Mastering Medieval Indian History is essential for scoring high in competitive exams. This era, marked by the synthesis of cultures, new administrative systems, and the rise and fall of mighty empires, is a high-yield area. This guide provides an in-depth breakdown, going beyond the basics to cover intricate details often asked in exams.
👉 Medieval Indian History
📌 Part 1: The Delhi Sultanate (1206 – 1526 CE) - Deep Dive
A. The Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty (1206-1290)
| Ruler | Reign | Key Contributions & Events |
|---|---|---|
| Qutb-ud-din Aibak | 1206-1210 | - Title: Lakh Baksh (Giver of Lakhs). - Capital: First at Lahore, then Delhi. - Foundations: Started the Qutb Minar (in honour of Sufi saint Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki) and the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque (using materials from 27 demolished Hindu and Jain temples). - Death: Died in 1210 while playing Chaugan (polo). |
| Aram Shah | 1210-1211 | - A weak ruler; nobles invited Iltutmish from Badaun to replace him. |
| Shams-ud-din Iltutmish | 1211-1236 | - The Real Founder: Saved the Sultanate from Qabacha and Yalduz. - Administration: Created the 'Group of Forty' (Turkan-i-Chahalgani), a corps of Turkish nobles. Introduced the Silver Tanka and Copper Jital. - Completed the construction of Qutb Minar. - Recognized by Caliph: Received a letter of investiture from the Abbasid Caliph, legitimizing his rule. |
| Rukn-ud-din Firoz | 1236 | - Incompetent; ruled for about 7 months. |
| Razia Sultana | 1236-1240 | - First & Last Woman Ruler. - Actions: Abandoned the veil, wore a qaba (tunic) and crown, presided over court. - Appointed an Abyssinian, Jamal-ud-din Yaqut, as Amir-i-Akhur, which angered the Turkish nobles. - Defeated and killed by the nobles near Kaithal. |
| Bahram Shah & Masud Shah | 1240-1246 | - Puppets in the hands of the nobles. |
| Nasir-ud-din Mahmud | 1246-1266 | - Known as the Darvesh King. His father-in-law and Prime Minister, Balban, held the real power. |
| Ghiyas-ud-din Balban | 1266-1287 | - Policy of Blood and Iron: A ruthless policy to suppress the rebellious nobles (Mewati Rajputs) and restore the prestige of the crown. - Broke the Power of the Chahalgani. - King's Supremacy: Introduced Sijda (prostration) and Paibos (kissing the monarch's feet). - Created Diwan-i-Arz (Military Department). - Theory of Kingship: Propounded the "Divine Right of Kings." |
B. The Khilji Dynasty (1290-1320)
| Ruler | Reign | Key Contributions & Events |
|---|---|---|
| Jalal-ud-din Firoz Khilji | 1290-1296 | - Founder of the dynasty at an old age. - Adopted a lenient policy. - Murdered by his nephew and son-in-law, Alauddin. |
| Alauddin Khilji | 1296-1316 | - Military Campaigns: - Gujarat (1299): Captured Raja Karna's wife, Kamla Devi, and slave Malik Kafur. - Ranthambore (1301): Against Hammir Deva. - Chittor (1303): Against Rana Ratan Singh. Legend of Padmini originates here. Renamed Chittor as Khizrabad. - Malwa (1305-06) and Deccan (1307-12): Led by Malik Kafur, who reached as far as Madurai. - Administrative Reforms: - Market Reforms: Fixed prices for all commodities; established four markets in Delhi. Controlled by Shahna-i-Mandi, Diwan-i-Riyasat, and Barid. - Military Reforms: Introduced Dagh (branding of horses) and Chehra (descriptive roll of soldiers). Paid soldiers in cash. - Land Revenue: Collected tax at 50% of the produce. Measured land and called it Mustahik. |
| Qutb-ud-din Mubarak Shah | 1316-1320 | - Last Khilji ruler. Killed by his Wazir, Khusrau Khan. |
C. The Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414)
| Ruler | Reign | Key Contributions & Events |
|---|---|---|
| Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq | 1320-1325 | - Founder. Built the city Tughlaqabad. - Killed when a wooden pavilion collapsed on him (suspected sabotage by his son, Jauna). |
| Muhammad bin Tughlaq | 1325-1351 | - The "Man of Ideas": 1. Taxation in Doab (1326-27): Increased land tax in the fertile Ganga-Yamuna doab during a famine. Failed. 2. Transfer of Capital (1327): Moved capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (Devagiri) in the Deccan. A disastrous move. 3. Token Currency (1329-30): Issued bronze/copper coins declared equal in value to silver coins. Led to widespread forgery. 4. Khorasan Expedition: A failed plan to invade. - Ibn Battuta, a Moroccan traveler, visited his court and wrote the Rihla. |
| Firoz Shah Tughlaq | 1351-1388 | - Adopted a Policy of Appeasement: Granted gifts and concessions to nobles and theologians. - Imposed Jaziya as a separate tax. - Built new towns: Firozabad, Hissar-Firoza, Jaunpur, Fatehabad. - Public Works: Built canals, hospitals (Dar-ul-shafa), and rest houses. - Established Diwan-i-Khairat (for charity) and Diwan-i-Bundagan (for slaves). - Wrote his autobiography, Futuhat-i-Firozshahi. |
| Later Tughlaqs | 1388-1414 | - Period of decline. Timur's Invasion (1398) during the reign of Nasir-ud-din Mahmud Tughlaq shattered the Delhi Sultanate. |
D. The Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451) & The Lodi Dynasty (1451-1526)
Sayyid Dynasty: Founded by Khizr Khan, who claimed to be a deputy (Rayat-i-Ala) of Timur. Ruled as nominal chiefs.
