The Sayyids

The Sayyid dynasty, the fourth in the line of the Delhi Sultanate, assumed power after the Tughlaq dynasty. Their rule spanned from 1414 to 1451, covering a period of 37 years. Khizr Khan, the ruler of Multan and Timur's representative in India, established this dynasty. The Sayyid Dynasty claimed descent from Sayyids, who were believed to be descendants of Mohammed.

This dynasty emerged during a tumultuous period in Delhi and its neighboring regions. The following discussion focuses on the Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451 AD), offering valuable insights for those preparing for the UPSC exam.

Sayyid Dynasty - Background

Sayyid Dynasty

• Successor to the Tughlaq dynasty, preceding the Lodhi dynasty
• Founded by Khizr Khan, former Governor of Multan under Firuz Shah Tughlaq
• Ruled the Sultanate until supplanted by the Lodhi dynasty

Decline of the Sayyid Dynasty

• Initiated with the death of Mubarak Shah, the second ruler
• Muhammad Shah and Alauddin Alam Shah, weak monarchs, contributed to the decline
• Ultimately replaced by Bahlol Lodhi

Lineage Claim

• Rulers of the Sayyid dynasty asserted descent from Prophet Muhammad through Fatima and Ali
• Supported by the Tarikh-i-Mubarak shahi, authored by Yahya Sirhindi

Important Rulers of Sayyid Dynasty

Khizr Khan (1414 - 1421 AD)

• Sayyid Khizr Khan, the founder and ruler of the Sayyid dynasty, governed northern India from 1414 to 1421, following the Timur invasion and the collapse of the Tughlaq dynasty.
• Upon ascending the throne, Delhi was in a state of turmoil, marked by widespread chaos, confusion, and anarchy.
• The Hindu doab lords had declared independence, refusing to pay taxes to the Sultan, further contributing to the disorder.
• Khizr Khan restored law and order by quelling revolts and suppressing dissent across the empire.
• Successfully expanding his territory, Khizr Khan's forces conquered Gujarat, Bayana, and Gwalior.
• His army also marched against Sirhind, where the local king agreed to pay an annual tribute.
• Despite efforts to save him, Khizr Khan fell ill and passed away on May 20, 1421.
• Following his death, his son Mubarak Khan succeeded him as the ruler of the Sayyid dynasty.

Mubarak Shah (1421-1434 AD)

• The second ruler of the Sayyid Dynasty, Mubarak Shah, succeeded his father, Khizr Khan, on the throne.
• Mubarak Shah actively led expeditions across the kingdom to quell rebellions and reinstate order.
• While successful in Bhatinda and the Doab, he faced difficulties in suppressing the Khokhars of Punjab.
• Adopting the name Muizz-ud-Din Mubarak Shah, he minted coins in his honor to solidify his reign.
• Jasrat Khokhar, a significant local Muslim chieftain, posed a substantial threat, but Mubarak Shah defeated him, compelling his retreat from Delhi and the relinquishment of significant territories to the Delhi Sultan.
• During his rule, Mubarak Shah founded a new city named Mubarakabad along the banks of the Yamuna River.
• Eventually, Mubarak Shah fell victim to conspiracies and was assassinated in 1434 AD.
• With no sons to succeed him, his nephew Mohammed Shah assumed control of the Sayyid Dynasty.

Muhammad Shah (1434–1445 AD)

• With no direct heirs, Mubarak Shah adopted his nephew, Mohammed Shah, to succeed him.
• Following Mubarak Shah's death in 1434, Wazir Sarvar-ul-Mulk installed Muhammad-bin-Farid as Muhammad Shah on the throne.
• A plot by Sarvar-ul-Mulk to assassinate the Sultan was thwarted by the loyalty of another group, resulting in the execution of Wazir Sarvar-ul-Muld by the Sultan's men.
• In anticipation of an invasion, the Sultan of Malwa, Mahmood Shah, camped near Delhi. Unable to handle the situation, Muhammad Shah sought assistance from Bahlul Lodhi, the commander of Sirhind.
• Bahlul Lodhi's army successfully attacked Sultan Mahmood Shah's forces, leading to a treaty between Mahmood and Muhammad Shah due to Mahmood's challenging circumstances.
• Before his death in 1445, Muhammad Shah nominated his son Ala-ud-din Alam Shah as his successor.

