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SPECIAL SHORT NOTES

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Medieval History - Common GS

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(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

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 Medieval History Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

Index
Chapter-1
TRIPARTITE STRUGGLE AND IMPERIAL CHOLAS ........................................................ 2
Chapter-2
RAJPUT KINGDOMS AND ARAB INVASION ..................................................................... 13
Chapter-3
DELHI SULTANATE I (THE SLAVES AND KHILJI DYNASTY) ..................................... 20
Chapter-4
DELHI SULTANATE II [TUGHLAQS, SAYYIDS AND LODHIS] ..................................... 28
Chapter-5
DELHI SULTANATE ADMINISTRATION, ART AND CULTURE ................................... 34
Chapter-6
BHAKTI AND SUFI MOVEMENT .......................................................................................... 38
Chapter-7
VIJAYANAGAR AND BAHMANI EMPIRE .......................................................................... 51
Chapter-8
MUGHAL EMPIRE I [BABUR, HUMAYUN, SHER SHAH] ............................................... 61
Chapter-9
MUGHAL EMPIRE II
[AKBAR, JAHANGIR, SHAH JAHAN, AURANGAZEB]..................................................... 65
Chapter - 10
MUGHAL ADMINISTRATION, ART AND CULTURE ....................................................... 70
Chapter-11
THE MARATHAS ....................................................................................................................... 74

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Medieval Indian History 1
 Medieval History Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

Chapter-1
TRIPARTITE STRUGGLE AND IMPERIAL
CHOLAS
Northern India: Age of the Three Empires (750–1000)
● After the decline of Harsha’s empire in the 7th century, a number of large states arose in north India,
the Deccan and southIndia.
● Large states arose in north India and the Deccan between AD 750 and 1000.
● The Gurjara−Pratiharas (whodominated the western India and the upper Gangetic valley till
the middle of the 10th century)
● The Palas(who ruled over eastern India till the middle of the 9th century)
● The Rashtrakutas (whodominated the Deccan and also
controlled territories in north and south India
● These three kingdoms were constantly fighting with each other with an aim to set up their control
on the Gangetic region in northern India. This conflict among these three powers is often
described as the ‘Tripartite struggle’.
● Out of these three, the Rashtrakutas emerged as the most powerful and their empire lasted for the
most time.

The Pratihara dynasty The Palas of Bengal The Rashtrakutas

Pratiharas were also known as In the 8th century CE, Gopala ‘Rashtrakuta’ means chief of
Gurjara−Pratiharas, as they laid the foundation of the Pala rashtra (a division or kingdom)
originated from the Gurjaras dynasty. Origin: Kannada {Kannada
who were primarily ‘Pala’ meant “protector” in speaking}
pastoralists and fighters. the ancient language of Prakrit. Feudatory of Chalukyas and
(Pratihara= literally means Pala kingdom included capital was Manyakheta or
door keeper) Bengaland Bihar. Malkhed near Solapur.
Some Important rulers: Pala kings were followers of Some Important Rulers:
Nagabhata I (c. 730–760 CE) Buddhism, especially Dantidurga (c. 733−756 CE)
● He is known for checking the Mahayana and Tantric schools ● Founder of dynasty
invasion of the Arabs and of Buddhism. ● Feudatory of Chalukya king,
offered the most successful Some Important Rulers: KirtivarmanII, who later founded
resistance to the Arabs. Gopala (around c.750 CE) the Rashtrakuta kingdom
● He exercised control over the ● According to the Khalimpur ● He defeated Gurjaras and
areas of Malwa, Rajputana, copper plate Inscription of captured Malwa He annexed the
and Gujarat. Dharmapala, Gopala is the Chalukya Kingdom by defeating
Founder of the Dynasty. Kirtivarman.
● Defeated by Rashtrakutaking [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015] ● He performed ritual Hirnya
Dhruva. Gopala built the famous Garbha [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]
Vatsaraja (c. 780–800 CE) monastery at Odantapuri
● who extended his rule over a Dharmapala (c.770−810 CE) Krishna I (c.756−774 CE)
large part of North India and ● Founded the Vikramshila ● Brought major portions ofpresent
made Kannauj in western monastery in Bihar. day Karnataka and Konkan under
U.P his capital. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008, his control.
● Vatsaraja’s policy of 2016, 2015] ● Gave the final blow to Pallavas.
expansion brought him into ● He also founded the Somapuri ● Magnificent rock-cut
conflict with Dharamapala, monastery nearBihar Kailashnatha Temple atEllora
Pala King of Bengal and Bihar ● Santarakshita founded the Dhruva (c. 780−793 CE)

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Medieval Indian History 2
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and Rashtrakuta kingDhruva philosophical school known as ● He led successful expeditions to

● Thus began what is knownas Yogacara- Svatantrika- Kannauj, defeated
the ‘tripartite struggle’. Madhyamika during his reign Gurjara−Pratiharas (NagabhataII)
Bhoja I / Mihir Bhoja The Palas power was destroyed and Palas of Bengal
(c.836−885 CE) by the Sena dynasty, under (Dharmapala).
● The most successful and Vijayasena, dethroned the Pala ● Rashtrakutas became a Pan-
popular ruler of Pratiharas. Empire in the 12th Indian power during his rule.
[U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010] century.(Laxman Era) Govind III (c.793−814 CE)
● With the aid of feudatories [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005] ● He emerged victorious in the
such as Chedis and Guhilas, The noted Buddhist scholars, tripartite struggle.
he won victories over Palas Santarakshita and Dipankara ● Defeated Pala king
& Rashtrakutas. (called Atisa), were invited to Dharmapala, wrestled Malwa
● He had his capital at Kannauj, Tibet, and they introduced a from Pratihara king Nagabhata II.
which was also called new form of Buddhism there. Amoghavarsha I (c.814−878

om
Mahodaya.[U.P.P.C.S. The proto-Bengali language CE)
(Mains) 2012] developed under Pala rule as ● Popular for cultural
● In The Barah copper plate they laid the basis for the development.
Bengali language. ● Born

l.c
inscription, there is mention in Military camp.
of a military camp i.e., [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]
● Follower of Jainism.
ai
Skandhavara at Mahodaya.
● ‘King Juzr’ title given by ● Jinasena (the writer of Adipuran
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Arab merchant, Sulaiman and Mahapuran) was chief

● Also called ‘King Baura’ by preceptor.
another Arab traveler, Al- ● Also built rashtrakuta capital
07

Masudi. Malkhed or Manyakhed.

Finally in the 11th century CE, ● He wrote the ‘Kavirajamarga’
– the earliest Kannada work on
03

they were wiped off from the

political map by the poetics and the ‘Prasnottara’
Ghaznavids and their rule was ‘Ratna Malika’ in Sanskrit.
ar

succeeded by Chahamanas or ● Because of his religious

Chauhans in Rajputana, temperament and peace-loving
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Chalukyas or Solankis in nature, he is often compared to

Gujarat and the Paramaras or emperor Ashoka and called
to

Pawars in Malwa. “Ashoka of the South”

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Out of these 3, Rashtrakutas

emerged as the most powerful
and their empire lasted for most
ur

time.
ga

Tripartite Struggle
● Conflict among Gurjara Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas and Palas for Supremacy of the North
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]
● Conflict started during the reign of Vatsaraja-Pratihar, he attacked Dharmapala, the Pala king
● During this Conflict Dhruva, the Rashtrakuta king launched an attack onVatsaraja
● Dharmapala (Pala) Defeated by Vatsaraja (Pratihar), Vatsaraja defeated by
Dhruva(Rashtrakuta) and later Dhruva defeated Dharmapala.
● Later Vatsaraja was succeeded byNagabhatta, who defeated Dharmapala (Pala Ruler); this victory
was short-lived by Govinda III’s (Rashtrakutas) attack.
● Bhoja was the most illustrious king ofPratihara restored lost glory, he led an expedition against

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Medieval Indian History 3
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(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

Devpala (Pala)
● Amoghvarsha (Rashtrakuta) came into conflict with palas and got success, Bhoja also took
advantage of weak Pala condition and attacked
● Pala suffered a crushing defeat and Bhoja annexed Western part of the empire
● Bhoja made Kannauj as his capital of Pratihar Empire
● After Devpala the Palas glory came to end later Sena dynasty succeeded Pala in Bengal

