The Lodi–Sharqi War (1452–1500) were a series of prolonged conflicts between the Lodi dynasty of Delhi and the Sharqi dynasty of Jaunpur in northern India. The wars originated from the power vacuum following the decline of the Sayyid dynasty. Bahlul Lodi, who seized the Delhi throne in 1451, sought to expand his authority over the fragmented territories of the former Delhi Sultanate. The Sharqi rulers, particularly Mahmud Shah Sharqi () and later Husain Shah (), aimed to capture Delhi and restore Jaunpur's rule in the region. The conflicts evolved through multiple phases throughout the mid-fifteenth century.
Early clashes from 1452 to 1479 witnessed repeated Sharqi attempts to conquer Delhi. Major battles such as Delhi (1452), Narela (1452), Etawah (1455), Shamsabad (1456), Chandwar (1469), the Yamuna (1469), and Kachh (1479). Despite several near-victories, Husain Sharqi was repeatedly defeated due to Lodi tactical brilliance and internal Sharqi weaknesses. By 1484, Bahlul Lodi captured the Sharqi capital Jaunpur, annexing western part. Under Sikandar Lodi (), the wars continued as Husain Shah, operating from Bihar and Chunar, incited zamindar rebellions and launched further campaigns. Key later engagements included the Battle of Chaund (1492), battles at Chunar and Bhata (1493–94). Following the Battle of Benares (1494), Husain Shah fled to his ally Bengal Sultanate territory, leaving the eastern part of his kingdom under Lodi occupation. The wars effectively ended in 1500 with Husain Shah's failed capture of Bihar. He retreated to Colgong, where he lived until his death in 1505. The conflicts resulted in the complete annihilation of the Sharqi kingdom, the expansion of Lodis to Jaunpur and Bihar.
Background After Muhammad Shah's death, his son Alauddin Alam Shah () became ruler of the Sayyid dynasty. He inherited only a small territory consisting of Delhi, Badaun, Palam and few parganas. The rest of the areas were held by powerful chiefs. The tract from Mehrauli to Lado Sarai was under Ahmad Khan Mewati. Darya Khan Lodi held Sambhal district up to the fort of Khwaja Khizr near Delhi. Isa Khan possessed Koil (Aligarh) and Jalali. Qutb Khan, controlled Rapri. Rai Pratap, retained independent ownership of Patiali in Aliganj, Bhongaon. Daud Khan Auhadi held Kampil and Bayana. Meanwhile, Bahlul Lodi occupied Sirhind, Lahore, Sunam, and Hisar Firuza up to Panipat. Bahlul Khan Lodi controlled Punjab up to Panipat. In 1447, Bahlul Lodi attacked Delhi. Alam Shah, proved to be a weak ruler of the Sayyid dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate. Although he held nominal authority while real power rested with his wazir, Hamid Khan. His brother-in-law, Mahmud Shah of Jaunpur was now very eager to claim Delhi. In 1448, Alam Shah permanently moved to Badaun. He left management of Delhi to his two brothers-in-law. Enmity between the two brothers spoiled affairs of the capital. Finally, one killed the other. Then people of the city killed the remaining one on instigation of Hisam Khan, former wazir. Alam Shah was informed by opponents of Hamid Khan that all this was conspiracy of Hamid Khan. He ordered to arrest and execution of Hamid Khan. But Hamid Khan escaped from prison and ran to Delhi. There Hisam Khan joined him. Hamid Khan entered the harem of the Sultan, driving out the Sultan's wife, sons and daughters bareheaded from the citadel. Then he took the treasures and declared sovereignty. Alam Shah could not return to Delhi due to heavy rains. This gave courage to Hamid Khan. He planned to put another person on the throne. Alam Shah called Bahlul Lodi from Sirhind. Bahlul proceeding to Delhi with a large army, negotiated with Hamid Khan and took keys of the citadel in 1451. Later he arrested Hamid Khan and took the sovereignty himself. Mahmud Sharqi's wife being alarmed hearing this, persuaded her husband to attack Bahlul. Bahlul Lodi pretended to apologize humbly and offered a warm welcome, but Sultan Mahmud Sharqi saw through the deception and refused. Meanwhile, some dissatisfied amirs of Alam Shah defected to Mahmud's court during Bahlul's absence in Punjab and invited him to Delhi. Already having assembled a large army, Mahmud became decided to seize Delhi's throne.
