Decline of the Sayyid Dynasty

Timeline

1. 1440–1445Delhi · DelhiDuring Muhammad Shah's reign rebellions and conspiracies were constant and central authority disintegrated: the Langah dynasty of Multan declared independence, the Sayyid dynasty of Sharqi occupied eastern territories, and many local chiefs ceased paying tribute. In 1443 Bahlul, leader of the Lodi family, attacked Delhi unsuccessfully, showing the center could no longer suppress local strongmen. Before his death Muhammad Shah summoned his son Alam Shah back to court and named him successor.
2. 1445–1448Badaun · Uttar PradeshThe last sultan Ala-ud-Din Alam Shah was weak in character, delegating state affairs to his minister Hamid Khan and appointing Bahlul as governor of Sirhind. The sultan left Delhi around 1448 and long resided at Badaun, effectively abandoning governance of the capital. Vizier Hamid Khan in turn invited Lodi forces to take power, leaving the dynasty a shell of its former self.
3. 1451Delhi · DelhiOn April 19, 1451, Alam Shah voluntarily ceded the throne of the Delhi Sultanate to Bahlul Lodi, retiring to Badaun until his death in 1478. The Sayyid Dynasty, lasting thirty-seven years, came to an end; North India entered the Lodi Dynasty era, also marking the failure of the long effort to rebuild central authority in Delhi after Timur's invasion.