Bahlul Khan Lodi

Early life

Bahlul's grandfather, Malik Bahram Khan Lodi, was a Lodi tribal chief from Dera Ismail Khan. He later took service under the governor of Multan, Malik Mardan Daulat. Bahram had five sons. His eldest son, Malik Sultan Shah Lodi, later served the Sayyid dynasty under Khizr Khan and distinguished himself by killing in the battle Khizr's worst enemy, Mallu Iqbal Khan. He was rewarded with the title of Islam Khan, and in 1419 appointed the governor of Sirhind. Bahlul, the son of Malik Kala Khan Lodi (the younger brother of Malik Sultan) was married to Malik Sultan's daughter.

In his youth, Bahlul was involved in the trading of horses and once sold his finely bred horses to the Sayyid Sultan Muhammad Shah. As a payment he was granted a pargana and raised to the status of amir. After the death of Malik Sultan, he became the governor of Sirhind. He was then allowed to add Lahore to his charge. Once, Sultan Muhammad Shah asked for his help when the Malwa Sultan Mahmud Khalji invaded his territory. Bahlul joined the imperial army with 20,000 mounted soldiers. By his cleverness, he was able to project himself as a victor over the army of the Malwa Sultan and Sultan Muhammad Shah conferred on him the title of Khan-i-Khanan. He also accepted Bahlul's occupation over a large part of Punjab.

In 1443, Bahlul attacked Delhi but he did not succeed. During the reign of last Sayyid ruler Sultan Alam Shah, Bahlul again made an unsuccessful attempt to capture Delhi in 1447. In 1448, when Alam Shah retired to Badaun, a minister of Alam Shah, Hamid Khan invited him to occupy the throne of Delhi. After the voluntary abdication of the throne by Alam Shah, Bahlul Shah ascended the throne of Delhi on 19 April 1451 and adopted the title of Bahlul Shah Ghazi. Alam Shah continued to live in Badaun until his death in July 1478.