Sikander Shah Lodhi (AH 894-923/ CE 1488-1517)

Previous Dynasty

Sayyid Dynasty

Lodhi Dynasty

Sikander Shah Lodhi
AH 894-923/ CE 1488-1517

­­­The issue of next successor arises after the death of Sultan Bahlol Lodhi, there were three main contesters Nizam Kham (Sikander Lodhi), Barak Shah & Azam Humayun. Nizam Khan Mother was a Hindu goldsmith, who pleaded his Son’s claim for the throne but was rejected by the others. After a little confrontation finally Nizam Khan crowned himself as a king on Friday Shaban AH 894/ 16 July CE 1489 on the banks of Kali Nadi. After which he to proceeded to Delhi. After ascending to throne his main tasks were to gain the trust of Afghan nobles to accept his authority and deal with the rebellions.

In his mission to crush the rebellion he showed extraordinary generosity and pardoned his brother Alam Khan (Etawa was later entrusted to him), Azam Humayun, Rai Ganesh (Patiali was later entrusted to him),   Sheikh Muhammad Qurban (also known as Kala Pahar) and Barak Shah (later he was placed on the throne of Jaunpur). He spent substantial time in his campaign against Husain Shah Sharqi, Gwalior, Dholpur and Mandril. His problem with Hussain Sharqi increased when a Bachgoti Rajput Clan leader Juga who attacked Jaunpur fled and Hussain Sharqi gave him refuge. On 7 Zulqada 923/ 21 Nov 1517 CE He died of diphtheria or throat cancer.

Sikander Lodhi was an able administrator who uses to work from early morning to late night. During his reign administration was strict to ensure peace & prosperity, highways were free from bandits. Judicial system was effective under Mian Bhua. He used to look at the daily price schedule of the market. The revenue department though suffered from the problem of corruption. He personally took interest in agriculture system and made many reforms like reform in taxation system. The rent rolls prepared during his reign were used by later rulers. Edward Thomas remarks “The statistical return of Babur was clearly based upon the old rent rolls of those unacknowledged contributors to the efficiency of all later Indian revenue systems”.

His character is even marred by traces of fanaticism where there are records of destruction of Temples along with destruction of Sharqi monuments (Including tomb of Ibrahim & Mahmud Shah) during his stay at Jaunpur, It is said that he went ahead to destroy even Mosques built by Sharqi rulers but they were saved only after the strong resistance by the scholars. During his days as a Prince he also came in direct confrontation with Maulana Abdulla Ajudhani who objected to his interference within the religious practice followed by Hindus at Thaneshwar and commented that “Islam does not permit such interference”. 

He also took keen interest in philanthropic & charitable works cooked and uncooked was distributed among poor’s regularly in the capital. Stipends were fixed for the poor and destitute in his kingdom. When he changed his clothes and bedding s, they were sold and the money obtained was given away as dowry to orphan girls. During his reign Hindus took to learning Persian and were recruited in large numbers to different posts. City of Agra was also founded by him in AH 911/CE1506.

Gold, Silver, Billon & copper coins were issued by him. Gold and Silver are extremely rare while billon and copper are common.

Billon 80 rati Tanka of Sikander Lodhi, Hazrat Dehli
GG No. D705, Rajgor 1518

 9 grams, 16 mm, AH 897

Obv: Al mutawakkil ala-al-Rahmn Sikander Shah bin Bahlol Shah Sultan bi Hazrat Dehli