General Overview of Life During Three Kingdoms

Rashtrakuta
● Centralised administration
● Position of Ministers by Hereditary
● Provinces called rashtras, which divided into Vishayas or districts
Administration governed by Vishyapatis
● Bhukti- Collection of Villages(50-60) under control of Bhogapatis
● Village headman called Gram Mahattara
● Hindu sects of Vaishnavism and Shaivism flourished during the period
of Rashtrakutas.
● They led Patronage to Jainism as well.
Society
● There were some popular Buddhist settlements at Kanheri, Sholapur,
Dharwar.
● There was a college at Salotgi, situated in modern Bijapur.
Revenue and ● Hereditary revenue officers called Nad Gaundas and Desha Gramuktas
Economy ● Arab trade promoted
● Patronised Sanskrit
● Jain literature flourished during Amoghvarsha
● Trivikrama wrote- ‘Nalachampu’(during Indra III's reign)
● Halayudha composed- ‘Kavirahasya’ during reign of Krishna III
Literature ● Viracharya a great mathematician at Amoghvarsha's court wrote
● Ganitasarsangraha
● Kannada literature- Kavirajamarga first poetic work
● Pampa, Ponna- Kannada poet
● Pampa- famous work was ‘Vikramasenavijaya’
● Kailasa temple at Ellora during Krishna I
[Monolithic architecture- consists of the entrance gateway, an
intermediate shrine for Nandi, Mandapa surrounding the courtyard]
● Temple stands on 25 feet high lofty plinth
● Central face of the plinth has figures of lion and elephants
Art and ● It has 3 tiered ‘Shikhara’ resembling of Mamallapuram Rathas
Architecture ● Sculpture of Goddess Durga is shown.
● Scene of Ramayana – Mountain Kailasa scene depicted on walls.
● Dravidian influence
● Sculptural art at Elephanta [originally called Sripuri] near
Mumbai: (Portuguese named it Elephanta)
o Close similarity in Ellora and Elephanta

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Medieval Indian History 4
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(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

o Might have been carved by the same craftsmen.

o Around the Sanctum (Shrine) there are niches containing images of
shivas in forms- Nataraja, Gangadhara, Ardhanarishvara,
Somaskanda.
Most imposing figure of the temple is ‘Trimurti’ (aka Sadashiva and
Maheshmurti)- represents 3 aspects of Shiva.
Palas
● Monarchical set up
● Pala kings Adopted Titles like- Parameshwara, Paramvattaraka,
Maharajadhiraja.
● Kings appointed Prime Ministers.
● Empire divided in separate Bhuktis
● Pundravardhan Bhukti was located in the region of North Bengal in
ancient times. Its territory was expanded to northern Bihar during the era
of Pala, Chandra and Sena dynasty. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]
● Bhuktis divided into Vishayas and Mandalas
Administration
● Empire divided into bhukti (provinces), and mandala (districts) or
visaya (divisions).
● Governor of the province was called Uparika and head of a district,
Visayapati.
Some Important Offices:
● Maha-sandhi Vigraha- foreign minister
● Duta- Head Ambassador
● Sasthadhikarta- Tax collector
● Mahaksapatalika- Accountant
● Palas were patrons of Mahayana Buddhism.
Society and
● Also patronised shaivism and vaishnavism.
religion
● Land grants were made by the king to Brahmanas and Buddhists.
● Highest Military Officer- Mahasenapati.
● According to contemporary accounts, Rashtrakutas had the best Infantry,
Military Pratiharas had the finest cavalry and Palas had the largest Elephant Force.
● They had navy used for both mercantile and defence purposes.
● Gaud Riti, new style of Sanskrit literature composition
Cultural ● Evolution of Bengali culture
Contribution: ● Proto Bengali during Dharmapala
● Patronised Nalanda university and founded Vikramshila
● Vikramshila and Somapura Monastery built by Dharmapal
● Bengali school of sculpture rise- influenced by Gupta Art.
● Terracotta and blackstone sculpture
● Pala paintings are influenced by Vajrayana Buddhism.
Art and ● Wall paintings have been found at Saradh and Saraisthal in Nalanda
Architecture district.
● Sompura Mahavihara in present-day Bangladesh is a World Heritage site.
● Patronised several Sanskrit scholars.
● Sridhar Bhatta wrote- ‘Nyaya Kundali’

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Medieval Indian History 5
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(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

Literature ● Gaudapada wrote- ‘Agama Shastra’

● Gauda riti, a style of composition developed during Palas.
● Account of Arab Merchant Sulaiman and Tibetian chronicles provides
information about Pala Empire.
Pratihars
● King was at highest position
● Kottapala- Highest officer of Fort
● Tantrapala- Representative of King in Samanta states
● Dutaka- Carry grants and order of king
● Baldhikrat- Chief of army
● Vynaharina- legal expert
Administration ● Entire state is divided into Bhuktis, Mandalas and Vishyas.

om
● The administration of the city looked after by council which arereferred
as- ‘Goshthi’,’Panchakula’, ‘Uttar Sobha’

l.c
● Core army allied with feudatory troops.
● Well known for Cavalry.
ai
Army ● Horses were imported from Central Asia and Arabia.
gm

● According to Al Masudi, the army had four Division

● Caste system was prevalent
● Each caste was divided into different classes.
07

● Women learnt music, dancing, and painting.

Society and
● It was the age of progress in the Brahmanical religion.
03

Religion
● Jainism and Buddhism were declining in this period.
● Carved temples, constructed and open pavilion styles
ar

● Maru- Gurjara architecture developed during the Gurjara Pratihara

m

Art and empire.

Architecture ● Greatest development of Chandela Khajuraho, during Pratihara reign is
to

now a UNESCO world heritage site.

● Patrons of sanskrit
av

Literature ● Great Sanskrit scholar Rajshekhara adorned in the court of Mahendrapala

I (famous work kavyamimansa)
ur
ga

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Medieval Indian History 6
 Medieval History Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

Chapter-2
RAJPUT KINGDOMS AND ARAB INVASION
Important Rajput Dynasties
• Emergence of Rajputs was the outcome of the death of
Harshvardhana and disintegration of the Pratihara
Empire.
• The dominance of Rajputs began from the seventh and
eighth centuries and lasted till the Muslim conquest in
the twelfth century.
• In period of Muslim period, Rajputs were main
defenders of the Hindu Religion and Culture.
• The important kingdoms in north India were:
Kashmir, Gandhara, Sind, Gujarat, Kanauj, Ajmer,
Malwa, Bengal, Assam.
• Most powerful Rajputs were Gahadvalas of Kannauj,
Paramaras of Malwa and Chauhans of Ajmer and
others like Kalchuris, Chandellas in Bundelkhand,
Chalukyas of Gujarat, Tomars of Delhi.
• Theory of Origin of Rajputs:
o The Rajputs were the descendants of Lord Rama or Lord Krishna or the Lord who sprang from
the sacrificial fire called the Agni Devta according to the AgniKula Theory.
o Some considered them as descendents of foreign invaders and the Indian Kshatriyas.

Important Rajput
Some Details
Kingdoms
● Capital: Delhi
● Founder: Vasudeva
● Vigraharaj was an important king, who occupied Delhi.
● Prithvi Raj (III) Chauhan(1168-92) is one of the rulers who
wasthroned at Delhi; he ruled from the twin capitals of Delhi
Chauhan/Chahman of and Ajmer. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016,U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2010]
Delhi-Ajmer ● He fought 2 battles with Muslim invader Mohammad Ghori.
(7th cent–1192) o First Battle of Tarain (1191): Prithvi Raj defeated
Muhammad Ghori
o Second Battle of Tarain (1192): Muhammad Ghoridefeated
Prithvi Raj Chauhan.
Prithviraj Raso: Military conquests of Prithviraj have been
described in the epic poem Prithviraj Raso composed by Chand
Bardai. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

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Medieval Indian History 7
 Medieval History Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

● Capital: Avanti Kannauj

● Founder: Nagbhatta–I [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2003,
U.P.U.D.A. (Pre) 2002]
Pratihara/Parihar of
Kannauj ● The Gurjara-Pratiharas were the earliest of the Rajput rulers. Its
(730–1036) greatest ruler was Mihir Bhoja or Bhoja I(836-
885AD).[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. 2018]
● Tripartite struggle with Palas and Rashtrakuts for Northen
supremacy.
● Capital: Dharanagar
● Paramaras of Malwa rose on ruins of the Pratihara empire of
Kanauj.
● Parmar Bhoja(1010-1055AD) was one of the important rulers
● Bhoja tried to regenerate Hindu society. He also foughtagainst
muslims.
Paramaras of Malwa ● Apart from a great warrior, he was an accomplished scholar.
(790-1150)
● He constructed a Sanskrit college called Bhojshala at hiscapital.
● His famous books were:
o Ayurveda Sangraha
o Yukti Kalpataru
o Samarangana Sutradhara (deals with architecture).
● Later Ala ud din Khilji captured Malwa
● Ruled over Present day Delhi and Haryana
● Founder: Angapala I
● Anangpal II was the founder of Dhillikapuri, which eventually
became Delhi.
Tomars of Delhi ● Anangapala II was the founder of the citadel of Lal Kot in the
Mehrauli area and also built a tank known as the Anang Tal.
● Similarly, the famous Suraj Kund reservoir (near Faridabad,
Haryana) is said to have been commissioned by a Tomara king
named Surajpala.
● Capital: Mahoba
● Founder: Nannuka
● Kalinjar one of famous fort
Chandellas of
Jijakbhukti ● The Lakshmana Temple (c. 930–950 CE), the Vishvanatha
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008] Temple (c. 999-1002 CE), and the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple
(c. 1030 CE) were constructed during the reigns of Chandella rulers
Yashovarman, Dhanga, and Vidyadhara respectively
● After this the Chandellas sank into obscurity and Bundelkhand
passed into the hands of the Muslims.
● Branch of Pala ruler
● Founder: Chandradeva
Gahadavalas ofKannauj ● Major cities: Kashi, Ayodhya, Kannauj
● Last great ruler: Last great ruler of this dynasty was Jaichandra
well known in popular legend as Raja Jaichand (1170-1194) (Battle
of Chandawar 1194AD).

