Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Medieval History YCT RRB

 

1. Invasion of Arabs and Turks (Mahmood of Ghazni, Muhammad of Ghori)

  • Chronological Order of Rulers:

    • Mahmud Ghazni (998–1030 AD)

    • Muhammad Ghori (1173–1206 AD)

    • Genghis Khan (1206-1227 AD)

    • Taimur (1370-1405 AD)

  • Al-Biruni:

    • Persian scholar, polymath (Physics, Math, Astronomy). Original Name: Abu Rayhan Muhammad Ibn Ahmed Al-Biruni.

    • Born 973 AD in Khwarezm (modern Uzbekistan).

    • Accompanied Mahmud Ghaznavi to Afghanistan and India (came to India 1017 AD).

    • Taken as war prisoner by Ghaznavi in 1027 AD.

    • Authored 'Kitab-ul-Hind' (also known as 'Tahqiq-i-Hind' or 'Tareekh-E-Hind') in Arabic.

    • 'Kitab-ul-Hind': A comprehensive treatise on 11th-century India, covering sciences, religion, philosophy, festivals, astronomy, customs, social life, weights/measures, sculpture, law etc. (80 chapters).

    • Other scholars in Ghaznavi's court: Utbi, Firdausi.

  • Battles of Tarain (Between Muhammad Ghori & Prithviraj Chauhan):

    • First Battle (1191): Prithviraj Chauhan defeated Muhammad Ghori.

    • Second Battle (1192): Muhammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan.

      • Result: Ghori captured Prithviraj's kingdom (Delhi & Ajmer). Prithviraj was taken prisoner and executed.

2. Delhi Sultanate (1206 AD - 1526 AD)

  • General:

    • Period: 1206 AD to 1526 AD.

    • Sequence of Dynasties: Slave (1206-90) -> Khalji (1290-1320) -> Tughlaq (1320-1414) -> Sayyid (1414-51) -> Lodi (1451-1526).

    • First 4 dynasties were Turkic; Lodi dynasty was Afghan.

    • Rulers generally used the title 'Sultan' (except Mughals later). Mahmud of Ghazni was the first ruler to hold this title.

  • Iqtadari System:

    • Introduced by Iltutmish.

    • Land distribution and administrative system.

    • Empire divided into 'Iqtas', assigned to nobles/officers (Iqtadars) in lieu of salary.

    • Iqtas were transferable, making the system bureaucratic, not hereditary.

    • Different from Mughal Mansabdari system.

  • Jizya Tax: Poll tax on non-Muslim subjects. Initiated by Qutb-ud-din Aibak. Abolished by Akbar (1579). Re-imposed by Aurangzeb (1679).

i. Slave Dynasty (Mamluk Dynasty) (1206-1290 AD)

  • First Muslim dynasty to rule India; ruled for approx. 84 years.

  • Qutub-ud-din Aibak (Ruled 1206-1210 AD):

    • Founder of the Slave Dynasty.

    • Originally a slave and general of Muhammad Ghori.

    • Declared himself Sultan of Delhi in 1206 AD after Ghori's death.

    • Title: 'Lakhbaksh' (Giver of Lakhs) due to generosity.

    • Started construction of Qutub Minar in Delhi (c. 1198/1199).

    • Built Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque (Delhi - first mosque in Delhi) and Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra (Ajmer).

    • Died in 1210 AD while playing Chaugan (Polo).

    • Succeeded by Aram Shah, then Iltutmish.

  • Iltutmish (Ruled 1211-1236 AD):

    • Father of Razia Sultana.

    • Former slave of Aibak.

    • Completed the construction of Qutub Minar (added 3 storeys).

    • Introduced the Iqtadari system.

  • Razia Sultana (Ruled 1236-1240 AD):

    • Daughter of Iltutmish.

    • First and only Muslim female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.

    • Nominated as heir by Iltutmish.

    • Close confidant: Jamal-ud-Din Yaqut (given titles Amir-al-Khayal, Amir al-Umara).

    • Imprisoned in Qila Mubarak, Bhatinda.

  • Ghiyasuddin Balban (Ruled 1266-1287 AD):

    • 9th ruler of the Slave Dynasty.

    • Introduced Persian festival of 'Nauroz'.

    • Introduced court customs: Sijda (prostration) and Paibos (kissing the monarch's feet).

    • Served as Amir-i-Shikar under Razia Sultana.

