Twilight of the Sultanate c14.2

c14.2

Bahlūl Lodi's sudden death in camp provided an opportunity to the Afghan nobles to push forward the claims of their favourite princes for the throne. Bahlūl had nine sons,¹ of whom (since Khwājā Bayezīd the eldest had pre-deceased his father), Nizām Khan, Bārbak Shāh, 'Ālam Khan and Fatēh Khan were possible claimants. Before marching to Gwalior the late Sultan, pleased with Nizām Khan's work against the rebels of the Punjab and Multan, had appointed him to the charge of Delhi and had also nominated him as the heir-apparent.² But about the time of his death some influential Lodī Amīrs prevailed upon the king to nominate as his successor his grandson Āzam Humayūn, son of Khwājā Bayezīd and governor of Kalpi. Unable to resist their solicitation Sultan Bahlūl sent for Nizām Khan from Delhi to convey to him his eleventh hour decision. But 'Umar Khan Sarwanī, the Vazīr, who was not a party to this choice, sent word to Nizām warning him not to leave Delhi. The prince, therefore, delayed his departure and meanwhile Bahlūl died at Milaulī near Saket.