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Medieval Indian History 8
 Medieval History Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

● Founder: Kokala I
● The Kalachuri dynasty consists of two kingdoms, one ruling over
Central India called “Chedi”, and the other Haihaya ruled over
Kalachuris of Tripuri
Southern India (Karnataka).
● Important ruler of this dynasty named Gangeya Deva (1015- 1040)
was contemporary of the Chandela king Ganda.
● It ruled parts of Gujarat and Kathiawar between c.950 and 1300 CE
● Capital: Anhilwara
● Bhima I (c. 1022 – 1064 CE): During his reign, Mahmud of Ghazni
overran Gujarat and plundered Somnath in 1025 CE.
● He built the Sun temple of Modhera.
● His wife Udaymati built the Rani-ki vav (Queen’s step well) in his
Solanki of Gujarats memory, which is on the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

om
● Ruler Kumarapala is said to have rebuilt the temple of Somnath
● Bhimadeva 2 and Muladeva 2 defeated Mohd Ghori in 1178 AD.
● Jain scholar: Hemchandracharya or Hemchandra Suri stayed in

l.c
Siddharaj Jayasimha court [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]
ai
o Book: Siddhemshabdanushasam
● Solankies were dethroned by Waghelas/Vaghelas.
gm

Overview of Rajput Life:

07

Rajput Society
● The basis of Rajput society was the clan. Every clan traced its descent from a common
03

ancestor, real or imaginary.

● Clans generally dominated a compact territory-based on units of 12 or 24 or 48 or 84
ar

villages.
● Attachment to land, family and honour (maan) was a characteristic of the Rajputs.
m

● Each Rajput state was supposed to be ruled over by the rana or rawat in conjunction
to

with his chiefs who were generally his blood brothers.

● The Rajputs treated war as a sport.
av

● Occupation: War was the chief occupation; trade and agriculture also prospered.
● Most of the Rajput rulers of the time were champions of Hinduism, though some of them
ur

also patronised Jainism.

● They gave rich donations and grants of land to Brahmans and temples.
ga

● Rajput rulers stood forth as protectors of privileges of the Brahmans and of the caste
system
● Caste system:
o Disparity: The society suffered also because there was a great disparity in the standard of
living of the people. They believed in caste and creed systems.
o Rich people: The ministers, officials, feudal chiefs belonged to the upper class so they
enjoyed the privileges to accumulate wealth as they were entitled to live in luxury and
splendour.
o Lower castes suffer: The lower castes suffered the animosities of feudal lords who looked
upon them like vultures.
o Ruthless treatment: Most of the workers like weavers, fishermen, barbers, etc. as well as

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Medieval Indian History 9
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(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

tribal people were treated very ruthlessly by their owners.

● Women condition:
o Lived in a handicapped society: Although honour of women was much defined and a
matter of utter dignity to Rajput’s yet they lived in an inauthentic and handicapped
society.
o Education inequality: The Rajput women of the lower class were denied the right to study
the Vedas. However, families of higher class received higher education. The laws for
women were very strict and harsh.
Contribution of Rajput’s In Art and Architecture
● Temple building reaches its climax: Some of the most magnificent temples can be traced back
to this period.
● Nagara style: The style of temple construction which came into prominence was called the
nagara-the main centres of constructions in this style were in north India and the Deccan.
Main characteristic feature:
o Tall curved spiral roof over the garbhagriha or the deity room (deul).
o An anteroom (mandapa) was added to the sanctum sanctorum.
● Prominent temple:
o The Parsvanatha temple, the Visvanatha temple and the Kandarya Mahadeo temple at
Khajuraho illustrate this style in its richest and most finished form.
o In Orissa, the most magnificent examples of temple architecture of the time are the
Lingaraja temple (eleventh century) and the Sun temple of Konark (thirteenth century).
The famous Jaganatha temple at Puri also belongs to this period.
● Sculpture making: The rich and elaborate carvings on the walls of the temples show that the
art of sculpture had attained its height.
● Most of these temples were built by the Chandellas.
● Additional infrastructure: Rajput was also known for building irrigation canals, dams, and
reservoirs which are still considered for their precision and high quality.
● Founded many cities: Foundations of many cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner,
were laid down by the Rajput kings these cities were decorated with beautiful palaces and
forts and are today known as Heritage Cities
● Other: The Victory Tower at the fort of Chittor, the Lake palace at Udaipur, Hawa Mahal and,
Astronomical Observatory by Sawai JaiSingh in 18th century are some astonishing examples
of very complexly built Rajput architecture.
● ‘Kirti Stambha’ of Chittor was constructed during the reign of Rana Kumbha.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011,U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2010,U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008]
Paintings
● Rajput works of art can be ordered into 2 schools- Rajasthani and Pahari schools of painting.
● The subjects of the artworks were enormously affected by the Bhakti religion and for the most
part portray scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata and Radha and Krishna in different
temperaments.
● The system of both the schools is the same and both have made use of brilliant shades to
explain scenes from the lives of the basic individuals.
Literature During Rajputs

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Medieval Indian History 10
 Medieval History Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

● Sanskrit during this period under their patronage.

● Vastupala, the famous minister of the Chalukyan ruler Bhima in Gujarat, was a writer and a
patron of scholars and the builder of the beautiful Jain temple at Mt. Abu.
● Ujjain & Dhara, capitals of Paramara rulers, were famous centres for Sanskrit learning.
● Many works were written in Apabhramsha and Prakrit which represented regional languages.
● The Jain scholars made significant contributions in this direction, the most famous among
them being Hemachandra who wrote both in Sanskrit and Apabhramsha. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre)
2010]
● With revival of Brahmanism, Sanskrit supplanted Apabhramsha and Prakrit among the upper
classes.
● The modern north Indian languages, such as Hindi, Bengali and Marathi began to emerge out
of these popular languages during this period.

Arab and Turkish Invasion in India

1. The Arab Conquest of Sind
● The Islam was born at Mecca in Arabia, its prophet Muhammad, migrated later toMedina
in 622 AD, which was start of Muslim Calender and Muslim era (Hijra).
● The followers of Muhammad set up empire called Caliphate. The Umayyads andAbbasids
were caliphs, expanded their rule by conquests and spread their religion.
● By the end of 8th century, Arabs connected trade from Mediterranean and Indian Ocean
● In c.712 CE, Arabs invaded India from the north-west region (Sindh) underMuhammad
bin Qasim, who was a general of the Umayyad caliphate. [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002]
● Battle of Rewar: This battle was fought between Muhammad-bin-Qasim and Dahir the ruler
of Sind. Qasim captured Sind and Multan, and also organised administration of Sind.
● This military conquest is mentioned in the Chachnama, which is an early 13th century Persian
translation of an old Arabic history of Bin-Qasim.
● Arab conquest of Sind resulted in Spread of Islam in North Western India.
● Jizya, one kind of tax was imposed on non-Muslims.
● Many Arab travellers visited Sind. Indian medicine and astronomy were carried off lands
through the Arab.
● Islam was first introduced in India by Malik Ibn Dinar in 644 AD.
2. Turkish Invasion
● In 8th and 9th century, Turks dominated Caliphs in Baghdad, extended dominion beyondSind
and Multan into India
● Ghazni in Afghanistan was ruled by a Turkish family called Gamini of the Ghaznavid
Dynasty.
● The Kingdom of Ghazni founded by Alptagin, slave of Samanid- amir of Bukhara.
3. Mahmud Ghazni’s Invasion
● Muhmud Ghazni was the first Turkish conqueror of North India.
● In guise of Jihad he attacked India seventeen times between 1000 and 1027 AD.
● In c.1000 CE, he first invaded modern Afghanistan and Pakistan and defeated the HinduShahi
ruler Jayapala in the Battle of Waihind.
● In c.1008 CE, the Second Battle of Waihind between Mahmud of Ghazni andAnandapala
(son of Jayapala) was fought near Peshawar.
● In 1018, Mahmud plundered Mathura and also attacked Kannauj