  • Bakhtiyar Khalji: Military general of Qutub-ud-din Aibak. Defeated Lakshman Sen of Bengal (c. 1203 AD).

ii. Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320 AD)

  • Jalal-ud-din Firoz Khalji (Ruled 1290-1296 AD):

    • Founder of the Khalji Dynasty.

    • Overthrew the Slave dynasty.

    • Killed and succeeded by his nephew/son-in-law Alauddin Khalji.

  • Alauddin Khalji (Ruled 1296-1316 AD):

    • First Sultan to attack South India.

    • Successfully resisted Mongol invasions multiple times.

    • Established a 'Price Control System'.

    • Built Siri Fort (Delhi) for defense against Mongols (c. 1303).

    • Built Alai Darwaza (gateway to Qutub Minar complex).

    • Started construction of Alai Minar (intended to be double the height of Qutub Minar), but left unfinished.

    • Established Sera-i-Adl market in Delhi for goods at fixed prices.

    • Imposed high taxes: Kharaj (50% land revenue), Ghari (house tax), Charai (pasture tax).

iii. Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414 AD)

  • Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq (Ruled 1320-1325 AD): Founder of the dynasty. Ordered invasion that ended Kakatiya dynasty (1323).

  • Muhammad bin Tughlaq (Jauna Khan/Ulugh Khan) (Ruled 1325-1351 AD):

    • Known for his ambitious projects and scholarship (logic, philosophy, math, astronomy, medicine).

    • Shifted capital from Delhi to Devagiri (renamed Daulatabad) and back.

    • Introduced token currency (copper/brass coins) in 1330 AD.

    • Delhi Sultanate reached its largest territorial extent under him.

    • Ibn Battuta, Moroccan traveller, visited India during his reign and wrote 'Rihla'.

    • Built Begumpuri Mosque (main mosque of his new capital Jahanpanah, Delhi).

    • Associated with the Tomb of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya (Delhi).

  • Firoz Shah Tughlaq (Ruled 1351-1388 AD):

    • Cousin of Muhammad bin Tughlaq.

    • Known for public works and adhering to Shariat for taxation (Kharaj, Zakat, Jizya, Haq-e-Sharb).

    • Founded cities: Jaunpur, Firozpur, Firozabad, Hissar, Fatehabad.

    • Repaired Qutub Minar and added the fifth storey.

    • Authored 'Futuhat-e-Firozshahi'.

iv. Lodi Dynasty (1451-1526 AD)

  • Afghan dynasty; the last dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.

  • Bahlol Lodi (Ruled 1451-1489 AD): Founder of the dynasty.

  • Sikandar Lodi (Ruled 1489-1517 AD):

    • Son of Bahlol Lodi.

    • Founded the city of Agra in 1504 AD and moved the capital there.

  • Ibrahim Lodi (Ruled 1517-1526 AD):

    • Son of Sikandar Lodi.

    • Defeated and killed by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat (1526), ending the Delhi Sultanate.

3. Art and Architecture in Sultanate Period

  • Qutub Minar (Delhi): Started by Aibak, completed by Iltutmish, repaired/extended by Firoz Shah Tughlaq. Red sandstone, 73m high, UNESCO site.

  • Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque (Delhi): Built by Aibak. First mosque in Delhi.

  • Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra (Ajmer): Built by Aibak. Originally a Sanskrit college.

  • Alai Darwaza (Delhi): Gateway built by Alauddin Khalji.

  • Siri Fort (Delhi): Built by Alauddin Khalji.

  • Tomb of Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya (Delhi): Associated with Muhammad bin Tughlaq.

  • Tomb of Sikandar Lodi (Delhi): Built by Ibrahim Lodi.

  • Begumpuri Mosque (Delhi): Built by Muhammad bin Tughlaq.

  • Alai Minar (Delhi): Unfinished tower by Alauddin Khalji.

  • Indo-Islamic Style: Evolved during this period, visible in monuments like Qutub Minar, Alai Darwaza.

4. Vijayanagar Empire (c. 1336-1646) & Bahmani Kingdom (c. 1347-1527)

  • Vijayanagara Empire:

    • Founded 1336 AD by Harihar I and Bukka I (Sangama dynasty).

    • Located in Deccan Plateau, South India. Capital: Hampi (Karnataka, UNESCO site).

    • Architecture: Primarily Dravidian style (e.g., Vitthal Temple at Hampi).

