Lot 342

Malwa Sultanate, Ibrahim Shah Lodi of Dehli (AH 927-932, 1521-1525 AD), Silver 1/2 Tanka, 5.20 gms 15.18 mm, AH (9)31, Obv: al-Wathiq bil-malik al-multaji abu al fath ibrahim shah, Rev: ibn sikandar shah Lodi al-sultan khallada mulkahu, G&G # M195, very fine+, very rare.

The last Sultan of Delhi was an unlucky man. When his father Sikander Lodi died, the nobles of the court saw an opportunity to curtail the power of the dynasty. So they created a dual monarchy and around the time that Ibrahim Shah Lodi ascended the throne in Delhi in 1517, his brother Jalal Khan was crowned an independent emperor in Jaunpur. Goaded on by a trusted governor from the Sultanate, Ibrahim soon escalated matters and eventually gave orders to have his brother thrown into prison. Jalal Khan and his other brothers fled first to Gwalior, then to Malwa and finally to Gondwana, where he was captured by the Gonds and later, murdered on his way to prison.

This experience made Ibrahim Lodi suspicious of his nobles and other royalty. The perfect conditions to foment rebellion. Soon enough, the states of Sambhal, Dholpur and Gwalior began to revolt against the Sultanate. In 1519, the Punjab provinces rebelled as well. Lodi went to war a few times against Rana Sangha and the Rajputs, and ultimately lost both military might and precious territory. Then, the final nail in the coffin: When Daulat Khan Lodi, governor of Punjab, was summoned by the Sultan, he sent his son Dilwar Khan instead. This enraged our emperor, who threatened to imprison Dilwar. As soon as his son returned safely, Daulat Khan sent him to Kabul to call upon Babur and invite him to overthrow Ibrahim Lodi. Enter the Mughals, exit stage right Lodi.

The fortress of Chanderi had come under the control of Sikandar Lodi in AH 921 during the course of the civil war in Malwa between Mahmud Shah II and his brother Muhammad Shah II. On that occasion, Muhammad Shah II had again been proclaimed king and coins are known struck in his name in that year. It appears that Muhammad Shah II died soon after and his heir, Ahmad Shah, remained in charge of the place on behalf of the Lodi King. It is reported that after Sikandar Lodi died in AH 923, Ahmad did not acknowledge the sovereignty of Delhi in an adequate manner. The new ruler at Delhi, Ibrahim Lodi, therefore, sent Shaikzada Manhju to recover Chanderi. This, he did and Miyan Husain Farmuli was appointed governor there. Malwa-style coins with the Chanderi mint-mark were struck in the name of the Delhi ruler Ibrahim Lodi in both silver and copper.