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Medieval Indian History 11
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● His next important and last campaign in India was against Gujarat when hesacked the famous
templeof Somnath in 1025 AD.
● He returned to Ghazna withenormous wealth after defeating- Jaipala, the ruler of the Hindu
Shahi Dynasty, Fateh Daud ofMultan, Anandpala of Nagarkot, the Chandelas,
the rulers of Mathura Kannauj, and Gwalior.
● He built a wide empire from Punjab to the east of the Caspian Sea on the west and from
Samarkand in the north to Gujarat in South.
● He patronised three important people:
o Al Biruni – The scholar from central Asia, and the composer of the Kitab-ul-Hind
o Firdausi – The Persian poet called the Homer of the East, writer of the
Shahnama[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2013]
o Utbi – The court historian of Mahmud of Ghazni, writer of the Kitab-ud-Yamni

om
The Ghurid Dynasty and Muhammad Ghori
● The actual founder of the Islamic Empire in India was Shahabuddin Muhammad (alsoknown as
Mui’zz ud-din Muhammad bin Sam), popularly called Muhammad Ghori.

l.c
● His kingdom included parts of modern-day Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, India, Pakistan,
ai
Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
● Unlike Mahmud of Ghazni, Muhammad Ghori was very much interested in establishing a
gm

permanent empire in India and not merely looting its wealth

● In c. 1175 CE, he led his first expedition against Multan, which was largely successful.
● He again marched to conquer Gujarat but the Chalukya ruler of Gujarat, Solanki Bhima II,
07

defeated him at the battle of Kayadara.

● He conquered Peshawar c.1179, Sindh in c.1182 CE Punjab and Lahore.
03

● First Battle of Tarain (c.1191 CE): Ghori’s possession of Punjab and his attempt to advance into
Gangetic Doab brought him into direct conflict with Rajput ruler Prithivaraja Chauhan who
ar

defeated Muizzuddin in the First Battle of Tarain.

m

● Second Battle of Tarain (c.1192 CE): This battle is regarded as one of the turning points in Indian
history, as Prithviraj Chauhan was defeated and Ghori emerged successful.[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004]
to

● Battle of Chandwar (c.1194 CE): Ghori defeated Jaichandra (the ruler of Kannauj) ofthe
av

Gahadavalas dynasty.[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]

● Conquest of Bengal and Bihar: One of the commanders of Muhammad of Ghori, Muhammad-
ur

bin-Baktiyar Khilji, destroyed Vikramasila in 1202 and Nalanda Universitiesin 1203A.D.

● Thus, the battles of Tarain and Chandwar laid the foundations of Turkish rule in Northern India.
ga

● Muhammad Ghori returned from India after giving Indian territories to Qutb-ud-din- Aibak.

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Medieval Indian History 12
 Medieval History Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

Chapter-3
DELHI SULTANATE I (THE SLAVES AND KHILJI
DYNASTY)
Foundation of Delhi Sultanate
● The Delhi sultanate was founded by Turkish ‘Mamluk’ slave soldiers employed by the rulersof
Afghanistan.
● Delhi sultanate which existed from 1206 AD to 1526 AD, ruled by five dynasties.
● Mamluks after Persia conquered India in 1100 AD by defeating Rajput kings.
● At last, Mohammad Ghori occupied Delhi by the end of 12th century, after Ghori his empirewas
divided into many states.
● After Ghori his successors:
o In Ghazni – Taj al-din-Yeeduz
o In Sindh – Nasir-ud-din Qabacha
o In India – Qutub-ud-din Aibak

Delhi Sultanate Period

The Slaves Dynasty 1206-1290 AD
The Khilji Dynasty 1290-1320 AD
The Tughlaqs Dynasty 1320-1414 AD
The Sayyid Dynasty 1414-1451 AD
The Lodhis Dynasty 1415-1526 AD

Tit-bits about Delhi sultanate

● First three dynasties belonged to the Turkish race.
● Sayyids were Arabs and they proclaimed their descendants from Prophet Mohammed.
● The Lodhis were Afghans.
● Most Sultans were from the first dynasty
● Least number of Sultans from the Lodi dynasty.
● Thuglaqs ruled for the longest period of time and Khalji ruled for the shortest.
● Thuglaqs under Mohammad Bin Tughlaq had the most extensive territory.
● Sayeeds ruled the least territory.

Slave Dynasty [1206-1290 CE]

● The Slave dynasty was also called the Mameluk dynasty and Ilbari Dynasty
● Three dynasties were established during this period. They were:
o Qutbi dynasty (c.1206–1211 CE ) founded by Qutbuddin Aibak.
o First Ilbari dynasty (c.1211–1266 CE) founded by Iltutmish.
o Second Ilbari dynasty (c.1266–1290 CE) founded by Balban.
● Qutub ud din, Iltumish and Balban were Slaves later became sultan, therefore dynasty isnamed as
slaves dynasty.
● Qutub ud din Aibak was a slave of Muhammad Ghori, he founded Slave Dynasty
● Aibak was the first independent Muslim ruler of Northern India, the founder of DelhiSultanate.

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Medieval Indian History 13
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Ruler Details
● He was slave of Mohmmad Ghori, who made him governor.
● After the death of Ghori, Aibak declared his independence.
● He Belonged to the Turk tribe called ‘Aibak’
● His capital was at Lahore
● He was titled ‘Amir-i-Akhur’(master of royal stable) in Ghori’scourt
● Known as ‘Lakh Baksh’ as he gave a lot of liberal donations.
● Aibak issued coins in gold, silver, bullion and copper. Hediscarded
carving the name of Abbasid caliph on it.
● Famous Conquests:
● He defeated Yaldauz and severed others to disconnect withGhazni.
1. Qutub-ud-
● Aibak reconquered both Badayun and Farukhabad and thusfounded the
din-Aibak
Slave dynasty as well as the Delhi Sultanate.
(1206-1210)
● Construction:
● Built the first mosque in north India – Quwwat-ul-Islam (Delhi)[U.P.P.C.S.
(Pre) 2011]
● Also built: Adhai din ka jhonpra (Ajmer).
● Started construction of Qutub Minar (only first storey) in memory of
famous Sufi saint, Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakthiyar Kaki
● Literature:
● Patronised: Great scholar
● Hasan Nizami – wrote ‘Taj-ul-Maasir’
● Fakh-ul-din – wrote ‘Tarikh-i-Mubarakshahi’
● An incapable ruler
2. Aramshah ● The Turkish chiefs of Delhi invited the governor of Badayun,Iltutmish
(1210 CE) (son-in-law of Qutbuddin Aibak), to come to Delhi.
● Iltutmish disposed of Aram Shah and became the Sultan
● Slave of Qutub ud din Aibak (Slave of a Slave)[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
● He belonged to Ilbari tribe.
● He is known as the real founder of Slave dynasty.
● Aibak gave him the post ‘Amir-i-Shikar’.
● After becoming Sultan, shifted his capital from Lahore to Delhi.
● [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004,U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]
● He was a great statesman, received ‘Mansur’, letter of recognition from
Abbasid Caliph in 1229, hence became the legal sovereign ruler.
● He nominated Razia as his successor, thus Hereditary succession to the
3. Iltumish Sultanate started from Iltumish.
(1210-36) ● Major Conquests:
● He defeated Yaldauz in c.1215 CE in the 3rd Battle of Tarain.
● In c.1217 CE, he drove away Qabacha from Punjab
● In c.1220 CE, Temujin, popularly known as Chengiz Khan, leader of
Mongols, started invading Central Asia and destroyed the Khwarizm
empire. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]
● With diplomatic skills, he prevented Mongol attack and savedIndia from
the wrath of Chengiz Khan. He was contemporary of Chengiz Khan. [U.P.P.C.S.
(Mains) 2007] [U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2010]
Administration:

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Medieval Indian History 14
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(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

● He introduced Iqta/ iqtadari system in India.

