Daulat Khan Lodi (Pashto: دولت خان لودی) was an influential governor and military leader in northern India during the final years of the Lodi dynasty. Appointed as the governor of Punjab under Ibrahim Lodi, the last ruler of the dynasty, Daulat Khan played a pivotal role in inviting Babur to invade India, which ultimately led to the establishment of the Mughal Empire.
Early Life and Career Of Daulat Khan Lodi
Daulat Khan Lodi was the son of Tatar Khan, the former Nizam of Punjab who served under Behlol Lodi, the founder of the Lodi dynasty. Tatar Khan had asserted a level of independence during his tenure, which Daulat Khan inherited when he took over as governor. Initially governing the Jalandhar Doab, Daulat Khan was later promoted to oversee the entire Punjab region, consolidating his influence and authority.
Daulat Khan remained loyal to the Lodi dynasty until the final years of Ibrahim Lodi’s reign. He grew discontented with Ibrahim, who was known for his suspicion and pride, and eventually chose to act against the ruler.
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Opposition to Ibrahim Lodi and Alliance with Babur Of Daulat Khan Lodi
By 1523, the Lodi dynasty was in turmoil due to internal conflicts. Daulat Khan, along with other powerful figures, opposed Ibrahim Lodi’s reign. To gauge the political situation, Daulat Khan sent his son, Ghazi Khan Lodi, to Delhi. Upon his return, Ghazi Khan warned his father of Ibrahim Lodi’s intentions to remove him from his position. In response, Daulat Khan reached out to Babur, the ruler of Kabul, offering his support in exchange for help against Ibrahim Lodi.
Babur accepted the offer, and in 1524, his forces invaded northern India, quickly capturing Lahore and Dipalpur. Despite his initial support for Babur, Daulat Khan became disillusioned when Babur assigned him governorship over Jalandhar and Sultanpur instead of Lahore, a territory Daulat coveted. Frustrated, Daulat Khan and his son Ghazi went into hiding, but his son Dilawar accepted the Sultanpur post and the title of Khan Khanan from Babur, betraying his father.
The Downfall of Daulat Khan Lodi
With Babur’s departure to Central Asia, Daulat Khan saw an opportunity to reclaim his lost influence. He joined Alam Khan, another of Ibrahim Lodi’s opponents, in an attempt to capture Delhi. However, due to betrayals within the ranks, the campaign failed. When Babur returned to India, Daulat Khan fled to the fortress of Milwat. Babur laid siege to Milwat, and Daulat Khan eventually surrendered. He died en route to Bhera, where Babur intended to imprison him.
The chain of events initiated by Daulat Khan’s invitation to Babur culminated in the Battle of Panipat in 1526, where Ibrahim Lodi was killed. This marked the end of the Lodi dynasty and the beginning of the Mughal Empire in India.
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Significance in Sikhism
During Daulat Khan’s rule, he employed Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, at his stores and granaries. Although complaints arose regarding Guru Nanak’s alleged wastage of resources, audits found the stores fully stocked. Daulat Khan’s support extended to defending Guru Nanak against religious authorities who accused him of spreading unorthodox beliefs. His leniency and respect for Guru Nanak reflect a more complex, tolerant aspect of his rule.
Legacy
Daulat Khan Lodi is remembered as a figure whose actions inadvertently led to the foundation of the Mughal Empire in India. His alliance with Babur, born out of discontent with Ibrahim Lodi’s rule, set in motion events that would reshape the Indian subcontinent for centuries. Though ultimately unsuccessful in retaining power for himself, Daulat Khan’s choices marked the end of the Lodi dynasty and opened the door for Mughal dominance.