Northwest and North India: The Sharqis, the Lodi Sultans, and Kashmir

Northwest and North India—The Sharqis, the Lodi Sultans, and Kashmir

After Timur's Invasion

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Sultan Mahmud Tughlaq fled from Delhi, seeking shelter in Gujarat and Malwa.

--> Prestige of the Delhi throne was shattered.
--> Ambitious nobles and zamindars asserted independence around Delhi.

Malik Sarwar and the Sharqi Dynasty

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Malik Sarwar, a prominent noble during Firuz Tughlaq's reign, asserted independence.

--> Appointed as wazir, then nominated to eastern areas as Malik-us-Sharq (Lord of the East).
--> Successors called the Sharqis, with their capital at Jaunpur.
--> Jaunpur became known for its magnificent palaces, mosques, and mausoleums.
--> Sharqi architecture featured lofty gates and huge arches, distinct from Delhi's style.

Cultural Contributions of the Sharqi Sultans

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Great patrons of learning and culture, attracting poets, scholars, and saints to Jaunpur.

--> Jaunpur became known as the ‘Shiraz of the East’.
--> Malik Muhammad Jaisi, author of Padmavat, lived in Jaunpur.

Expansion and Decline of the Sharqi Sultanate

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The Sultanate at its height extended from Aligarh to Darbhanga and from Nepal's boundary to Bundelkhand.

--> Failed to conquer Delhi, leading to decline with the rise of the Lodis.
--> Lost most areas in western Uttar Pradesh and faced multiple assaults on Delhi.
--> Bahlul Lodi annexed Jaunpur in 1484, ending the Sharqi kingdom.
--> The Sharqi king died in exile at Chunar, broken-hearted after repeated failures to regain his kingdom.

Law and Order by the Sharqi Rulers

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Maintained law and order, preventing Bengal from extending control over eastern Uttar Pradesh.

--> Established a cultural tradition that continued long after their downfall.

Saiyid Dynasty in Delhi

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Arose after the Timurid invasion with Afghan sardars establishing themselves in Punjab.

--> Bahlul Lodi was the most important of these Afghan sardars, granted iqta of Sirhind.
--> Dominated Punjab, checked the Khokhars, and stayed in Delhi, ending the Saiyid dynasty in 1451.

Lodi Dynasty in North India

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Dominated the upper Ganga valley and Punjab from the mid-15th century.

--> Lodis were Afghans, distinct from earlier Turkish rulers of Delhi.
--> Afghans became important in both north and south India, holding significant positions.

Reign of Bahlul Lodi

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Focused on contesting the Sharqi rulers, inviting Afghans of Roh to strengthen his position.

--> Afghan historian Abbas Sarwani noted the large influx of Afghans joining Bahlul Lodi's service.
--> The incursion of Afghans changed the complexion of Muslim society in India.

Reign of Sikandar Lodi (1489-1517)

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Contemporary of Mahmud Begarha of Gujarat and Rana Sanga of Mewar.

--> Subdued Afghan sardars, who were not accustomed to seeing the sultan as more than a first among equals.
--> Established efficient administration, emphasized justice, and made highways safe from robbers.
--> Abolished octroi duty on grains, introduced new measurement (gazz-i-Sikandari), and promoted agriculture.
--> Orthodox ruler, forbidding practices against sharia, re-imposed jizyah on Hindus, and demolished some Hindu temples.
--> Patron of learning, promoted translation of Sanskrit works into Persian, and encouraged cultural rapprochement between Hindus and Muslims.
--> Conquered Dholpur and Gwaliyar, and selected Agra as a new city site in 1506.

Reign of Ibrahim Lodi

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Extended dominions by conquering eastern Rajasthan and Malwa, clashed with Mewar.

--> Faced conflict with Mewar and other regional powers, presaging Babur's intervention.

Explore the struggle for the empire in North India, focusing on the Lodhi and saiyyid, sharqi dynasties. Learn about their historical significance and impact on Indian history.