● Divided his empire into Iqtas (assignment of land in lieu ofsalary).
● Every Iqtadars had to maintain law and order and collect revenue,they were
transferable (non hereditary)
● Sar-i-Jandar - group of royal bodyguards
● Hassan-i-Qulb - 5000 cavalrymen under the direct command ofsultan
(to solidify his strength)
● Organised turkan-i-chahalgani
Turkan-i-Chahalgani
1. Institution of 40 (or not neccessarily 40) highly placed and
powerful officers whom Iltumish had organised as his
personal supporters
2. A new class of ruling of elite and powerful military leaders

om
Coins:
● Issued Arabic Coinage into India: Tanka (silver), Biranz(bronze) coin

l.c
and Jital(copper) coins.[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2014,U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2001,U.P.
P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]
ai
Construction:
● Father of the tomb building (Sultangarhi in Delhi); completed the
gm

construction of the Qutab Minar- (tallest stone tower in India)at Delhi,

(238 ft.).
● Jama Masjid (Badaun,UP)
07

● Antakaran ka darwaza (Nagaur, Rajasthan)

● Patronised Minhaj-us-siraj who wrote Tabaqqat-i-Nasiri[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre)
03

2020]
● Iltumish nominated his daughter Razia as his successor but his eldest son
ar

was put on throne by nobles

4. Ruknuddin
● Government handled by Shah Turkan
m

Firuz Shah
(c.1236 CE)
● When the governor of Multan revolted, Ruknuddin marched to suppress
that revolt. Using this opportunity, Raziya, with the support of amirs of
to

Delhi, seized the throne of the Delhi Sultanate

● First and only female Muslim ruler of medieval India[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains)
av

2004]
● Discarded female apparel and purdah(veiling)
ur

● It marked the beginning of a struggle for power between the monarchy and
ga

the Turkish chiefs (‘the forty’ or the chahalgani).

● Her attempts to create a counter nobility of non-Turks invited the wrath of
the Turkish amirs.
5. Razia Sultan ● She captured Ranthambore fort.
(1236-40)
● Razia appointed Yakut as ‘Amir-i-Akhur’ and Malik hasan as chief army
[U.P.P.S.C.
(GIC) 2010] officer, this decision incensed nobels
● Soon nobel of Lahore revolted, but Razia defeated him
● Serious rebellion broke out in Sirhind (Bhatinda) under Altuniya
(governor).
● After Razia went to suppress it, meanwhile Turkish nobles enthroned
Bhram Shah.
● Turkish orthodox nobles and ulemas led by Ichtiyar Aeitgin defeated her at
the battle of Kaithal(in Haryana).

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Medieval Indian History 15
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(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

● Next few years there ensued a struggle for supremacy between Sultans and
6. Bahram shah
nobles
(1240-42)
● Anarchy Prevailed
● Son of Ruknuddin Firuz Shah
● He was more of a puppet for the chiefs, was considered incompetent
● On the coins of Alauddin Masud Shah (1242-1246 A.D.), the name of the
7. Alauddin
last Caliph of Baghdad appeared for the first time.
Masud Shah
(1242–46)
● The last Caliph of Baghdad was Al-Mustasim. He held this position from
1242-58 A.D.
● The name of Caliph Mustanasir was inscribed on the coins of Iltutmish
(served from 1226 to 1242 A.D.)[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]
● Grandson of Iltutmish who was inexperienced ascended to the throne with
8. Nasiruddin the aid of Ulugh Khan/Balban (member of the Chahalgani)
Mahmud
(1246–65)
● Nasiruddin was interested in philosophy; he was inefficient at ruling.
● Real power during reign lay in the hands of Ghiyas ud din Balban
● Belong to Ilbari tribe Slave of Iltumish
● He is known as Consolidator of Delhi Sultanate
● Due to his success to defend Mangol invasion he was given title ‘Ulugh
Khan’.
● Amir Khusrau (Tuti-i-Hind) ( Parrot of India) adorned his court.[U.P.P.C.S.
(Pre) 2003,U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005,U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]
Administration:
● He organised a strong centralised army, both to deal with internal
disturbances, and to repel the Mongols[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]
● He separated the Diwan-i-unzarat (Finance Department) from the Diwan-i-
Arz (Military Department).
● He also created diwan-i- barid (department of spies)
● Followed the policy of Blood and Iron. Developed an efficient spy system
and kept himself well-informed by appointing spies in every department.
9. Ghiyas-ud- [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]
din Balban ● Administered justice with extreme impartiality.
(1266–1286) ● To justify his succession to the throne he traced his origin from ancient
persian hero Afrasiyab. Excluded non-Turks from administration.
● According to him, the real threat to the sultanate is from nobles called Forty,
so he stressed upon centralization and strengthening Monarchy.
● He was determined to break the power of the Forty (Nobels).
● Called himself Nasir-amir-ul-momin (Caliph’s right-hand man).
[U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2014]
● Religious Policy:
● Barani(historian) in his book Tareeq-i-firozshai tells about Balban’s Theory
of Kingship:
o Theory borrowed from Persia
o According to him, the Sultan was God’s shadow on earth (Zil-i- Ilahi)
and recipient of divine grace (Nibyabat-i-Khudai).
o Introduced rigorous court discipline and new customs such as sijada
(prostration) and paibos (kissing the Sultan’s feet) to prove his
superiority over the nobles.

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Medieval Indian History 16
 Medieval History Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

● Introduced the Persian festival of Nauroz (Iranian New year).

● The Tomb of Ghiyasuddin Balban is located in Mehrauli, New Delhi.
● It was built in 1287 AD in rubble masonry.
● The tomb is a building of historical importance in the development of Indo-
Islamic architecture. [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2004]
● Grandson of Balban, who was raised to the throne by nobles after Balban’s
death.
● However, he was soon replaced by his son, Kaimurs
10. Kaiqubad
● In c.1290 CE, Firoz, the Ariz-i-Mumalik, i.e., the Minister of War who later
(1287–90)
took the title of Jalaluddin Khalji, took a bold step by murdering Kaimurs
and seized the throne.
● Group of Khalji nobles led by him established the Khalji dynasty.

Cause of the Downfall of the Slave Dynasty

● Sultans being Foreigners
● Autocratic Military Rule
● Absence of Law of succession
● Lack of Organised Central Power
● Lack of Public Sympathy and Internal Revolts
● Rise of the Power of Amirs(Amirs exercised their power and acted as kingmakers. They neglected
the will of Iltutmish and made Ruknuddin sit onthe throne in place of Raziya.) He was a weak
successors
● This period also saw the continuous Mongol Invasions
● Slave system was prominent
● Weakness of Frontier Policy

Khilji Dynasty [1290-1320 CE]

● Khiljis served under Ilbari dynasty of Delhi Sultanate
● The founder of the Khalji dynasty was Jalaluddin Khalji (Malik Firuz) originally he wasAriz-i-
Mumalik appointed by Kariqubad
● Malik Chhajju, nephew of Balban, was allowed to remain the governor of Kara.

● Laid the foundation of the Khalji dynasty

● He served as warden of the marches on north west frontier against
mongols.
● He was generous and also the first sultan of the Delhi Sultanate to have
a benevolent attitude towards Hindus
Jalal-ud-dinKhalji ● Tried to win the goodwill of nobility by adopting a policy of tolerance.
(1290–1296 ) ● Jalal-ud-din won many battles and even in old age he marched out
[U.P. R.O. (Pre) 2017] against the Mongol hordes and successfully halted their entry into India
(1292).
● During his reign in c.1294 CE, Devagiri was invaded by Alauddin
Khalji and procured a lot of wealth.
● Later Alauddin murdered his uncle Jalaluddin and ascended the throne.

Ala-Ud-DinKhilji ● He was appointed as Amir-i-Tuzuk (Master of Ceremonies) and Ariz-

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Medieval Indian History 17
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(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

(1296-1316) i-Mumalik (Minister of Law) by Jalauddin Khalji.

● Jalaluddin’s policy of tolerance was reversed by Alauddin Khalji, who
awarded drastic punishments to all those who dared to oppose him.
● He decided to curb the powers of the nobles and the interference of the
ulema in the matters of the state.
● Malik Kafur- was made Malik Naib (military commander).
● Because of his conquests he adorned the title of ‘second Alexander’ in
coins. (UPPCS Pre 2002)
● He was the first sultan who separated religion from politics. He
proclaimed “Kingship knows no kinship”.
● Patronised poets like-Amir Khusrau and Mir Hasan Dehlv.
● Alauddin adopted the title of Sikander-i-Azam and gave Amir
Khusrau the title of Tuti-i-Hind (Parrot of India)
● Barani wrote about Alauddin Khilji in his book Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi.

om
Famous Conquests:
● Gujarat (1297)- plundered Somnath temple
● Ranthambore (1299)- against Rana Hamir Deva; he captured the Fort

l.c
of Ranthambore.[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre.) 2021]
● Chittor (1301)- Against Rana Ratan Singh; Rani Padmavati Jauhar
ai
episode; Khizr Khan made governor of Chittor. [U.P. R.O.(Pre) 2017]
gm

o Alauddin’s Chittoor campaign was described in the book

● Padmavat written by Malik Muhammed Jayasi.
● Devgiri (1307)- Malik Kafur was commander; against Ramachandra
07

Deva
● Defeated Mongols in the battles of Jalandhar (1298), Kili (1299),
03

Amroha (1305) and Ravi (1306).

