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He got the throne of Delhi from the last Sayyid ruler All-ud-din
Alam Shah. Before that he was a Sayyid Subedar of Lahore. He
conquered the territories around Delhi.

He fought continuously for 26 years and succeeded in extending his
authority over Jaunpur, Rewali, Itawa, Mewar, Sambhal and Gwalior.
He was always ready to help his people. Though he was illiterate, he

was a great patron of arts and learning. He died in 1489. Lodhi Tomb
siKander lOdhi (1489-1517)

The most important Lodhi Sultan was Sikander Lodhi. He brought the nobles under his
control. He established efficient administrative system. He laid greatest emphasis on
justice and all the highways of the empire were made safe from robbers and bandits. The
prices of all essential commodities were made cheap. He took keen interest in agriculture.

The Lodhis built tombs in gardens. The Mughals later adopted this style.
ibrahim lOdhi (1517 - 1526)

Ibrahim Lodhi was the last ruler of the Delhi Sultanate. He was harsh,

cruel and unpopular. He was defeated and killed by Babur in the battle of
Panipat in 1526 A.D. It was the beginning of the Mughal rule in India.

the doWnfall of the delhi sultanate
The rule of the Delhi Sultans lasted for over three centuries—1206-1526
Ibrahim Lodhi A.D. The causes that led to the downfall of the Sultans were :

1. The Delhi Sultans came and conquered India by the force of their armies. But they
never tried to win the confidence and love of their subjects.
2. Most of the Sultans were religious fanatics. Sultans like Firoz Tughlaq and Sikandar
Lodhi reimposed Jazia, the much hated religious tax on the Hindus. Consequently, the
Hindus hated them and became their enemies.
3. The Muslim nobility was also much to be blamed for the downfall of the Sultans.
The amirs and the nobles were too powerful and could be kept under control only by
powerful rulers like Alauddin Khalji and Balban. Whenever a weak ruler came to the
throne, they took advantage and rebelled against him.
4. The Jagirdari system revived by Firoz Tughlaq was an important factor responsible for
the ruin of the Sultanate.
The Jagirdars became very powerful in their territories and arrested their independence.
5. The empire was too vast to be controlled in those days when means of communications
were not so developed.
6. Timur’s invasion gave the final blow to the already disintegrating Sultanate, and with
Babur’s invasion, came the end of the Delhi Sultanate.

• Sappers and miners helped to clean roads and to remove obstacles for the movement of the army.
• The invention of the iron-stirrup helped the horseman to stay on without falling off.
• Jaziya was the tax non-Muslims paid to live in an Islamic state. It exempted Hindus from military
service. Women, children and the Brahmans did not have to pay it.

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