Lodi Dynasty (Afghan):
Bahlul Lodi (1451-1489): Founder. Consolidated his rule.
Sikandar Lodi (1489-1517): Most capable Lodi.
- Founded the city of Agra in 1504.
- Introduced Gaz-i-Sikandari (unit for land measurement).
- A patron of learning; wrote Persian verses under the pen name Gulrukhi.Ibrahim Lodi (1517-1526):
- Alienated the Afghan nobles by his arrogant behaviour.
- Daulat Khan Lodi, the governor of Punjab, invited Babur to invade India.
- Defeated and killed in the First Battle of Panipat (1526).
📌 Part 2: The Mughal Empire (1526 – 1857 CE) - In-Depth Analysis
Foundations and Early Struggles
Babur (1526-1530):
Battles:
1. First Battle of Panipat (1526): Used Ottoman (Rumi) device of the Tulughma tactic and cannons to defeat Ibrahim Lodi.
2. Battle of Khanwa (1527): Defeated Rana Sanga of Mewar. Took the title Ghazi.
3. Battle of Chanderi (1528): Against Medini Rai.
4. Battle of Ghaghra (1529): Defeated the Afghans.Literary Work: Tuzuk-i-Baburi (Baburnama) in Turkish.
Humayun (1530-1540, 1555-1556):
Struggles: Fought against Bahadur Shah of Gujarat and Sher Shah Suri.
Battle of Chausa (1539): Defeated by Sher Shah; narrowly escaped.
Battle of Kannauj/Bilgram (1540): Decisively defeated; went into exile in Persia for 15 years.
Regained Delhi in 1555 but died in 1556 after falling from the stairs of his library (Din Panah).
Sher Shah Suri (1540-1545) - The Great Administrator:
Administration:
- Land Revenue (Ryotwari): Measured all cultivable land using a 32-inch long 'Sikandari Gaz'. Introduced Patta (title deed) and Qabuliyat (deed of agreement). Revenue rate was 1/3rd of the produce.
- Built the Grand Trunk Road from Sonargaon (Bangladesh) to Peshawar.
- Introduced a standard Silver Rupiya.
- Reformed the postal system with a network of sarais (inns).
- Justice: Principle of "equity and justice."
The Great Mughals: Consolidation and Zenith
Akbar (1556-1605):
Bairam Khan's Regency (1556-1560):
- Second Battle of Panipat (1556): Defeated Hemu, the Wazir of Adil Shah Suri.Religious Policy:
- 1562: Abolished pilgrimage tax.
- 1564: Abolished Jaziya.
- 1575: Built Ibadat Khana (Hall of Prayer) at Fatehpur Sikri for religious discussions.
- 1579: Issued the Mahzar (Infallibility Decree), making him the final arbiter in religious matters.
- 1582: Promulgated Din-i-Ilahi (Divine Monotheism).Administration:
- Mansabdari System: A dual rank of Zat (personal status & salary) and Sawar (cavalrymen to be maintained).
- Land Revenue System (Todar Mal's Bandobast): Classification of land into Polaj, Parauti, Chachar, Banjar. The Dahsala System (revenue fixed on the average yield of the last 10 years).Cultural: Nine Jewels (Navratnas) including Birbal, Tansen, Raja Todar Mal, Abul Fazl.
Jahangir (1605-1627):
Rebellion by his son, Khusrau, was suppressed. Guru Arjan Dev was executed for blessing Khusrau.
Married Mehr-un-Nisa in 1611, who was given the title Nur Jahan (Light of the World). She, along with her father Itimad-ud-daula and brother Asaf Khan, wielded immense power. The period is called the Nur Jahan Junta.
Captain William Hawkins (1608-1611) and Sir Thomas Roe (1615-1619) visited his court. Roe got a Farman for trade.
Wrote his memoirs, Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri.
Shah Jahan (1628-1658):
War of Succession (1657-58): Among his four sons: Dara Shikoh (crown prince), Shuja, Aurangzeb, Murad. Aurangzeb emerged victorious, executed his brothers, and imprisoned Shah Jahan in Agra Fort.
Architecture: Peak of Mughal Architecture.