● Malik Kafur was his slave – general, he led a series of expeditions in
the southern part of India, against the Yadavas (1308), Kakatiyas
ar

(1310), Hoysalas (1311) etc.[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

m

Administrative Reforms:
● According to Barani, author of Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi, Alauddin was
to

convinced that the basic reasons for rebellions were –

o General prosperity of the nobles
av

o Social intercourse among the nobles

o Inter-marriages between noble families
ur

o Inefficient spy-system
o Drinking liquor were the basic reasons for the rebellions of nobels.
ga

● Therefore, He confiscated the properties of the nobles.

● The intelligence system was reorganised and all the secret activities of
the nobles were immediately reported to the Sultan.
● The use of liquor and intoxicants was prohibited.
● Social gatherings and festivities without Sultan’s permission were
forbidden
● He organised strict vigilance through an efficient espionage system
(Barid - Spy)
Military Reforms:
● An innovative Chehra and Dagh System was introduced by him
wherein the Chehra- Huliya (detailed description of each soldier) and
Dagh (branding of horses) was maintained

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Medieval Indian History 18
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(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

● He introduced permanent Standing army

● He started salaries in cash and abolished alarge number of small iqtas.
Ariz-i-Mumalik was incharge of appointment of soldiers.
● Established special forces for boundary protection [U.P.R.O./A.R.O.
(Pre.) 2021]
Market Control:
● He devised market control policy [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005]
● Fixed cost of all commodities. For this purpose, he set up 3 markets –
one for food grains, second for cloths and expensive items and third for
horses, slaves etc.[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]
● He also received daily reports of markets from Barids (intelligence
officers) and munhiyans (secret spies).
● No hoarding was allowed.
● Harsh punishments if regulations are violated.
● Established market control department- ‘Diwan-i-Riyasat’ under
Nayab-i-Riyasat [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008]
● Chief officer was appointed for each market, he was called- Sahana-i-
Mandi
● It was a successful policy [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]
● Reasons for Market Reforms:
o To enjoy the support of citizens
o To sustain a large army on low salaries.
● Economic reforms:
● He introduced Masahat System.
● He insisted that land revenue would be assessed on basis of land
survey and measurement
● Biswa and bigha was the standard unit of measurement.
● First ruler to fix land revenue in cash
● Khalisa land- Revenue from where directly came to the royal treasury.
● State demand was 50% of he produce House tax (Grahi) and pasture
tax (Chari) were imposed, but kismat-i-khoti and haqq-i-khoti
(headman’s cess) were abolished. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]
● He abolished the privileged positions of hereditary revenue officers like
khuts, chaudharies etc.
● All goods for sale in open market: Sarai-Adl
● Post of special officer called ‘Mustakharaj’ was created for revenue
creation
● His construction:
● Alai Darwaja beside Jmat-khan Masjid. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2006]
● Siri Fort- 2nd city of Delhi
● Hazar Sutun- Palace of 100 pillars
● Tank called Hauz-i-khas
● Jamait Khana Mosque,
● Alai Minar
Note: Ala-ud-din nominated his eldest son Khizr Khan, as his successor.
However, Ala-ud-din’s confidant at that time was Malik Kafur. So Malik
Kafur himself assumed authority of the government. But Kafur’srule lasted
only 35 days as he was assassinated by hostile nobles. After Malik kafur
Alauddin’s son’s death, Qutbuddin Mubarak came to power.

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Medieval Indian History 19
 Medieval History Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

● Declared himself Caliph and took title of Al Wasiq Billah[U.P.R.O. (Pre)

Qutbuddin 2016]
Mubarak Shah ● Cancelled all harsh regulations of his father.
(1316–1320) ● Although he was able to crush many revolts during his reign, he was
not able to run the administration smoothly.
Nasiruddin ● Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq in c.1320 CE defeated him and became sultan.
Khusrau Shah
(1320 )

Cause of Decline of Khalji Dynasty

Unpopularity of Khalji Rulers + Despotism of Alauddin+ Influence of Mongol Invasions(weakened
the empire and endangered the safety of the country, river Ravi was the boundary between their
regime)[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014] + Weak and Disabled Successors + Lack of Law of succession+ Lack
of Military Power + Decline of Slaves(slaves of the latter period were flatterers and treacherous. Malik
Kafur poisoned his master Alauddin Khalji. Khusrau Khan murdered Sultan) + Opposition of Hindus
+ Opposition of Stern Muslim Mullas and Ulema [U.P.P.S.C. (R.I.) 2014]

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Medieval Indian History 20
 Medieval History Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

Chapter-4
DELHI SULTANATE II [TUGHLAQS, SAYYIDS AND
LODHIS]
Tughlaq Dynasty [1320-1414]

Rulers Details
● According to Ibn Batuta, Tughlaqs belong to ‘Qurana’ Tribe of
Turks
● Founder of the Tughlaq dynasty and the first Sultan to take the
titleof Ghazi/ Slayer of Infidels
● Amir Khusrau's famous work “Tughlaqnama” deals with the
riseof Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

om
Annexation Policy:
● Strengthened defence of North West frontier to check Mangol

l.c
invasion.
● He sent Juna Khan to defeat Kakatiya, ruler of Warangal.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2003]
ai
● Defeated Khusro khan in the Battle of Saraswati and Battle of
gm

Lahrawat.
Military Policy:
● Pay in cash to improve the efficiency of the Army.
07

● He increased the strength of the army.

Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq
● The Judicial and Police Arrangements were made Efficient.
(1320 - 25)
03

Economic Policy:
● The practice of measuring land was abandoned.
● Area under cultivation increased and the condition of farmers
ar

improved.
● He inspected jagirs and cancelled illegal grants
m

● 1st Sultan to start Irrigation.

to

● Gave up land measurement system & started batai

system/crops sharing.
av

● He fixed land revenues to 1/10th of produce

● 1st ruler who dig canals, plant the gardens and built forts to
ur

safeguardpeasants during wartime.[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]

● He organised a postal system for communication
ga

● He replaced men with horses in the courier system.

Construction:
● Built a strong fort called Tughlaqabad- 3rd city of Delhi near
Delhi
● Title: Ulugh Khan
● Ibn Batuta was appointed as chief Quazi, also ambassador to
Mohammad Bin China
● Ibn Batuta wrote ‘Rihala’ on Tughlaq’s life.[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains)
Tughlaq/JaunaKhan
2011]
(1325–51) ● He captured south India but later during his reign South India
became independent and three major states emerged: Vijaynagar
kingdom – Harihara and Bukka (c.1336 CE), Bahmani Kingdom

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Medieval Indian History 21
 Medieval History Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

(Deccan) –Hasan Gangu (c.1347 CE), Sultanate of Madurai.

Major Rebellions:
● Bahaudin Gurchap rebelled in Sagar, Bengal.
● Kishlu Khan, subedar of Kuchh, Sindh and Multan rebelled.
Administration:
● Appointed official on the basis of merit.
Major Reforms:
● Capital transfer (1328-1336) from Delhi to Deogiri(Daulatabad,
Maharashtra) for better administration. It was shifted back to Delhi
because of changes in geopolitics of south. [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2002.
2004]
● Introduction of Token Currency- copper coins. He decided to
introduce a bronze coin which would have the same value as a
silver coin. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2017]
● Proposed Khurasan expedition: To conquer Khurasan, Iraq, and
Transoxiana, he raised an army of 3,70,000 men but later
abandoned the plan.
● Qarachill expedition (Kumaon Hills)
● Taxation in Doab: Increased taxation rate for farmers of Ganga
Yamuna Doab. Many people ran away to forests to avoid heavy
taxes due to which cultivation was neglected and severe food
shortages occurred.
● When Muhammad-Bin-Tughluq was in Daulatabad, a revolt took place
in Gujarat led by Taghi. Sultan dashed to Gujarat to quell the revolt.
Taghi was defeated and fled to Sindh. After restoring peace in Gujarat,
Sultan moved to Sindh to kill Taghi. Sultan fell sick on the way and
died on March 20, 1351, near Thatta. On his death, Badayuni wrote,
‘’the king was freed from his people and they from their
king’.[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008]
Revenue Administration and Agriculture policy:
● Prepared Register and recorded all income and expenditure
● Established department of Agriculture called ‘Diwan-i-Amir-
Kohi’[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004,U.P. R.O. (Pre) 2017][U.P.P.C.S.
(Mains) 2017]
● Post of ‘Wali-ul-Kharaj Was created for revenue creation
● He launched a scheme by which taccavi loans (loans for
cultivation)were given to the farmers to buy seed and to extend
cultivation
● Model farm of 64 sq. miles was created.
Religious Policy:
o Tolerant towards Hindu subjects
o Ulemas were not allowed to interfere
o He broked monopoly of Ulemas and Qazis
o Ulema were collectively known as Dastar-Bandan, because they
dressed with an official turban. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]
o Participated in Holi Celebration. [U. P. P. C. S. (Mains) 2004]
o He was the only Delhi Sultan who had received a comprehensive
literary, religious, medicinal, mathematical and philosophical
education. He was the most educated Sultan of Delhi.[U.P.P.C.S.
(Mains) 2012]