Ala-ud-din Shah (1445-1451 AD)

• The fourth and final ruler of the Sayyid Dynasty, Ala-ud-din-Alam Shah, governed from 1445 to 1451, adopting the regnal name Alam Shah.
• Originally born Ala-ud-Din, he assumed the name Alam Shah upon ascending to the Dynasty.
• Similar to Muhammad Shah, Alam Shah proved to be an ineffective ruler and administrator.
• Spending his entire life in Baduan, a place he held in high regard, Alam Shah displayed a preference for a leisurely lifestyle.
• With a weakened central authority and a lack of control, Bahlol Lodhi, the governor of Lahore and Sarhind, capitalized on the situation, amassing strength to seize control of Delhi.
• Deposed from the throne in 1451 by Bahlul Lodhi, Alam Shah continued to rule Baduan until his death in 1478, marking the conclusion of the Sayyid dynasty.

Administration of the Sayyid Dynasty

• The Sayyid Dynasty maintained a highly centralized form of kingship, with the Sultan's authority being absolute and all-encompassing.
• The administration of the Sayyid Dynasty operated through a well-organized procedure, overseen by various ministers with specific responsibilities.
• The Sultan, as the head of state, wielded unrestricted power across all areas of state activity.
• The Naib held a position comparable to that of the Sultan, contributing to the hierarchical structure.
• The Wazir served as the state's Prime Minister, overseeing the financial department and playing a crucial role in governance.
• Shariah law was employed for decision-making, while non-Muslim cases were adjudicated based on their respective religious laws.
• Governors overseeing larger or more significant provinces possessed greater authority and influence.
• Local administration was characterized by a vague and undefined structure, primarily adhering to traditional systems.
• The empire was divided into numerous large and small tracts of land known as Iqtas, contributing to the overall administrative framework.

Economy of Sayyid Dynasty

• Trade and the economy during the Sayyid Dynasty faced challenges and were not flourishing.
• The Sayyids implemented corn duties, which were later revoked by the Lodhi dynasty.
• The Deccan region, a vital maritime commerce route, experienced disruptions in the 14th and 15th centuries CE, leading to a decline in trading routes.
• The collapse of these routes resulted in severed supply lines from the shore to the empire.
• The deterioration of the governmental structure, initiated during the Sayyid period, continued into the Lodhi era, contributing to further disintegration.
• Ultimately, the poor state of the economy played a significant role in the eventual downfall of the Sultanate.

Reasons for Decline of Sayyid Dynasty

• Mubarak Shah and Muhammad Shah's reigns were marked by internal revolts in provinces like Jaunpur, Etawah, Gwalior, Doab, and others within the Sultanate.
• Muhammad Shah severed ties with provincial kingdoms upon ascending to power, leading to revolts in the northwest, northeast, and middle provinces.
• The rulers were preoccupied with suppressing uprisings, diverting attention from governance and public welfare.
• The Khokhar rebellion played a significant role in the downfall of the Sayyid dynasty.
• Court intrigues and conspiracies further contributed to the decline.
• Weak rulers like Muhammad Shah and Alauddin Alam Shah failed to address the challenges effectively.
• Alam Shah's reign witnessed a rapid growth of Afghan influence, with Bahlul Lodhi eventually becoming the ruler of Punjab.
• Bahlul Lodhi's invasion of Delhi, aided by Sayyid wazir Hamid Khan, marked the end of the Sayyid dynasty as Lodhi assumed the throne of the Delhi Sultanate.

Conclusion

The Sayyid dynasty governed for a span of 37 years from 1414 to 1450. Khizr Khan initiated the dynasty, and it was subsequently steered by Mubarak Shah. However, the reigns of Emperors Muhammad Shah and Alam Shah proved feeble, unable to withstand the incursions of invaders, leading to the gradual decline of the dynasty upon their ascendancy. In 1451, Bahlul Lodhi ousted Ala-ud-din Alam Shah from the throne, marking the establishment of the Lodhi Dynasty.