Rev: Fi zaman amir al mumineen Khulidat khilafatuhu 897

Billon 80 rati Tanka of Sikander Lodhi
GG No. D706, Rajgor 1519

 9 grams, 16 mm, AH 918

Obv: Al mutawakkil ala-al-Rahmn Sikander Shah bin Bahlol Shah Sultan

Rev: Fi zaman amir al mumineen Khulidat khilafatuhu 918

Billon Coin of 32 rati of Sikander Lodhi

GG No. D707, Rajgor 1517

 3.5 grams, 13 mm,

Obv: Al mutawakkil ala-al-Rahmn Sikander Shah bin Bahlol Shah Sultan

Rev: Fi zaman amir al mumineen Khulidat khilafatuhu

Rulers of Lodhi Dynasty

Bahlol Lodhi

Sikander Lodhi

Ibrahim Lodhi 

Lodhi Dynasty

Previous Dynasty

Sayyid Dynasty

Lodhi Dynasty

Bahlol Shah
AH 855-94/ CE 1451-89

After Sultan Aalam Shah's leaving throne and retiring to Budayun it came under the control of Hamid Khan who thought of Inviting either Sharqi Sultan Mahmud or Malwa Sultan Mahmud to come and occupy the throne of Dehli. Malik Bahlol Khan, an Afghan general saw this as an opportunity and after diplomacy and few efforts finally the throne passed to him on 17th Rabi awwal AH 851/19th April CE 1451. This was the establishment of Lodhi dynasty. After occupation of Dehli, Bahlol wrote to Sultan Aalam Shah "Your Majesty's father brought me up and I am acting only as your deputy continuing your name in Khutba." Sultan Aalam replied "As my father used to address you as Son, I see you as elder brother leaving the throne for you and shall live at Budayun." As per Firishta he had two coronations one before and another after his correspondence with Sultan Aalam Shah. Ever since Bahlol gained the throne of Dehli he faced many problems and one of the biggest was conflict with Sharqi Sultan Mahmud Shah and later with his successors Muhammad Shah and Hussain Shah.

Bahlol had a very affable personality, just and generous simple and unostentatious. He got up early in the morning and attended to the business of the state till about noon after which till night prayer (Isha) he used to be in the company of ulema, recite Quran or offer congregational prayer. He personally used to listen to the petition of the people and did not leave it on wazirs or amirs. He enjoyed confidence of large numbers of Rajputs and other Hindu zamindars and entrusted very responsible posts to them. Some of his trusted chiefs were Rai Karan, Rai Pratap, Rai Bir Singh, Rai Trilokchand, and Rai Dhandhu. Author of Tarikh-i Daudi remarks about him: "He was a simple and unostentatious king. He removed darbans from the gate when he took his meals and invite any one who used to come during his meals. He used to sit on the carpet instead of throne." Ferista says "His food was not prepared in his palace nor did he ride a horse from the royal stables. His nobles used to sent him food in rotation."

Bahlol Struck coins only in Billon and copper. He introduced coin named Bahloli which ensured his perpetuated name in numismatic history of Dehli Sultanat which was continued till Mughal Ruler Humayun.

Billon 80 rati Tanka of Bahlol Shah, Hazrat Dehli
GG No. D690, Rajgor 1509

 9 grams, 16 mm, AH 879

Obv: المتؤکل علي الرحمن بهٔلول شاه السلطان بحضرت دهٔلئ 

Rev: فيزمن امير المومنين خلدت خلافت ۸۷۹

Billon 32 rati of Bahlol Shah
GG No. D691, Rajgor 1508

 3.4 grams, 14 mm, No Date

Obv: بهٔلول شاه السلطان بحضرت دهٔلئ 

Rev: الخليفهٔ امير المومنين خلدت خلافت

Double Falus of 80 rati of Bahlol Shah

GG No. D694, Rajgor 1505

9.1 grams, 14 mm, No Date

Obv: بهٔلول شاهئ 

Rev: نايب امير المومنين ۸۸۲

Double Falus of 80 rati of Bahlol Shah

GG No. D696, Rajgor 1503

9.1 grams, 14 mm, No Date

Obv: بهٔلول سلطان 

Rev: دار الملک دهٔلي ۸۵۵

Rulers of Lodhi Dynasty

Bahlol Lodhi

Sikander Lodhi

Ibrahim Lodhi 

Alauddin Aalam Shah (AH 849-55/ CE 1445-51)

Previous Rulers of Sayyid Dynasty

Mubarak Shah 

Khizr Khan

Muhammad Shah 

Alauddin Aalam Shah

(AH 849-55/ CE 1445-51)

After the death of Muhammad Shah, his son, Aalam Shah was placed on the throne of Delhi. He was an inefficient ruler. He realised this and retired to Budayun where he spent rest of his life leaving the affairs of Delhi on the shoulders of his wife's two brothers.  Finally public took the possession of Delhi and invited Malik Bahlol Khan to take control of the situation. On assuming the charge Bahlol wrote to Aalam Shah that "He is doing only for the good of Sultan". Alam Shah replied  "As my father has called you as Son, I don't have any desire for the power and happy with the one pargana of Budayun, leaving the empire for you". Bahlol allowed Alam to rule over an area from Khairabad on the banks of the Ganges up to the Himalayan foothill till his death in AH 883/ CE1476. This was the end of Sayyid Dynasty.
              The coins of Aalam Shah are knon in Gold, Silver, Billon and Copper. They all are extremely rare.