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Medieval Indian History 22
 Medieval History Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

Construction:
● He laid the foundation for construction of Jahan Panah- 4th
city ofDelhi.
● He Built fort of Adilabad
● He appointed Khan-i-Jahan Maqbal, Telugu Brahmin convert, as
Wazir.
● He marched against Nagarkot and during this campaign, Sultan
collected 1300 Sanskrit manuscripts from the Jawalamukhi temple
library and got them translated into Persian by Arizuddin Khan
‘Dalail-i-Firuz Shahi’.
● To appease theologians, Firoz made the following decisions:
o Prohibited practice of Muslim women going out to worship.
o Gave concessions to theologians
o Made jizya a separate tax. Earlier it was part of land revenue.
Only children, women, disabled were exempted. [U.P.P.C.S.
(Pre) 2011]
o Erased wall paintings in his palace
● He led two unsuccessful expeditions to Bengal. Bengal became
free from the control of the Delhi Sultanate.
Major Reforms:
● Established Diwan-i-Bandagan (department of slaves).
● A new department called Diwan-i-Khairat (Department of
Charity) was created to take care of orphans and widows.
● Free hospitals like Dar-ul- Shafa and marriage bureaus for poor
Muslims were also established [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]
Firoz Shah Tughlaq ● Department for public work. [U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2006]
(1351-1388) ● Employment Exchange. [U.P.U.D.A. (Pre) 2010]
Administration:
● Wazir helped the Sultan in his administration and maintained the
prestige of the Sultanate during this period.
● He strictly followed advice of ulemas in running administration
● He extended the principle of heredity to the army & nobility.
● Thus, the iqta system was not only revived, but also it was made
hereditary.
Military Policy:
● Soldiers were given land assignments (jagir system), and even
their recruitment was made hereditary.
Revenue Policy:
● Introduced 2 new coins: Adha (50% Jital) and Bitch (23% Jital)
● He developed Royal factories called ‘Karkhanas’.
● Imposed 4 taxes sanctioned by Islamic kharaj (land tax), khums
(1/5 of looted property during wars), Jizya (religious tax on
Hindus), and Zakat (2½per cent of income of the Muslims which
was spent for the welfare of Muslim subjects and their religion).
● But at the same time, he built a number of canals and also set up a
separate department of public works
● Irrigation tax [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

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Medieval Indian History 23
 Medieval History Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

● He was the first to link rivers and provide irrigation with four
canals.
● He imposed water cess on haq-i-shrib.
● The British called him the ‘father of the irrigation department’
because of the many gardens and canals that he built.
Literature:
● Firoz patronised scholars like Barani (famous historian who
wrote Tarikh-i-Firoz Shah and Futwa-i-Jahandari)
● Firoz also wrote his memoirs. [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
● Khwajja Abdul Malik Islami (who wrote Futuh-Us Salatin).
● He himself wrote the Futuhat-e-firoz shahi and established a
translation department. [U.P.P.C.S.(Mains) 2004]
Construction:

om
● Planned new city of Jaunpur at bank of Gomati, in memory of
Mohammad bin Tughlaq [U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2004, U.P. P.C.S.
(Pre) 2003 U.P.U.D.A. 2002, 2006]
●
l.c
Built Fatehabad, Hisar, Firozabad (Firoz shah Kotla- 5th city of
Delhi)
ai
● Ashokan Pillars from Topara and Meerut were brought to Delhi
gm

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]

● Last Tughlaq ruler
● Faced invasion of Timur [1398],[U.P.R.O.(Mains) 2017] great
07

mangol leader of central Asia[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008,U.P. P.C.S.

(Pre) 2002]
Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud ● Delhi sultanate disintegrated towards the beginning of the 15th
03

shah (1394-1412) centuryand a number of independent states were set up. E.g. Malwa
and Gujarat etc.
ar

● The Tughlaq empire came to an end in 1412.

● Later Daulat Khan was Defacto ruler and was defeated by Khizr
m

Khanwhich laid foundation of Sayyid dynasty

to

Cause of Downfall of Tughluq Dynasty

av

● Vastness of Empire(no good means of transport and communication make it difficult to

administer)+ Autocratic Rulers+ Failure of Utopian Schemes of Muhammad Tughluq[U.P.P.C.S.
ur

(Pre) 2006]+ Firoz Tughluq’s Weaknesses+ Slave System(became burden on state exchequer)+
Jagirdari System(emergence ofpowerful feudal nobles which broke empire)+ Weak Army+ Empty
ga

Treasury (due to visionary schemes of Muhammad-bin-Tughluq)+ Theocratic Nature of State(was

anti-Hindu and anti-non- Sunni)+ Moral Downfall of Muslims

The Sayyid Dynasty [1414-1450]

Khizr Khan ● Before the Sultanate, Timur appointed Khizr Khan as governor Multan
aDelhi
(1414–21)
● Founder of Sayyid Dynasty
● He got Khutba coins issued in his name
Mubarak shah ● Defended revolts of Bhatinda and Khokhan chief Jasrat
(1421-34) ● Constructed planned town ‘Mubarakabad’
● Patronised Yahiya BinAhmed Sirhindi, author of Tarikh-i-Mubar

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Medieval Indian History 24
 Medieval History Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

shahi
● An incapable ruler
MuhammadShah ● Ruler tried to control rebellious regions like Katehar, Badaun, Etawa
(1434-43) Patiali, Gwalior, Kampil, Nagaur, and Mewat, but they failed due to t
conspiracy of the nobles
● Established residence at Badaun
Ala-ud-din Alam
● He was deposed by Bahul Lodhi thus bringing an end to the Sayyid
Shah (1443-51)
dynasty [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2003]
Lodhi Dynasty [1451-1526]
● The Lodi dynasty was an Afghan dynasty [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]
● It was the fifth and final dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, and was founded by Bahlul Khan
Lodhi.[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]

● Lodhis were the last ruling family of Sultanate period and first to be
headed by the Afghans who were ruling over Sirhind when the Sayyids
were in India
● He laid the foundation of the Lodhi dynasty.
● He adopted Afghan nobels appeasement policy
● In c.1476 CE, he defeated the Sultan of Jaunpur and annexed it to the
DelhiSultanate.
● He also brought ruler of Kalpi and Dholpur under Delhi’s suzerainty.
● He annexed the Sharqi dynasty and introduced Bahlol copper coins.
Bahlul Lodhi ● He issued coins in his own name which were included in the Khutba.
● In 1394, Malik Sarvar established the independent Jaunpur state.
(1451–89) ● Hussain Shah was the last ruler of Jaunpur state defeated by Bahlul
Lodi.[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]
● Jaunpur attained its greatest height under Sharqi Dynasty ruler, Ibrahim Shah
(1402-1440 AD).
● He constructed some monuments in a new regional style of architecture
known as the Sharqi architecture.
● Jaunpur was also known as the Shiraz of India during this period.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005]
● Most notable examples of Sharqi style of architecture in Jaunpur are the
Atala Masjid, Lal Darwaza Masjid, and Jama Masjid. [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre)
2019]
● The greatest and noblest of the three Lodhi rulers.
● Contemporary of Mahmud Begarha of Gujarat and Rana Sanga of
Mewar.
● Appointed Dariya Khan as Governor of Bengal
● Set up an efficient espionage system to maintain strict vigilance
● Suppressed power of jagirdars
Sikander Lodhi ● Promoted trade
(1489–1517) ● Introduced Gaz-i-Sikandari of 39 digits or 32 inches for measuring
agriculture land
● He abolished the octroi duty on grains[U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2010]
● Started auditing accounts
● He destroyed many Hindu temples and imposed many restrictions
on theHindus. He re-imposed jaziya on non-Muslims.
● Sikandar Shah enjoyed “Shehnai” Music. A work on music

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Medieval Indian History 25
 Medieval History Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

named “Lahjati-Sikandar Shahi” was created during his reign.

