Sharqi dynasty and Lodhi Dynasty as discussed by Harsh
During c. 1398 AD, Timur, a blend of Mongols and Turks, attacked Sultanate and Sultan Nasir-ud-din Tughlaq was of no match to him. Hence, Sultan Nasir-ud-din fled from Delhi to save his life and the rule of Tughlaqs at Delhi came to an end. Timur gave the throne of Delhi to Khizr Khan who entered Delhi in c. 1412 AD and established a new dynasty, Saiyid Dynasty. They were not the subordinates of Timurid but they included the name of Timur in Khutbahs (Muslim religious prayers).
Also Read : Gujarat and Rajasthan Kingdoms of Medieval India
Early Medieval Age – Eastern India, Kashmir and North-Western India
Post-Mauryan Period – Resources and Political History of North India
The Sharqis (Jaunpur Kingdom)
Malik Sawar who was a prominent noble of the Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq, appointed as the wazir of Jaunpur by Sultan Firoz. He was also titled with the name of Malik-ul-Sharq. After the fall of Tughlaq dynasty, Malik established themselves in Jaunpur. He established new dynasty, Sharqis dynasty and Jaunpur as their capital. They built number of magnificent palaces, mosques and mausoleums in Jaunpur but in their own style, independent of Delhi Sultanate.
Malik Muhammad Jaisi, who wrote the famous poem of Padmavat (story of princess Padmavati and Sultan Alauddin Khilji), also lived at Jaunpur. They eager to conquer Delhi and try to, but they failed to do so. In the c. 1484 AD, Bahlul Lodhi captured and occupied Jaunpur. The Sharqis were lived in exile and died later on.
Lodhi Dynasty
Lodhis were Afghans in their origin. It was Bahlul Lodhi who established himself in the region of Punjab with the number of Afghan Sardars by oust Saiyids from Delhi and established Lodhi dynasty. Bahlul formally crowned himself in c. 1451 AD. They dominated the upper Ganga valley and Punjab regions in the middle of 15th century. The most important king of Lodhis was Sikander Lodhi.
Sikander Lodhi ruled from c. 1489 AD – c. 1517 AD, was a contemporary of Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji (ruler of Bengal) and Muhamad Begarha (ruler of Malwa). He reaffirmed the supremacy of king all over his nobles. He laid emphasis on justice and all highways made safe. Lodhis followed the policy of “first among equals” but Sikander was first Lodhi ruler who sat on the raised throne, showcasing his dominance and his authority to the throne.
During the reign of Sikander, the essential commodities were remarkably cheap. He was interested in agriculture, abolished octroi duty on grains. He established a new measurement unit of land of a yard, called Gazz-i-Sikanderi (also used by Mughals). He was regarded as an orthodox and bigoted king because he imposed Jizyah on Hindu, executed Brahmans and demolished temples like Nagarkot.
He gave magnificent grants to scholars, philosophers and men of letters (including Arabian and Iranians as well). During his reign number of Sanskrit were translated to Persian. He followed the policy of territorial extension. He captured Dholpur and Gwalior. He built the brand-new city of Agra and shifted his capital to Agra. It was built as command area of eastern Rajasthan and route to Malwa and Gujarat, also to control rebellion nobles and rulers of Doab.
Ibrahim Lodhi was the last ruler of the Lodhi dynasty. He led a campaign against Mewar. He was young and ambitious ruler. During c. 1526 AD, Babur attacked India and Ibrahim lost the war and his life in the First Battle of Panipat (c. 1526 AD). Ibrahim Lodhi was criminated with respect because he fought bravely against Babur. This was the end of Sultanate rule in India and the beginning of Era of Mughals.