Ibrahim Lodi

Ibrahim Lodi

Ibrahim Lodi

Sultan of Delhi in Lodi Dynasty

Last Ruler of Lodi Dynasty

Reign – A.D. 1517 to 1526

Father – Sikandar Lodi

Ibrahim Lodi was the son of Sikandar Lodi. As he was born in a royal family, he was brought up like a prince and proper education was imparted to him in due course of time. Besides academic education, military education was also given to him. After attaining youth, he proved to be a very good soldier and general. After the death of Sikandar, the Afghan Amirs seated him on the throne unanimously. In order to avoid civil war and to enhance his power, these Amirs divided the kingdom of Sikandar Lodi among his two sons. Ibrahim Lodi was given the charge of Delhi and Agra region and the region of Jaunpur and Kalpi was bestowed on Jalal. Ferishta writes that this partition was done by Amirs because they did not like Ibrahim Lodi. Ibrahim Lodi also did not like this partition of the kingdom but he accepted it peacefully for he was afraid that in case, he opposed the proposal, he would be imprisoned by the Amirs, but later on he rejected this partition after consolidating, his position and getting the support of the Amirs and nobles. By this time he had also extended his power and territory and celebrated his coronation. He assumed the title of Ibrahim Shah.

Ibrahim Lodi was the last ruler of the Lody dynasty, it would be a wrong estimation of Ibrahim if we say that there were only demerits in his character and he lacked the qualities of head and heart. In fact, he was handsome, honest and industrious ruler. He was fond of music and a patron of men of latter. He did not lack in power and wisdom and hence the contemporary scholars have praised him a lot. He was a lover of justice and had a great love for his subjects. But he failed due to some weaknesses in his character.

He decided to strengthen the central government and left no stone unturned to achieve his motive. In spite of severe opposition of the nobles and Amirs he did not make any change in his behavior. He was in fact, an autocratic despot. He was the supporter of the theory of divine right of kings as propounded by Balban and Alauddin Khalji. Dr. R.P. Tripathi has remarked, “He openly confessed that king has no relations, nor clan and that all men and clans were his servants.” In fact, he was destroyed by his own overweening ambitions.

Although he was himself an Afghan, he was ignorant of the feelings of the Afghans. He forgot that the Afghans regarded the king first among the equals. He gave up the policy of his father and grandfather and tried to impose restrictions on the nobles. It offended that nobles and they raised the standard of revolt one after the other. Ibrahim Lodi used all his power in suppressing these revolts and weakened himself. One of his relatives, Daulat Khan, who was annoyed with him, invited Babur, the ruler of Kabul for an invasion over India. He failed to defeat him and was himself killed in the battle of Panipat in A.D. 1526.

Thus all these reasons combined together and helped in the downfall and failure of Ibrahim Lodi. In spite of several qualities of head and heart, he failed to measure swords with the Mughals and was killed in the battle.

Milan Tomic

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