    • Dynasties: Sangama -> Saluva -> Tuluva -> Aravidu.

    • Rulers:

      • Harihar I (First King)

      • Bukka I (Expanded empire)

      • Deva Raya I (Nicolo Conti visited during his reign, c. 1420 AD)

      • Deva Raya II (Vitthal Temple built during his reign)

      • Vira Narasimha Raya (First Tuluva ruler, 1505-1509)

      • Krishnadeva Raya (Tuluva ruler, 1509-1529): Greatest ruler. Patronized 'Ashtadiggaj' (8 poets). Authored 'Amuktamalyada' (Telugu work on statecraft). Domingo Paes visited.

    • Battle of Talikota (1565): Led to the decline and destruction of the empire.

  • Bahmani Kingdom:

    • Founded 1347 AD by Alauddin Bahman Shah (Hasan Gangu).

    • Capital: Gulbarga.

    • Hasan Gangu was first Muslim ruler (in this context) not to levy Jizya.

  • Chand Bibi: Regent of Bijapur and Ahmednagar, fought against Akbar.

  • Golkonda Fort (Hyderabad): Associated with Qutub Shahi dynasty (later capital). Originally Kakatiya. Famous for diamonds.

5. Bhakti and Sufi Movements

  • Bhakti Saints/Concepts:

    • Annamacharya (Annamayya): 15th C. saint-musician (Andhra Pradesh). Composed 'Sankirtanas'.

    • Shankaracharya: Propounded Advaita (Non-dualism).

    • Ramanujacharya: Propounded Vishishtadvaita (Qualified non-dualism).

    • Madhavacharya: Propounded Dvaita (Dualism).

    • Nimbarka: Propounded Dvaitadvaita (Dualistic non-dualism). Founded Hamsa/Sanakadi Sampradaya (worships Radha-Krishna).

    • Vallabhacharya: Propounded Shuddhadvaita (Pure non-dualism).

    • Kabir Das: 15th C. poet (born Varanasi, died Maghar). Works compiled in 'Bijak'.

    • Mira Bai: 16th C. Rajput princess (Merta, Rajasthan), devotee of Krishna.

    • Tulsidas: Composed 'Ramcharitmanas' (Awadhi). Born Rajapur (UP).

    • Jayadeva: 12th C. Sanskrit poet. Composed 'Geet Govindam'. Court poet of Lakshmana Sena (Bengal).

  • Sufi Saints/Concepts:

    • Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti: 13th C. saint (Chishti order). Dargah at Ajmer Sharif. His concept of Sulah-e-Kul influenced Akbar.

    • Hazrat Mian Mir: Sufi saint (Qadiri order, Lahore). Laid foundation stone of Golden Temple. Respected by Sikhs.

    • Sheikh Salim Chishti: Sufi saint (Chishti order). Tomb in Fatehpur Sikri. Akbar built the city in his honour.

    • Amir Khusrow: (See Literature)

6. Mughal Empire (1526-1857)

  • General:

    • Founded by Babur in 1526 after First Battle of Panipat.

    • Rulers did not use the title 'Sultan'.

    • Chronology: Babur -> Humayun -> Akbar -> Jahangir -> Shah Jahan -> Aurangzeb -> Later Mughals (incl. Bahadur Shah II).

    • Mansabdari System: Military/administrative ranking system introduced by Akbar.

i. Babur (Ruled 1526-1530)

  • Founder. Descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan.

  • Real name: Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur.

  • Battles: First Battle of Panipat (1526), Khanwa (1527 - assumed 'Ghazi' title), Ghagra (1529).

  • Used Tulugama tactics and artillery effectively.

  • Wrote 'Baburnama' (Tuzuk-e-Baburi) in Chaghatai Turkish.

  • Died 1530 (Agra), buried in Kabul.

ii. Humayun (Ruled 1530-1540 & 1555-1556)

  • Son of Babur.

  • Defeated by Sher Shah Suri (Chausa 1539, Kannauj 1540) and exiled.

  • Regained throne in 1555.

  • 'Humayunama' written by his sister Gulbadan Begum.

  • Tomb in Delhi (built by wife Hamida Banu Begum, first garden-tomb).

(Interregnum: Sur Dynasty (1540-1555))

  • Sher Shah Suri (Farid Khan) (Ruled 1540-1545):

    • Founded Sur dynasty.

