Tughluq, Sayyid & Lodi Dynasties

3. The Tughluq Dynasty (1320–1414)

The Tughluqs were of Turkish-Indian descent and ruled during the longest — and the most tumultuous — era of the Delhi Sultanate.

Ghiyas-ud-Din Tughluq (1320–1325)

• Founded the Tughluq dynasty after overthrowing Khusrau Khan (the last Khilji ruler).
• Known for just, efficient, and moderate-paced governance. He reorganized the postal (dak chowki) system.
• Built Tughluqabad — a new city near Delhi.
• Died in a mysterious accident when a wooden pavilion collapsed on him (possibly a conspiracy by his son Muhammad).

Muhammad bin Tughluq (1325–1351)

• The most controversial and complex ruler of the Delhi Sultanate — described as having "the brain of a philosopher and the heart of a Muhammad bin Qasim." Ibn Battuta (the Moroccan traveler) visited his court.
• Famous/Infamous Experiments:
  1. Transfer of Capital (1327): Shifted the capital from Delhi to Devagiri (renamed Daulatabad, "City of Fortune") in Maharashtra. He simultaneously shifted the entire population of Delhi. The experiment failed as Daulatabad was difficult to administer from, and it was reversed in 1335.
  2. Token Currency (1329): Introduced token currency — issued copper coins with the face value of silver. The idea was sound (like modern fiat currency) but the execution failed because the government could not prevent people from forging coins. Eventually, it was recalled.
  3. Taxation in Doab (1335): Increased taxes in the fertile Doab region between the Ganga and Yamuna rivers during a famine — causing massive agrarian distress, peasant revolts, and depopulation of the region.
  4. Khorasan Expedition: Planned to conquer Khorasan (Central Asia) but the project was abandoned.
  5. Qarachil Expedition: Sent an army to the Himalayas (Kumaon-Garhwal area) to counter Chinese expansion; nearly the entire force perished.
• Revolts: His reign saw a record number of revolts — 22 revolts in 26 years. He was called "the wisest fool" and labelled by Badauni as a "mix of opposites."
• During his reign, South Indian states like Vijayanagara (1336) and the Bahmani Kingdom (1347) broke away.

Firuz Shah Tughluq (1351–1388)

• Known as a benevolent and reformist ruler.
• Welfare Measures:
  • Abolished 26 taxes that were against the Shariat (Islamic law) and retained only 4 canonical taxes: Kharaj (land tax), Zakat (alms), Jizya, and Khams.
  • Established the Diwan-i-Khairat (Department of Charity) for the welfare of widows, orphans, and the poor.
  • Built an employment bureau — Diwan-i-Bandagan (Department of Slaves).
  • Constructed many canals (including one from the Yamuna to Hissar and another from the Sutlej to connect with the older canals) — major developments for irrigation.
  • Built several cities, including Firuzabad, Jaunpur, Hissar, Fatehabad.
• Limitations: He was weak militarily (failed twice against Kangra and Bengal), was too dependent on nobles, and encouraged slavery on a massive scale (maintained 1,80,000 slaves).
• Jizya: Made the payment of Jizya (tax on non-Muslims) compulsory even for Brahmins, who had previously been exempt.

Timur's Invasion (1398)

• Timur Lang (Tamerlane) of Samarkand invaded Delhi and sacked it thoroughly. Before leaving, he massacred approximately 100,000 Indian prisoners.
• This invasion effectively ended the real power of the Tughluq dynasty, leaving them as puppet rulers.

4. The Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451)

• Founded by Khizr Khan, who claimed descent from the Prophet Muhammad (hence the dynasty's name "Sayyid").
• The Sayyid rulers were weak and controlled only the neighborhood around Delhi. They acknowledged the suzerainty of Timur's successors (the Timurids of Samarkand).
• The last ruler, Alam Shah, voluntarily abdicated in favor of Bahlul Lodi in 1451 and retired to Badaun.
• The dynasty was mainly a period of disorder and transition, with no significant achievements.

5. The Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526)

• The Lodi dynasty was the first Afghan (Pashtun) dynasty to rule over Delhi, replacing the Turkish domination.

Bahlul Lodi (1451–1489)

• Founded the Lodi dynasty; suppressed the rebellious chiefs of the Doab.
• Strong military commander who extended the Sultanate's territory.

Sikandar Lodi (1489–1517)

• The ablest and most capable of the Lodi rulers.
• Founded the city of Agra in 1504 and shifted his capital there from Delhi.
• Known for his administrative efficiency: he introduced the Gaz-i-Sikandar Shah (Sikandar's Yard) as a standard measure for land.
• Was a religious bigot — ordered the destruction of many Hindu temples in Mathura and Nagarkot, and compelled Brahmins to wear distinctive marks.
• Patron of literature in Persian; authored poetry under the pen name "Gulrukhi."

Ibrahim Lodi (1517–1526)

• The last Sultan of Delhi; was proud and autocratic, alienating Afghan nobles.
• Chief Minister Daulat Khan Lodi and his uncle Alam Khan invited Babur (ruler of Kabul) to help them overthrow Ibrahim.
• Defeated and killed by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat (1526), ending the Delhi Sultanate and beginning the Mughal Empire.

Key Features of the Delhi Sultanate

Administration

• Sultan was the supreme authority in theory, but power was often shared with the nobility.
• Key Departments: Diwan-i-Wizarat (Finance), Diwan-i-Arz (Military), Diwan-i-Risalat (Foreign Affairs), Diwan-i-Insha (Royal Correspondence).
• Provincial Administration: The Empire was divided into Iqtas (provinces), administered by Walis/Muktis.

Architecture

• The Delhi Sultanate gave rise to the Indo-Islamic style of architecture.
• Introduced true arch and true dome (using keystone), minaret, and arabesque ornamentation to India.
• The Slave dynasty built the Qutb Minar complex. The Tughluqs used sloping walls and grey stone. The Lodis introduced the double dome and octagonal tomb style (seen in Lodi Garden, New Delhi).

Cultural Developments

• Amir Khusrau (1253-1325): Greatest poet of the sultanate period; court poet of Ala-ud-Din Khilji. Credited with inventing the Sitar and the Tabla, and for creating the Qawwali form of music. He wrote in both Persian and old Braj Bhasha / Hindavi, pioneering the Khari Boli form of Hindi.
• Spread of Bhakti and Sufi movements during this period promoted social harmony and Hindu-Muslim synthesis.