jaunpur
Mahmud Shah, the Sharqi ruler of Jaunpur, was the son-in-law of the Sayyid dynasty ruler Alauddin. He considered his legitimate right to the throne of Delhi. Jaunpur was spread towards the east of Delhi. Therefore, expansion of Delhi was not possible without defeating Jaunpur. An important achievement of Bahlol Lodi was to defeat the Sharqi ruler of Jaunpur, Hussain Shah and annex Jaunpur to the Delhi Sultanate. The independent existence of Jaunpur ended during the time of Bahlol Lodi.
Campaign against unruly chieftains
In the conflict between the Lodi and Sharqi kings, the feudal lords of Doab, Mewat and around Delhi had shown their loyalty towards the Sharqi rulers, hence Bahlol Lodi decided to punish them. For this purpose, he campaigned against Mewat, Sambhal, Kol (Aligarh), Sakit (Etah), Etawah, Rapari, Bhogov and Gwalior. First of all Bahlol Lodi attacked Ahmed Khan Mewati. Ahmed Khan surrendered. After that he marched against Dariya Khan of Sambhal. Darya Khan also surrendered. Its seven parganas were merged into the Delhi Sultanate. Similarly, Isa Khan of Koil, Mubarak Khan of Sakit, Raja Pratap Singh of Mainpuri and Bhogagaon were forced to accept the subordination of Bahlol Lodi.
Multan campaign
In 1468-69, Bahlol Lodi campaigned against the Langas in Multan. The Langas had driven out Sheikh Yusuf, who was a descendant of the Sufi saint Sheikh Bahauddin Zakariya, from Multan. Took refuge at Sheikh Yusuf Bahlol Lodi. Therefore, to re-establish the prestige of Sheikh Yusuf in Multan, Bahlol Lodi attacked Multan. But Hussain returned after hearing the news of Shah Sharqi's attack on Delhi. Thus this campaign remained futile. It was during the Multan campaign that Bahlol Lodi adopted the policy of recruiting the Afghans of Roh into the Sultanate's army. As a result, a large number of Afghans came and settled in India.
Malwa Campaign
With the aim of expanding his empire, Bahlol campaigned against Malwa. At that time the ruler there was Ghiyasuddin Khilji (1469-1501 AD). He was a luxurious ruler. Bahlol destroyed Pargana Alhanpur of Malwa state. But could not conquer Malwa and returned to Delhi. Chanderi Governor Sheikh Khan rebuilt the city of Alhanpur.
Gwalior campaign
In 1486-87 AD, Bahlol Lodi campaigned against Gwalior. This was his last campaign. The ruler here was Raj Kirtisingh (Ramkaran). In 1479 AD, after being defeated by the Sharqi ruler Hussain Shah, Bahlol Lodi took refuge with the king of Gwalior. Raja Kirti Singh accepted the subjugation of Bahlol Lodi and gave him 80 lakh tankas as tribute. Closest to the borders of the Lodi Empire was the princely state of Dholpur which was under Gwalior. Bahlol Lodi moved against this also. About 100 maunds of gold were obtained from here. During this campaign, while returning to Delhi, Bahlol Lodi fell ill due to heatstroke and died on June 12, 1489.
4. Division of the state
In his last days in 1485 AD, Bahlol Lodi divided the empire among his sons and the Afghan castes. Under this division, the state of Jaunpur was given to his son Barbak Khan, Kara Manikpur to Mubarak Khan Nuhani, Bahraich to Sheikh Muhammad Kurka Farmuli, Lucknow and Kalpi to his grandson Azam Humayun, and Badaun area to Khan-e-Jahan Lodi. Declared his second son Nizam Khan (Sikander Lodi) as his successor and gave him the areas of Punjab, Delhi and Doab.
5. Other Achievements
He ruled for the longest time (38 years) among all the rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. During his long reign he restored the lost prestige of the Delhi Sultanate. Bahlol also has an important contribution in the currency system. He introduced a silver coin called Bahloli equal to the value of 1/4 tanka, which remained the medium of exchange till the time of Mughal ruler Akbar.
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