Question

The Sultan of the Sultanate of Delhi who transferred his capital from Delhi to Agra was _____.
A. Khizr Khan
B. Bahlol Lodhi
C. Sikandar Lodhi
D. Ibrahim Lodhi

Answer 1

Hint: Delhi has been the nodal city for most rulers which was declared as the capital in the Medieval period. The Delhi Sultanate, as well as the Mughal empire, found the seat of Delhi to be the crucial centre to rule all over Northern and Central India. There are very few instances where the capital was shifted to another city for a better administration, maintaining religious harmony and for military purposes. Twice has the capital been shifted from Delhi to Agra.

Complete answer: The major seat of power for the Afghan rulers in the Delhi Sultanate has been the region of Agra. Even after the establishment of the Mughal dynasty, Afghan forces remained major rivals with consolidated power in Agra. During the Delhi Sultanate, it was Sultan Sikandar Lodhi of the Lodhi dynasty who had transferred his capital to Agra. Lodhi dynasty was the last in Delhi Sultanate and was overthrown by Babur who established the Mughal dynasty.
This city on the banks of river Yamuna is even attributed to having been found by Sikander Lodhi as it rose to prominence after this shift.
Looking at the other options;
Option A- Khizr Khan was the founder of the Sayyid dynasty and took over Delhi. He did not change his capital from Delhi. So this is an incorrect option.
Option B- Bahlol Lodhi was the founder of the Lodhi dynasty and like the Sayyid dynasty, kept his capital at Delhi. So this is incorrect.
Option C- Sikander Lodhi had shifted his capital from Delhi to Agra in 1504. So this is the correct option.
Option D- Ibrahim Lodhi was the last ruler of the Lodhi dynasty and was defeated by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat. His capital was in Delhi. So this is an incorrect option.
Thus, the correct answer is Option (C).

Note: In the Mughal dynasty, the capital was shifted to Agra from Delhi by Akbar. This remained so during the reign of Jahangir too and was shifted back to Delhi by Shahjahan.