Delhi Sultanates: Sayyid Dynasty

The Sayyid dynasty emerged as the fourth dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, succeeding the Tughlaq dynasty.
Khizir Khan, the Multan ruler, and Timur’s Indian subordinate, established the dynasty.
The Sayyid Dynasty was founded by a dynasty claiming to be Sayyids or descended from Mohammed.
This dynasty came to power during extreme unrest in Delhi and the surrounding areas.

Sayyid Khizr Khan was the founder and ruler of the Sayyid dynasty after the invasion of Timur and the fall of the Tughlaq dynasty.
He was at ease with Rayati-Ala and did not take on the title of Sultan; instead, he ruled under the name of Timur.
He was the governor of Multan under Firuz Shah Tughlaq.
He established law and order in the empire by putting down uprisings.
His army subjugated Gujarat, Bayana, and Gwalior.
After that, the ruler of Sirhind agreed to provide Khizr Khan an annual tribute as his army advanced against Sirhind.

In order to quell uprisings and re-establish order, Mubarak Shah undertook expeditions throughout the country.
He succeeded in Bhatinda and the Doab, but could not subdue the Khokhars of Punjab.
He minted coins in his honor and dubbed himself Muizz-ud-Din Mubarak Shah.
Jasrat Khokhar, a Muslim chieftain from Punjab who was forced to flee Delhi after losing a battle and ceding a sizable portion of his land to the Delhi Sultan, posed the biggest danger to the ruler’s authority.
On the banks of the Yamuna River, he established the new city of Mubarakabad during his reign.
In the end, Mubarak Shah was killed in 1434 CE after giving in to the conspirators.

The Sayyid emperors constructed magnificent tombs for themselves and their kin. E.g.- Mubarak Shah Sayyid’s Tomb was constructed of red sandstone and has an octagonal shape.
There were developments in the decorative arts during the Sayyid era.
Various buildings and products were embellished with elaborate calligraphy, stone carvings, and decorative motifs that reflected the creative sensitivities of the time.

They were patrons of Persian literature. Persian served as the court language of the Delhi Sultanate. During their reign, Persian literary works were produced as a result of their support for Persian intellectuals.
Sufism flourished during their reign. Sufi saints and poets propagated moral and spiritual ideals through their mystical and devotional poetry in Persian and other regional languages.