- Taj Mahal (Agra) - built in memory of Mumtaz Mahal.
- Red Fort and Jama Masjid (Delhi).
- Shalimar Bagh (Lahore, Kashmir).
- Moti Masjid (Agra Fort).
Aurangzeb (1658-1707):
Policies:
- Reimposed Jaziya (1679).
- Destroyed many temples (e.g., Kashi Vishwanath, Kesava Deo).
- Forbade Sati, music in court, and the Jharokha Darshan.
- Appointed Muhtasibs (moral police) to enforce Islamic law.Major Rebellions:
- Jats (1669, 1685): Gokula, Rajaram.
- Satnamis (1672): A peasant sect.
- Sikhs (1675): Executed Guru Tegh Bahadur. Sikhs under Guru Gobind Singh organized the Khalsa in 1699.
- Rajputs (1679-81): War with Mewar (Rana Raj Singh) and Marwar.
- Marathas (1680-1707): A lifelong struggle against Shivaji and his successors.Annexation of Golconda (1687) and Bijapur (1686). Empire at its greatest extent but financially drained.
📌 Part 3: Major Regional Kingdoms & Powers
A. The Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646)
Founders: Harihara and Bukka (reconverted from Islam to Hinduism by saint Vidyaranya).
Dynasties: Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, Aravidu.
Krishnadeva Raya (1509-1529):
- Golden Age. Defeated the Sultan of Bijapur.
- Wrote Amuktamalyada in Telugu. His court had the Ashtadiggajas (eight luminaries).
- Travelers: Domingo Paes (Portuguese) praised his reign.Battle of Talikota/Rakshasa-Tangadi (1565): Combined forces of Deccan Sultanates (Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golconda, Bidar) defeated Rama Raya. Empire went into decline.
B. The Maratha Empire (1674-1818)
Shivaji (1627-1680):
- Coronation: In 1674 at Raigadh, performed by Gagabhatta; assumed the title Chhatrapati.
- Administration (Ashtapradhan):
- Peshwa (Prime Minister), Amatya (Finance), Mantri (Chronicler), Sumant (Foreign Minister).
- Sachiv (Superintendent), Senapati (Commander-in-Chief), Nyayadhish (Chief Justice), Panditrao (High Priest).
- Revenue System: Based on the Kathi of Malik Ambar. Abolished Jagirdari.The Peshwas:
- Balaji Vishwanath (1713-1720): Helped the Syed Brothers in the Mughal court; got the right to collect Chauth and Sardeshmukhi from the Deccan.
- Baji Rao I (1720-1740): "The Great." Said, "Strike at the trunk of the withering tree (Mughal) and the branches will fall of themselves." Expanded northwards.
- Balaji Baji Rao (1740-1761): The defeat in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761) against Ahmad Shah Abdali halted Maratha expansion.
📌 Part 4: Cultural Synthesis & Religious Movements
The Bhakti Movement
Saguna (with attributes): Worshipped Vishnu/Rama/Krishna. e.g., Tulsidas (Ramcharitmanas), Surdas, Mirabai, Chaitanya.
Nirguna (without attributes): Rejected rituals. e.g., Kabir (disciple of Ramananda), Guru Nanak (founder of Sikhism, Guru Granth Sahib), Dadu Dayal.
The Sufi Movement
Silsilas (Orders):
- Chishti: Sama (music), poverty, devotion. Moinuddin Chishti (Ajmer), Nizamuddin Auliya (Delhi), Baba Farid.
- Suhrawardi: Accepted royal patronage. Bahauddin Zakariya (Multan).
- Naqshbandi: Later, orthodox. Ahmad Sirhindi (Mujaddid Alif Sani) opposed Din-i-Ilahi and syncretism.
📊 Advanced Quick Revision Table
| Concept/Term | Meaning/Relevance | Associated Ruler/Dynasty |
|---|---|---|
| Iqta System | Revenue assignment to nobles in lieu of salary. | Delhi Sultanate (Iltutmish) |
| Diwan-i-Kohi | Department of Agriculture. | Muhammad bin Tughlaq |
| Amir-i-Behr | Incharge of Naval operations. | Firoz Shah Tughlaq |
| Patta & Qabuliyat | Title deed and deed of agreement for land. | Sher Shah Suri |
| Zabt & Dahsala | Land revenue based on measurement & 10-yr avg. | Akbar (Todar Mal) |
| Jharokha Darshan | Public appearance by the emperor at a balcony. | Akbar (discontinued by Aurangzeb) |
| Madad-i-Maash | Tax-free land grants to scholars and religious men. | Mughals |
| Watan Jagir | Hereditary jagir of Rajputs. | Mughals |
This enhanced guide provides the depth required to tackle advanced and cross-linked questions in your exams. Focus on understanding the administrative systems, the causes and consequences of major policies, and the interplay between different kingdoms and rulers. Good luck
👉 Medieval Indian History
Post a Comment