Lodhi Dynasty

Although it was the last of the ruling families of Sultanate period it had a greater life span than the Khiljis and had better achievements than the later Tughlaqs and Sayyids. However its history was a story of conflicts between the crown and the nobility. Rule of this dynasty started when Bahlul Lodhi, the governor of Sirhind during the Sayyid’s period assumed change as a Sultan on April 19, 1451. In fact, the last Sayyid ruler, Ala-ud-Din willingly handed over power to him. Bahlul he spend most of his time fighting against the rulers of Jaunpur, which he eventually occupied in 1486. After his death on July 17, 1489, his second son, Nizam Khan, assumed title of Sikandar Lodhi and became the next sultan. He was found of constructing mosques. He also founded Agra and shifted the capital from Delhi to the new city. He was interested in promoting economic activities in the country. He also ordered to translate important works on medicine in Persian language. He also conquered Bihar. He was succeeded by his youngest son, Ibrahim Lodhi in 1517. For most of his tenure he was busy in internal revolts and at the end he was ousted by a superior rival, Mughals. The rule of the dynasty came to an end in 1526 when Zaheer-ud-din Babar defeated Ibrahim Lodhi’s forces in the First Battle of Panipat.