Billon Tanka of Aalam Shah

GG No. D684. Rajgor 1489

 9.55 grams, 16 mm, AH 852

 Obv: عالمشاه سلطان بن محمد شاه بحصرت دهلی

 Rev: الخلیفا امیر المومنین خلد خلافته ۸۵۲

Billon Tanka of Aalam Shah

GG No. D684. Rajgor 1489

 9.25 grams, 15 mm, AH 852

Obv: عالمشاه سلطان بن محمد شاه بحصرت دهلی

Rev: الخلیفا امیر المومنین خلد خلافته ۸۵۱

Copper Falus of Aalam Shah

GG No. D687. Rajgor 1485

 

4.49 grams, 13 mm, AH 855

Obv: عالمشه سلطان

Rev: دار للملک دهلی ۸۵۵

Muhammad Bin Farid (AH 837-49/CE 1434-45)

Previous Rulers of Sayyid Dynasty

Mubarak Shah 

Khizr Khan

Muhammad Shah (Muhammad Bin Farid)
(AH 837-49/CE 1434-45)

After the assassination of Mubarak Shah, Muhammad Shah who was an adopted son of Mubarak Shah ascended to the throne on 9 Rajab AH 837 (19th Febraury 1434) with the acceptance of all. Muhammad bin Farid issued coin in Gold, Silver, Billlon and Copper.

Silver Tanka of Muhammad Bin Farid

GG No.671, Rajgor 1480

11.16 grams, 18 mm, Ah 838

Obv: السلطان ال عظم ابو ال مجاحد محمد شاه بن فرید شاه حصرت شاه السلطان
Rev: فی زمن الامام امیر المومنین حلدت حلافیه

80 Ratti Billlon Tanka of Muhammad Bin Farid

GG No.672, Rajgor 1479

 9.42 grams, 16 mm, AH 844

Obv: محمد شاه سلطان فرید شاه خضر شاه حصرت دهلی 

Rev: الخلیفا امیر المومنین خلدت خلافته ۸۴۴

80 Ratti Billlon Tanka of Muhammad Bin Farid

GG No.673, Rajgor 1478

 3.62 grams, 11 mm

Obv: محمد شاه سلطان فرید شاه حصرت دهلی 

Rev: الخلیفا امیر المومنین خلدت خلافته

48 Ratti Copper Falus of Muhammad Bin Farid

GG No.678, Rajgor 1476

4.52 grams, 12 mm

Obv: محمد شاه سلطان 

Rev: دار الملک دهلی ۸۴۴

48 Ratti Copper Falus of Muhammad Bin Farid

GG No.678A

4.63 grams, 14 mm

Obv: محمد شاه سلطان 

Rev: دار الملک دهلی ۸۴۱

 

40 Ratti Copper Falus of Muhammad Bin Farid

GG No.679

4.53 grams, 12 mm

Obv: محمد شاه سلطان 

Rev: دار الملک دهلی

Muhammad Shah Sayyid's Tomb at Lodhi Garden New Delhi

Next Rulers of Sayyid Dynasty

Aalam Shah

Mubarak Shah (AH 824-37/CE 1421-34)

Next Rulers of Sayyid Dynasty

Khizr Khan

Mubarak Shah  
(AH 824-37/CE 1421-34)

Though Khizr Khan already appointed his son, Shahzada Mubarak the command of western areas but it was only 3 days before his death Mubarak Shah was appointed as his heir-apparent which was approved by all amirs and maliks. Formally He sat on throne on 19th Jamadi 824 Hijri (22 May CE1421). Gold Silver and Copper coins are known for this ruler.

Silver Tanka of Mubarak Shah

 GG No. D660, Rajgor's 1469

11.18 grams, 21 mm, AH 835

Obv: فی عهد السلطان الغازی المتوکل علی الرهمن مبارق شاه سلطان
Rev: ۸۳۵ فی زمن الامام امیر ال مومنین حلدت حلافته

Copper Double Falus of Mubarak Shah

GG No. D662, Rajgor's 1466

10.87 grams, 16mm, Hazrat Dehli, AH 835

Obv(in circle):مبارک شاه (around)سلطان ضربت حصرت دهلیRev: ۸۳۵ نایب امیر ال مومنین 

Copper Falus of Mubarak Shah

GG No. D663, Rajgor's 1463

5.45 grams, 15mm, Hazrat Dehli, AH 833

Obv: مبارک شاه سلطان

Rev: (دار الملک دهلی ۳(۸۳

Copper 48 rati Falus of Mubarak Shah (Posthumou)

GG No. D688, Rajgor's 1465

5.45 grams, 15mm, Hazrat Dehli, AH 833

Obv: مبارک شاه سلطان

Rev: (دار الملک دهلی *(۸۳

Next Rulers of Sayyid Dynasty

Khizr Khan

Muhammad Shah

Alam Shah