Early conflicts (1452)
Siege of Delhi In 1452 AD, Mahmud Shah invaded Delhi. Bahlul Lodi tried to avoid war by sending humble messages and showing submissiveness. However, Mahmud ignored these overtures. Taking advantage of Bahlul's absence from Delhi, Mahmud marched with a massive army consisting of 170,000 cavalry and infantry along with 1,400 war elephants and laid siege to the capital. As soon as Bahlul received news of the invasion, he immediately turned back from Dipalpur. The garrison at Delhi decided to wait until Bahlul arrived with a relieving force. Bahlul's son Khwaja Bayazid and mother-in-law Bibi Matto and other nobles shut themselves inside the fort to defend it. To make the defenders appear stronger than they actually were, Bibi Matto cleverly dressed up the women as men and posted them as guards along the walls. Meanwhile, Shah Sikandar Sarwani tried to halt Sharqi assault. Mahmud Shah overwhelmed the garrison. Left with no choice, Bayazid Khan and Sarwani approached to negotiate terms of surrender. They sent Sayyid Shamsuddin with the keys of the fort to Darya Khan Lodi, one of Sultan Mahmud Sharqi's senior commanders who was a Lodi Afghan. Before handing over the keys, Sayyid Shamsuddin requested a private meeting and cleverly persuaded Darya Khan. Deeply moved by these words and Darya Khan immediately returned the keys without accepting them. He then went back to Mahmud Sharqi and convinced the Sultan that Bahlul was rapidly approaching Delhi with a large army. Instead of taking the fort immediately, it would be better to keep the garrison trapped inside while the main Sharqi forces moved to intercept and crush Bahlul's army. Once Bahlul was defeated, Delhi would fall automatically. Mahmud Sharqi, though somewhat doubtful, accepted Darya Khan's advice. Thus, the clever stratagem succeeded. The pressure on the fort was temporarily eased, and the defenders gained precious time while the Mahmud Shah dispatched a force towards Bahlul's approaching forces. The two armies met at Narela and a decisive battle followed.
Battle of Narela At the suggestion of Darya Khan Lodi, Sultan Mahmud dispatched a large force of 30,000 cavalry and 30 elephants under Fath Khan Harawi and Darya Khan Lodi to intercept Bahlul Lodi and prevent him from relieving Delhi. The two armies clashed at Narela, about 17 miles north of Delhi. Bahlul had significantly smaller army of 14,000 troops. He appealed to Afghan chiefs for support, and many had joined him. The battle began when Lodi troops seized Sharqi camels and bullocks grazing nearby, forcing the engagement. During the fierce fighting, Qutb Khan Lodi, shot and disabled Fath Khan Harawi's war elephant, causing disorder in the Sharqi ranks. Qutb Khan then persuaded Darya Khan Lodi utilizing tribal loyalty with the same emotional argument used earlier in Delhi. Darya Khan, already inclined to defect, withdrew his forces from the battlefield on the condition that he would not be pursued. His sudden betrayal caused panic and confusion in the Sharqi army. Left unsupported, Fath Khan Harawi fought on but was ultimately defeated and captured. He was then beheaded by Rai Karan of Shamsabad, whose brother Rai Pithora had earlier been killed by Fath Khan. His severed head was presented to Bahlul Lodi. The decisive victory at Narela shattered the Sharqi expedition.
The defeated Sharqi forces now fell back and returned to Sultan Mahmud Sharqi's camp, which was still besieging Delhi. The arrival of the broken and defeated troops spread confusion and panic in the Sharqi ranks. When Bibi Matto learned of this, she immediately ordered the drums of victory to be beaten from the fort. This unexpected sound confused Sultan Mahmud, who was already disheartened by his army's rout at Narela. Mahmud abandoned the siege and retreated to Jaunpur.
