Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414 CE): Founded by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (Ghazi Malik). Known for its vast territorial expansion under Muhammad bin Tughlaq and welfare measures under Firuz Shah Tughlaq. Marked by ambitious but often disastrous administrative experiments.
Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq (1320-1325 CE): Founder of the Tughlaq dynasty. Built the city of Tughlaqabad. Focused on restoring order and improving agriculture. Introduced a postal system.
Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325-1351 CE): Son of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq. Known for five ambitious experiments: transfer of capital from Delhi to Devagiri (Daulatabad), introduction of token currency, taxation in Doab, Khurasan expedition, and Qarachil expedition. Established Diwan-i-Kohi for agricultural development.
Firuz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388 CE): Cousin of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Known for his welfare state policies. Built numerous canals (e.g., from Yamuna to Hisar), new towns (Hisar, Firozabad, Jaunpur, Fatehabad). Established Diwan-i-Khairat (charity department), Diwan-i-Bandagan (department of slaves), and Dar-ul-Shafa (free hospital). Imposed Jaziya on Brahmins. Made iqta system hereditary.
Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451 CE): Founded by Khizr Khan, a former governor of Multan, who was a nominee of Timur. This dynasty was largely weak and saw the significant decline of the Delhi Sultanate's power, with many regional kingdoms asserting independence.
Khizr Khan (1414-1421 CE): Founder of the Sayyid dynasty. Did not assume the title of Sultan, instead ruling as 'Raiyat-i-Ala' (vassal) of Timur's successors.
Mubarak Shah (1421-1434 CE): Son of Khizr Khan. Assumed the title of 'Shah'. The historian Yahya Sirhindi wrote 'Tarikh-i-Mubarak Shahi' during his reign, providing valuable insights into the period.
Lodi Dynasty (1451-1526 CE): Founded by Bahlul Lodi, an Afghan chief. Marked a period of Afghan resurgence in the Delhi Sultanate. Known for its distinct architectural style and attempts to restore the Sultanate's prestige.
Bahlul Lodi (1451-1489 CE): Founder of the Lodi dynasty. Restored the prestige of the Delhi Sultanate by consolidating power and conquering regional kingdoms, most notably Jaunpur. Maintained an 'Afghan tribal confederacy' approach to governance.
Sikandar Lodi (1489-1517 CE): Son of Bahlul Lodi. Shifted the capital from Delhi to Agra in 1504 CE. Introduced 'Gaz-i-Sikandari' (a new land measurement unit). Patronized learning and arts. Known for his religious intolerance, including the destruction of Hindu temples.
Ibrahim Lodi (1517-1526 CE): Last ruler of the Lodi dynasty and the Delhi Sultanate. His autocratic rule alienated Afghan nobles. Defeated and killed by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526 CE, marking the end of the Delhi Sultanate and the beginning of the Mughal Empire.