Battle of Multan (1475)

Battle of Multan
Part of Langah-Lodi War
Date 1475 Location Multan (Punjab) Result Langah victory
Belligerents
Langah Sultanate	Lodi dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Sultan Husseyn Shah Langah	Bärbak Shah Lodi Tätar Khan Lodi
Strength
10,000–12,000 light and heavy cavalry	Unknown (larger)
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Heavy

The Battle of Multan was fought between Langah Sultanate and Invading forces of Lodi dynasty. The battle resulted in a decisive Langah victory.

Background

After the death of Sultan Qutb-ud-din, his son Husseyn Langah took the throne of Multan. He strengthened his rule by expanding his territory and fortifying his defenses.Meanwhile, the Delhi Sultanate, under Bahlul Lodi, sought to conquer Multan. Seizing an opportunity, Bahlul sent his son Barbak Shah along with Tatar Khan Lodi to invade Multan while Sultan Husseyn was engaged elsewhere.

Battle

At the time of the invasion, Sultan Husseyn was in Kot Karor dealing with a rebellion by his brother who took on the title Sultan Shihab-ud-din. After defeating and imprisoning his brother, Husseyn received intelligence that the Delhi army had reached Multan and set up camp north of the city.Without hesitation, Sultan Husseyn raced back to Multan overnight, crossing the Sindh River and reaching the city before dawn. He immediately gathered his forces, dividing them into two groups: one to defend the fort and another 10,000-12,000-strong army to engage the enemy in battle.

At sunrise, the Langah forces marched out of the city and confronted the Delhi army head-on. Sultan Husseyn ordered his cavalry to dismount and fight on foot, launching a coordinated volley of arrows at the enemy. The first 12,000 arrows caused widespread confusion in the Delhi ranks.A second volley further disorganized them, and by the third, the Lodi troops panicked and began to flee.The Delhi army retreated past Shor and did not stop until they reached Khanewal, too afraid to regroup at their own forts. Husseyn’s forces seized large amounts of weapons and supplies left behind in the chaos.

Aftermath

Sultan Husseyn Langah won a decisive victory, securing Multan’s independence and the Delhi army suffered heavy losses and abandoned their campaign. Later, this victory allowed Husseyn to negotiate peace with Sultan Sikandar Lodi, ensuring stability for Multan.