Lodi–Sharqi War (1455–1457)
Battle of Etawah (1455) By 1455, Bahlol Lodi consolidated his power in the neighbouring jagirs. His submission and expulsion of Etawah's governor, a Sharqi vassal, renewed conflict with Jaunpur. On hearing of Bahlul's annexation of Etawah, Sultan Mahmud marched against him. After an indecisive battle near Etawah, peace was mediated by Qutb Khan Lodi and Rai Pratap. The terms agreed were: territories held by Sultan Mubarak Shah of Delhi would go to Bahlul, while those held by Sultan Ibrahim of Jaunpur would remain with Mahmud Sharqi; Bahlul would return the seven elephants captured at the Battle of Narela (1452); and Shamsabad which was held by Juna Khan, would be transferred to Bahlul after the rains. Both monarchs then returned to their capitals.
Battle of Shamsabad (1456) Bahlul Lodi asked Juna Khan to hand over Shamsabad to his nominee, Rai Karan, as per the treaty. When Juna Khan refused, Bahlul marched on Shamsabad in 1456. He expelled Juna Khan, and installed Rai Karan. Juna Khan sought help from the Jaunpur court. Sultan Mahmud, regretting the earlier agreement, broke the treaty and attacked Bahlul's forces in Shamsabad. Qutb Khan and Darya Khan Lodi launched a night attack on the Sharqi army, but Qutb Khan was captured. He was sent to Jaunpur and remained in captivity for seven months. Bahlul left Prince Jalal Khan and Prince Sikandar to assist Rai Karan in defending Shamsabad and himself marched against Sultan Mahmud. At this point, Sultan Mahmud suddenly fell ill and died in 1457. Bibi Raji, Mahmud's widow, placed her son Prince Bhikhan Khan on the throne with the support of the nobles. The new ruler assumed the title of Muhammad Shah. The war was soon ended through mediation by nobles of both sides. A fresh treaty was concluded, under which territories held by the late Sultan Mahmud remained with Muhammad Shah, while those belonging to Sultan Alauddin Alam Shah stayed with Bahlul. Both kings then returned to their respective capitals.
Battle of Sirsuti (1457) When Bahlul was returning to Delhi, his wife Shams Khatun dispatched a message urging him to save her brother, Qutb Khan in captivity. Bahlul marched to Jaunpur. Muhammad Shah also marched to oppose him. Reaching Shamsabad, he expelled its governor Rai Karan and appointed Juna Khan. He then encamped at Sirsuti to oppose Bahlul. The Delhi forces reached Rapri near Sirsuti, encamping there. The two armies exchanged skirmish for several days without a decisive result.
Sultan Muhammad finding his nobles disloyal, decided to crush all rivals of the throne. He ordered the execution of his brothers, Hasan Khan and Qutb Khan Lodi who were imprisoned. Hasan Khan was executed in the absence of their mother. Enraged by her son's treachery, Bibi Raji secretly contacted Princes Husain Khan and Jalal Khan, who were at the camp to defect. She encamped near Kannauj. Husain Khan deserted Muhammad Shah and proceeded to Jaunpur. Jalal Khan fell into the hand of Bahlul while returning and was captured. He was kept as a hostage for Qutb Khan Lodi. On reaching Kannauj, prince Husain and Sharqi nobles joined Bibi Raji who declared Husain as king. Weakened by desertions, Muhammad Shah fled but was pursued and later killed in battle at Rajgir ford by Jaunpur army under Bibi Raji and Husain Shah. Husain Shah made a truce with Bahlul on the status quo for three years and exchanged Qutb Khan and Jalal Khan as prisoners. Sharqis retained Shamsabad reinstalling Juna Khan. Rai Pratap who previously joined the Sharqis now turned back to Bahlul.
Lodi–Sharqi War (1468–1471)
Battle of Chandwar (1469)