    • Built Shahi Road (later GT Road), numerous sarais.

    • Tomb in Sasaram (Bihar).

    • Introduced silver 'Rupiya' coin.

iii. Akbar (Ruled 1556-1605)

  • Son of Humayun and Hamida Banu Begum. Born in Amarkot (1542).

  • Ascended throne at 13. Regent: Bairam Khan.

  • Key Battles: Second Battle of Panipat (1556 - defeated Hemu), Battle of Haldighati (1576 - against Maharana Pratap).

  • Religious Policy:

    • Din-i-Ilahi (1582) - syncretic faith.

    • Ibadat Khana (1575) at Fatehpur Sikri for discussions.

    • Abolished Jizya (1579).

    • Concept of Sulah-e-Kul (Universal Peace).

  • Administration: Todarmal (Finance Minister - Zabt/Dahshala revenue system), Mansabdari system.

  • Navratnas (Nine Gems): Incl. Abul Fazl, Faizi, Tansen, Birbal, Todarmal, Man Singh I, Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan.

  • Architecture: Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri (capital 1571-85), Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal.

  • Died 1605, buried at Sikandra (Agra).

iv. Jahangir (Salim) (Ruled 1605-1627)

  • Son of Akbar.

  • Gave permission to EIC (Sir Thomas Roe) for factory at Surat.

  • Built Shalimar Garden (Kashmir).

  • Patronized painting.

v. Shah Jahan (Khurram) (Ruled 1628-1658)

  • Son of Jahangir. Golden age of Mughal architecture.

  • Built: Taj Mahal (Agra, for Mumtaz Mahal), Red Fort (Delhi), Jama Masjid (Delhi), Moti Masjid (Agra Fort), Shalimar Gardens (Lahore).

  • Built Peacock Throne.

  • Capital: Shahjahanabad (Delhi).

  • Imprisoned by son Aurangzeb in Agra Fort (Musamman Burj).

vi. Aurangzeb (Alamgir) (Ruled 1658-1707)

  • Son of Shah Jahan. Known as 'Alamgir' and 'Zinda Pir'.

  • Strict Sunni Muslim; re-imposed Jizya (1679).

  • Sent Jai Singh against Shivaji (Treaty of Purandar, 1665).

  • Built Bibi Ka Maqbara (Aurangabad) for wife Dilras Banu Begum (Rabia-ud-Daurani).

  • Built Moti Masjid (Delhi Fort).

  • Built Badshahi Masjid (Lahore).

  • Completed Mecca Masjid (Hyderabad).

  • Mughal empire reached largest extent but started declining. Died 1707.

vii. Rulers of Later Mughal Period (1707-1857)

  • Decline of Mughal Empire, rise of regional powers (Awadh, Bengal, Hyderabad - Nizam-ul-Mulk).

  • Nadir Shah's Invasion (1739): Defeated Mughals at Karnal, sacked Delhi, took Peacock Throne.

  • Ahmad Shah Abdali's Invasions: Defeated Marathas at Third Battle of Panipat (1761).

  • Bahadur Shah II (Zafar): Last Mughal Emperor. Exiled to Rangoon by British after 1857 revolt. Died 1862.

7. Literature during Mughal Period

  • Persian: Official language.

  • Abul Fazl: Wrote 'Akbarnama' (including Ain-i-Akbari). Navratna of Akbar.

  • Babur: Wrote 'Baburnama' (Tuzuk-e-Baburi) in Chaghatai Turkish.

  • Gulbadan Begum: Wrote 'Humayunama'.

  • Futuhat-e-Firozshahi: Autobiography of Firoz Shah Tughlaq.

  • Malik Muhammad Jayasi: Wrote 'Padmavat' (1540) in Awadhi.

  • Tulsidas: Wrote 'Ramcharitmanas' in Awadhi.

  • Amir Khusrow (1253-1325): Poet, musician. Associated with court of several Delhi Sultans. Called 'Tuti-e-Hind'. Credited with inventing Tabla/Sitar.

  • Rihla: Travelogue by Ibn Battuta (Arabic).

  • Shahnama: By Firdausi (Persian Epic, pre-Mughal).

  • Translations: Many Sanskrit works translated into Persian.

8. Art & Architecture in Mughal & Later Mughal Period

  • Mughal Style: Blend of Persian, Turkish, and Indian styles. Known for symmetry, domes, arches, minarets, intricate decorations (Pietra Dura).

