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The Lodhi Dynasty was the first and last Afghan dynasty to rule in South
Asia, with the exception of Sher Shah Suri, the only other Afghan who ruled this
region. The Lodhi elders served in the court of Firuz Shah and Khizar Khan and
held positions of responsibility. Buhlul Lodhi, the founder of the dynasty, was
the governor of Sarhind. When the Saiyids became weak, he first occupied the
province of Punjab and later on captured the throne of Delhi. His coronation was
held on April 19, 1451. He took the title of Sultan Abul Muzzaffar Buhlul Shah
Ghazi. In the following era of anarchy, there were a number of attempts to
destabilize the newly established rule. But with the help of the Afghans, Buhlul
managed to secure the foundations of the House of Lodhis. He also managed to
capture a number of nearby states that had become independent in the final days
of the Tughluqs and Saiyids.
When Buhlul died in July 1489, his son Nizam Khan succeeded him. Nizam took over
the crown on July 17, 1489. He assumed the title of Sikandar Shah. Sikandar
proved to be the most capable ruler of the Lodhi Dynasty. He not only managed to
crush the revolts of his relatives, but was also able to establish just
administration in India. He was the founder of the historical city of Agra. Like
his father, Sikandar also died a natural death in November 1516.
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