AN UNHEALTHY EGO THAT DESTROYED A KINGDOM

At 19, Ibrahim Lodi, the eldest son of Sikander Shah, inherited the throne of Delhi, the kingdom of his grandfather Bahlol Lodi and his father Sikander Shah. They were Afghans and the Afghani aristocracy was a powerful political force that both Bahlol Lodi and Sikander Shah kept placated to retain their position.

Ibrahim Lodi too had to contend with the Afghani nobles in the 9 years of his rule. They were rapacious and unconcerned about courtly etiquette, demanding that the ruler be devoid of airs and accord them due respect. Bahlol Lodi was always humble and sat on a carpet with his nobles, rather than the throne. His son Sikander Shah

largely followed the same methods. It ensured the loyalty of the Afghan nobility. Ibrahim Lodi failed to recognize that arrogance and contempt for the nobles were a disaster of his creation. Disaffection, revolts, and discontent led to the fragmentation of the Delhi Sultanate; he undid the work of his father and grandfather who had struggled to re-create the Delhi Sultanate, particularly after the disastrous foray by Timur.

Daulat Khan Lodi, the governor of Punjab, and Alauddin, the uncle of Ibrahim Lodi invited Babur to invade the kingdom. On April 21, 1526, Babur ended the Lodi Dynasty at the battle of Panipat. Ibrahim Lodi perished in that battle and with him died the Delhi Sultanate.

THE PAINTING DEPICTS THE DEFEAT OF IBRAHIM LODI AT THE FIRST BATTLE OF PANIPAT ON APRIL 21, 1526.

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