Bahlul Khan Lodhi

Bahlul Khan Lodhi (d.1489) was the first Sultan of the Lodhi Dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate in India upon the abdication of the last claimant from the previous Sayyid rule. He was born into an Afghan family of traders, and became a renowned warrior and governor of Sirhind (Punjab). He took over the Sultanate on April 19,1451. He died in July 1489.

Ancestry and early life

Bahlul belonged to the Shahu Khel clan of the Lodhis. Bahlul's grandfather Malik Bahram settled in Multan during the reign of Firuz Shah Tughluq and took service under the governor of Multan, Malik Mardan Daulat. Malik Bahram had five sons. His eldest son, Malik Sultan Shah Lodhi later served under the Sayyid dynasty ruler Khizr Khan and distinguished himself by killing in the battle later's worst enemy Mallu Iqbal Khan. He was rewarded with the title of Islam Khan and in 1419 appointed the governor of Sirhind. Bahlul, the son of Malik Kala, the younger brother of Malik Sultan was married to Malik Sultan's daughter. In his youth, he was involved in the trading of horses and once sold his finely bred horses to the Sayyid dyansty Sultan Muhammad Shah. As a payment he was granted a "pargana" and raised to the status of "amir". After the death of Malik Sultan, he became the governor of Sirhind. He was allowed to add Lahore to his charge. Once, Sultan Muhammad Shah asked for his help when the Malwa Sultan Mahmud Shah I invaded his territory. Bahlul joined the imperial army with 20,000 mounted soldiers. By his clevernees, he was able to project himself as a victor over the army of the Malwa Sultan and 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. During the reign of last Sayyid ruler Sultan Alam Shah, Bahlul again made another unsuccessful attempt to capture Delhi in 1447. Finally, when Alam Shah retired to Badaun in 1448, a minister of Alam Shah, Hamid Khan invited him to occupy the throne of Delhi. After the voluntary abdication of the throne by Alam Shah, Bahlul Shah ascended the throne of Delhi on April 19, 1451 and adopted the title of "Bahlul Shah Ghazi". Alam Shah continued to live in Badaun till his death in July 1478. [ Majumdar, R.C. (ed.) (2006). "The Delhi Sultanate", Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, pp.134-36, 139-142] Mahajan, V.D. (1991, reprint 2007). "History of Medieval India", New Delhi: S. Chand, ISBN 81-219-0364-5, pp.245-51] .

Today, a humble tomb of the founder of Lodhi dynasty, lies close to the shrine, noted Sufi saint, Nasiruddin Chirag-e-Delhi, in a locality that goes by his name, 'Chirag Delhi' [ [http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/03/01/stories/2004030100750200.htm Delhi's Valley of Kings] The Tribune, Mar 1, 2004. ] [ [http://wikimapia.org/#lat=28.5383575&lon=77.2310328&z=17&l=0&m=a&v=2&show=/7093556/Bahol-Lodi-s-Tomb Bahlul Khan Lodhi Tomb - Location] "Wikimapia".] .

The reign

After ascending to the throne, Bahlul decided to dispose of Hamid Khan. His cousin and borther-in-law Qutb Khan imprisoned Hamid Khan and he disappeared from the scene.Mahajan, V.D. (1991, reprint 2007). "History of Medieval India", New Delhi: S. Chand, ISBN 81-219-0364-5, pp.245-51]

Bahlul Khan did much to stop rebellions and uprisings in his territories, and extended his holdings over Gwalior, Jaunpur and upper Uttar Pradesh. In 1486, he appointed his son, Babrak Shah as viceroy of Jaunpur. In time, this proved to be problematic, as his second son, Nizam Khan (Sikandar Lodhi) was named successor, and a power struggle ensued upon his death in 1489.

See also

*Lodhi dynasty

Notes

References

*http://www.indhistory.com/lodi-dynasty.html
*http://sify.com/itihaas/fullstory.php?id=13233620
*http://www.webindia123.com/history/MEDIEVAL/delhisultanate/delhi%20sultanate4.htm