Twilight of the Sultanate c16.s3.2

c16.s3.2

After Tīmūr's invasion not much is known about the educational system until Sikandar Lodī came to power. Himself a poet and litterateur, Sikandar encouraged learning in every way. He established Madrasās in all parts of his kingdom and appointed distinguished scholars to the charge of the colleges at Agra and other places. He wanted to raise the percentage of the educated, especially among the Afghans, and therefore insisted on compulsory education of his military officers.⁷² According to the author of the *Akhbārul Akhyār*, the Sultan invited learned men from Arabia, Iran and Central Asia to India and many of them adopted Hindustan as their home. Shaikh Husain Tāhir, who lived during the reigns of Bahlūl and Sikandar, was known as a walking encyclopaedia.⁷³ Two distinguished brothers, Shaikh 'Abdulla and Shaikh 'Azīzullā Tulambī, were invited from Multan and appointed Principals of the colleges at Agra and Sambhal respectively. 'Abdulla⁷⁴ produced forty good disciples of whom Miān Ladhan, Jamāl Khan Dehlvi, Miān Shaikh of Gwalior and Miān Saiyyad of Badaon are well known.⁷⁵ Sikandar Lodī himself often attended 'Abdulla's lectures. He used to enter the class with silent steps, listened with humility, and when he left he offered the customary salutation.⁷⁶ Shaikh 'Azīzullā's two distinguished disciples were Miān Hātim Sambalī and Shaikh Ilah Diya Jaunpurī. The Sultan founded schools at Mathura and Narwar also, which were open to all without discrimination of caste or creed.⁷⁷ Learning thus "spread in the country".⁷⁸