  • Key Monuments & Builders:

    • Humayun's Tomb (Delhi): Hamida Banu Begum (precursor to Taj Mahal).

    • Agra Fort: Akbar (red sandstone base), Shah Jahan (marble additions like Moti Masjid, Musamman Burj). UNESCO site.

    • Fatehpur Sikri: Akbar (Red sandstone city complex). Includes Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Tomb of Salim Chishti, Ibadat Khana. UNESCO site.

    • Buland Darwaza: Akbar (Highest gateway).

    • Taj Mahal (Agra): Shah Jahan (White marble mausoleum). Architect: Ustad Ahmad Lahori. UNESCO site.

    • Red Fort (Delhi): Shah Jahan (Red sandstone complex). UNESCO site.

    • Jama Masjid (Delhi): Shah Jahan (Largest mosque in India).

    • Shalimar Gardens (Lahore): Shah Jahan. (Kashmir): Jahangir.

    • Akbar's Tomb (Sikandra): Jahangir.

    • Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb (Agra): Nur Jahan (Jahangir's wife) for her father. Extensive use of Pietra Dura.

    • Bibi Ka Maqbara (Aurangabad): Aurangzeb/Prince Azam Shah ('Poor Man's Taj').

    • Badshahi Masjid (Lahore): Aurangzeb.

  • Later Period:

    • Jantar Mantar (Delhi, Jaipur, etc.): Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II (Astronomical observatories).

    • Hawa Mahal (Jaipur): Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh (Rajput architecture with Mughal influence).

    • Bara Imambara (Lucknow): Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula (Awadh architecture).

    • Mysore Palace: Wadiyar Dynasty (Indo-Saracenic style).

9. Sikhism

  • Gurus:

    • Guru Nanak Dev (1st Guru, Founder)

    • Guru Angad Dev (2nd Guru, Gurmukhi script)

    • Guru Arjan Dev (5th Guru, Compiled Adi Granth, Built Golden Temple)

    • Guru Gobind Singh (10th Guru, Founded Khalsa Panth)

  • Holy Scripture: Adi Granth / Guru Granth Sahib.

  • Khalsa Panth: Founded 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh.

  • Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib): Amritsar. Most sacred shrine. Foundation stone by Mian Mir. Built by Guru Arjan Dev. Rebuilt by Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Located beside Amrit Sarovar.

  • Panj Takht: Five holy seats of authority.

  • Banda Singh Bahadur: Military leader executed in 1716.

  • Nirankari Movement: 19th C. reform movement founded by Baba Dyal Das.

10. Medieval Miscellaneous

  • Sources: Chronicles (biographies, court poems), Travelogues (e.g., Rihla), Architectural remains.

  • Travellers: Al-Biruni (Uzbekistan), Ibn Battuta (Morocco), Nicolo Conti (Italy), Domingo Paes (Portugal), Ralph Fitch (England), William Hawkins (England), Sir Thomas Roe (England), Peter Mundy (England), Manucci (Italy), Marco Polo (Italy).

  • Regional Kingdoms/Forts:

    • Kakatiya Dynasty (Warangal): Ruled by Rudrama Devi. Ended by Delhi Sultanate. Built Golconda fort initially.

    • Sharqi Dynasty (Jaunpur): Built Atala Mosque.

    • Jaisalmer Fort (Rajasthan): Built by Rao Jaisal.

    • Gol Gumbaz (Bijapur): Tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah.

    • Murud-Janjira Fort (Maharashtra): Sea fort.

    • Qila Mubarak (Bhatinda): Ancient fort.

    • Manora Fort (Tamil Nadu): Built by Serfoji II.

    • Ahilya Fort (Maheshwar): Built by Ahilyabai Holkar.

    • Bekal Fort (Kerala).

  • Key Battles: Tarain I & II, Panipat I, II & III, Khanwa, Ghagra, Chausa, Kannauj, Haldighati, Talikota, Chillianwala, Karnal.

  • Terms: Sharia (Islamic Law), Hadith (Prophet's sayings), Zakat (Islamic charity), Jizya (Tax), Iqtadari (Land assignment), Mansabdari (Ranking system), Nauroz (Persian New Year), Sijda/Paibos (Court etiquette), Tulugama (Military tactic), Rupiya (Coin), Pietra Dura (Inlay work).

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