Previous 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.
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
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
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
