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Bahlol Khan Lodhi
Context:
July 12 is the 535th death anniversary of Bahlol Khan Lodi, the founder of the Lodi Dynasty, who died on July 12, 1489, in Delhi.
Foundation and Reign:
- Dynasty Foundation: Bahlul Lodi established the Lodi Dynasty, ruling from 1451 to 1489.
- Dynasty Duration: The Lodi Dynasty lasted from 1451 to 1526, succeeding the Sayyid Dynasty and being the last Sultanate of Delhi.
Background:
- Early Life: Bahlul Lodi, leader of the Pashtun Lodhi tribe, was born in 1401 and died on July 12, 1489.
- Ancestry: His grandfather Malik Bahram Khan Lodi was a tribal leader, and his father Malik Kala Khan Lodi was also influential. Bahlul engaged in horse trading and earned rank and territory through military support.
Ascension to Power:
- Initial Attempts: Failed attempts to conquer Delhi in 1443 and 1447.
- Successful Seizure: In 1451, Bahlul Lodi took Delhi after the voluntary deposition of Sultan Alam Shah and adopted the title Bahlul Shah Ghazi.
Reign and Administration:
- Political Moves: Removed Hamid Khan from power and expanded territory.
- Conquests: Captured Jaunpur (1479), Gwalior, and parts of Uttar Pradesh; forced leaders to submit and pay tributes. Appointed son Babrak Shah as Jaunpur’s Viceroy in 1486. Expanded the kingdom from Palam to Bihar and Rajasthan, with his significant triumph over Jaunpur highlighting his military prowess.
- Governance: Implemented a tribal-centred administration, maintained close ties with Afghan nobility, and avoided displaying imperial grandeur.
Contributions and Legacy:
- Military Success: Established dominance through military prowess and strategic alliances.
- Nobility Relations: Maintained equality with Afghan nobles, gained their support through personal gestures and shared rewards.
- Tomb: Simple structure with five domes, located near the shrine of Sufi saint Nasiruddin-Chirag-e-Delhi.
- Succession: Bahlul Lodi was succeeded by his son Sikandar Lodi, who ruled from 1489 to 1517 CE.