Write your abstract
here.
The Lodi’s belonged to the Sahukhail tribe, a
subsection of
the Ghilzai
tribe of Bundelkhand. They belonged to
Rohilkhand in Afghanistan. A Latin phrase PRIMUS
INTERPARES
(1st among the equals) best describes ‘The Theory of
Kingship’, which was adopted by the first Lodi ruler,
Bahlol Lodi. The Lodi’s were fiercely independent
people.
Lodi Theory of Kingship
After the death of Firoz Shah Tughlaq, the Delhi
Sultanate
was in chaos and confusion. The reasons were the rise
of
the Hindus in Hindustan and Rajputana, parallel rise of
Khokars of Punjab, Timur’s invasion and the re-
establishment of Muslim kingdom. Under such conditions
the
Delhi Government could not uphold the policies and
principles of the Delhi Sultan, much less they could
improve them. “But the
instances and the
traditions as
Prof. R.P. Tripathi writes, are as slow to die as they
are
to grow.”
In fact, only when the first Lodi ruler, Bahlol Lodi
ascended the Delhi Sultanate, did it recover from the
paralyzing shocks, which, it had earlier received. But
the
instances and traditions of the Turkish rulers were
very
different from the Afghans in many respects. They had
to
continue as Dr. A.B. Pandey writes, “the Turkish
Government
evolved in 250 years”. They did bring a few changes in
their instances. The Lodi Theory of Kingship is the
most
appropriate example of the changes keeping in view the
Afghan tribal traditions and the pressures of the
contemporary leaders of social and political groups.
The Turkish rulers like Allauddin Khilji and Balban had
introduced a centralized monarchy with dignity and awe
contrary to the Afghans who had a tribal monarchy of
confederate character. But soon, the successive Lodi
rulers, Sikander and Ibrahim Lodi realized its
weaknesses
in Indian conquests.
Bahlol Lodi (1451 A.D – 1498 A.D.) adopted a tribal
approach to the Theory of Kingship. How Bahlol Lodi was
able to successfully complete his campaign to the
throne
makes interesting reading. Muhammad Shah’s powers had
become so depleted that his control ended where Panipat
began. So in a certain campaign against forces from
Malwa,
Muhammad asked for Bahlol’s help. Lodi agreed and
defeated
the Malwa forces in a swift and well-planned night
attack.
Muhammad Shah was so happy about this victory that he
honoured Bahlol by bestowing the title of Khan Khanam
on
him and indeed styled him his son. Bahlol was also
given
Lahore and other areas. All this bonhomie didn’t last
for
long and Bahlol soon fell out with Muhammad, went back
to
his dominion and declared himself Sultan Bahlol.