Twilight of the Sultanate c13.s5.6

c13.s5.6

Bahlūl Lodī could achieve such success in the political field firstly, because he was a distinguished military leader, and secondly, because he could tactfully manage his turbulent Afghan nobles and channelise their energies for the betterment of the state. About his martial qualities 'Abdulla pays a just tribute. "From the day he (Bahlūl) became king," says he, "no one achieved a victory over him ; nor did he once leave the field until he had gained the day, or been carried off wounded."¹³⁸ The statement suffers from exaggeration ; but it is a fact that in war Bahlūl was as clever as he was courageous. The persistence and consistency with which he fought the Sharqī kings and ultimately annexed their kingdom speaks for his brilliance as an army commander. In victory he was chivalrous. When the queen consort of Husain Sharqī fell into his hands he treated her with respect and sent her back to her husband, knowing full well that she was the one who was constantly nagging her husband to attack Delhi. For a victorious Muslim sultan in Medieval India, this treatment was unique.