LODI DYNASTY

(14511526), last ruling family of the Delhi sultanate of India. This dynasty was of Afghan origin. The first Lodi ruler was Bahlul Lodi (reigned 145189), the most powerful of the Punjab (Pajab) chiefs, who replaced the last king of the Sayyid dynasty in 1451. Bahlul was a vigorous leader, holding together a loose confederacy of Afghan and Turkish chiefs with his strong personality. Starting with only the control of the region adjacent to Delhi, Bahlul extended the effective boundaries of his empire to the borders of Bengal. This expansion involved the conquest of the powerful kingdoms of Malwa and Jaunpur. Though twice besieged in Delhi, he finally defeated and partially annexed Jaunpur in 1479. Bahlul's second son, Sikandar (reigned 14891517), continued his father's expansion policy. He gained control of Bihar and founded the modern city of Agra on the site known as Sikandarabad. His reign was clouded only by a reputation for religious bigotry. Sikandar's eldest son, Ibrahim (reigned 151726), attempted to enhance the royal authority. His harshness built up discontent, however, which led the governor of the Punjab, Dawlat Khan Lodi, to invite the Mughal ruler of Kabul, Babur, to invade India. Ibrahim was killed at the First Battle of Panipat (April 21, 1526), whereupon the loose aristocratic confederacy of the Lodis dissolved.