● He was a poet of repute, composed under the pen-name of Gulruk.
● Transferred capital from Delhi to Agra
● City of Agra conceptualised by him
● Founded Agra in c.1504 CE and wrote Persian verses under the
name ‘Gulrukhi’ [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008,
2015, Pre 2004, 2011]
● Ibrahim Lodi was stubborn and intolerant which were not good
qualities ina ruler.
● He was unsympathetic which turned many nobles against him.
(Decline ofthe Sultanate started)
● Nobles were killed cruelly and many nobles were humiliated by him.
● He also treated his son Dilwar Khan Lodi cruelly.
● When Sikandar Lodi died, the nobles divided the empire between his
Ibrahim Lodhi two sons and Ibrahim was made king of Delhi.
● The governor of Bihar declared independence and that of Punjab, Daulat
(1489-1517)
Khan, invited Babar, the ruler of Kabul, to invade Hindustan and oust
Ibrahim from the throne.
● Babur marched against Delhi and defeated and killed Ibrahim Lodhi in
the first Battle of Panipat (c.1526 CE).
Literature
● He translated an ayurvedic book himself called ‘Farhang-i-
Sikandari’.
● Lazzat-e Sikandari, text of Sanskrit was composed

● Afghan kingdom thus lasted for only 75 years. With him, the Sultanate period ended
● Scholar states “The Sultanate of Delhi, which had its birth on the battlefield of Tarain in c.
1192 CE, breathed its last in c. 1526 CE, a few miles away on the battlefield of Panipat.”

Causes of Decline of Delhi Sultanate (Common causes)

Financial instability + Degeneration of Delhi Sultans + Invasion of Timur + Resistance by IndianChiefs+ Inner
Conflict of Nobility+ Attacks by Mongols + Greed and incompetency of nobles + Defective military
organisation + Vastness of empire + Poor means of communication + War of succession + Despotic and
military type of government.

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Medieval Indian History 26
 Medieval History Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

Chapter-5
DELHI SULTANATE ADMINISTRATION, ART AND
CULTURE
Striking Features of Administration of Sultanate
Central Administration Provincial Government
● Sultan legal leader ● Provinces under the Delhi Sultanate were
● Assisted by council of ministers called iqtas (territory diveded by sultan
● Post of Naib was the most powerful one. amongs the nobles and military
● Naib practically enjoyed all powers of the commanders)
Sultan and exercised general control over ● The village remained the basic unit of the
all departments. administration

om
● Next to him was Wazir who headed the ● Sahib-i-Diwan was appointed to control
finance department called Diwani Wizarat. provincial revenue
● Chief Qazi, as head of the judicial Administrative Units:
department.
● Ariz-i-mumalik, head of the military l.c
● Iqta (Provinces): head- MuqtiShiq
ai
(District): head-Sikdar Paragana (taluka):
department responsible for recruiting the head-AmilGram (village): head-khut
gm

soldiers and administering the military

● Iqta means land or land revenueassigned
department.
by a ruler to an individual.
● Muslim personal law/sharia was followedin
07

civil matters. Hindus were governed by their ● Office holders were called Iqtadar,
own personal law and their cases were Muqti or Wali.
03

dispensed by village panchayats. ● Iqta system was introduced by

● The criminal law was based on the rules Mohmmad Ghori
ar

and regulations made by the Sultans. ● Iltumish institutionalised Iqtas[U. P. P. C.

● Wakil-i-Dar – officer responsible for
m

S. (Pre) 2010]
maintenance of proper decorum at court. ● Balban found many corruptions in Iqta
to

Various Central departments system.

● Diwan-i-wazirat: finance ● Ala-ud-din brought back most of Iqtaland
av

● Diwan-i-Ariz: Military back to Khalisa

● Diwan-i-Insha: Dept. of correspondence ● Under Firoz shah it became hereditary
ur

● Diwan-i-Risalat: Dept. of Foreign appeals

● Diwan-i-Mustakharaj: Dept. of loans
ga

● Diwan-i-Riyasat: Commerce
● Diwan-i-Kohi: agriculture
● Diwan-i-Bandagan: Slaves
● Diwan-i-khairat: Charity
● Diwan-i-Risalat: Dept. of religious affairs
● Diwan-I-i-Istiaq: pensions

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Medieval Indian History 27
 Medieval History - Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

Sultanate Economy and Land Revenue System:

● Agriculture
o The peasantry paid one third of their produce as land revenue, and
sometimes even one half of the produce.
o Ibn Batuta states- Soil was very fertile.
o Major Crops; Rice, Sesame, sugarcane and cotton were grown.
● Sarais or rest houses on the highways were maintained for the
convenienceof the travellers.
● Industries; Oil pressing, making of jaggery, weaving etc.
● Sericulture was introduced on a large scale.
● Bengal and Gujarat were famous for fine quality fabrics, like
Combay(Gujrat) for textile, gold & silver work & Sonargao for raw silk &
muslin.
● Indian textiles were exported.
Economy
● Turks introduced many new crafts (manufacturing of paper) and techniques
ex- use of iron stirrup, amour. It led to the growth of the metallurgicalindustry.
● They also introduced spinning wheels, book binding technique and block
printing.
● Postal system based on relays of horses or fast-runners was developed.
● Coin system
o The system of coinage had also developed during the Delhi Sultanate.
o Iltutmish issued several types of silver tankas and copper jittal.
o Gold coins or dinars became popular during the reign of Alauddin Khalji
after his South Indian conquests.
o Muhammad bin Tughlaq had experimented with token currency
● A number of new urban centers emerged resulting into urbanisation in 13th-
14th century
● Delhi Sultans introduced reforms in the land revenue administration. The
lands were classified into three categories:
o Iqta land – Lands assigned to officials as iqtas instead of
payment.[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]
o Khalisa land – Land under direct control of the Sultan and revenues
collected were spent for the maintenance of the royal court and royal
household.
o Inam land – Land assigned or granted to religious leaders or
institutions
Land revenue ● Sultans like Mohd bin Tughlaq and Firoz Tughlaq enhanced agricultural
System production by providing irrigation facilities and by providing taccavi
loans.
● 5 types of Land taxes:
o Ushra: Land tax levied on Muslims on total produce
o Kharaj: Land tax taken from Non-muslims
o Khams: War booty
o Zakat: religious tax from rich muslims
o Jazia: Non muslims
o Muktai: System for fixation of land tax

Society in Sultanate

Social Life ● There was little change in the structure of the Hindu society during this

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 Medieval History - Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

period.
● The practice of sati was widely prevalent.
● The seclusion of women and the wearing of purdah became common
among the upper-class women.
● The Arabs and Turks brought the purdah system into India and it
became widespread among the Hindu women in the upper classes of north
India.
● During the Sultanate period, the Muslim society remained divided into
several ethnic and racial groups. The Turks, Iranians, Afghans and Indian
Muslims etc. There were no intermarriages between these groups.
● Very rarely the Hindu nobles were given a high position in the government.
● The Hindus were considered zimmis or protected people for which they
were forced to pay a tax called jaziya.

Culture of Sultanate:

● Turkish influence:
o Architectural style brought by Turkish invaders had main features:
Dome, minarets, Arches, Propped roofs
o Arch or dome was not Turkish or Muslim invention. They learned
from Rome, developed and performed many experiments in its use.
o Turks also used the slab and Beam method in buildings. They also
added colour to their buildings by using marbles, red and yellow
sand stones.
o They used geometrical & floral designs with inscriptions containing
verses of the Quran. It was called Arabesque.
● Quwat-ul-Islam Mosque of Delhi was first monument of sultanate by
Aibak Ibadat khana was introduced Construction of Qutub Minar
started by Aibak and completed byIltumish[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]
● Adhai din ka Jhopra at Ajmer built by Aibak has characteristic
features of Hindu temples Iltutmish Built: Hauz-i-Shamsi and completed
Art and Qutb Minar Ala-ud-din Khilji built:
Architecture o Alai Darwaza- redstone structure; ‘Jewel of Islamic Architecture’
o Siri fort
o Hazar satoon (1000 Pillars)
o Hauz-i-Khas
● Muhammad bin Tughlaq built the tomb of Ghyasuddin on a high platform
● The Kotla fort at Delhi was the creation of Firoz Tughlaq.
● Lodhis:
o Lodi placed buildings, especially tombs on high platforms.
o Some toms are placed in the midst of gardens. ex- Lodi garden in
Delhi.
o Double dome was another feature of Lodis architecture. E.g. Mothi ki
Masjid (built by Sikandar Lodi).
● Multan style of Architecture: Tomb of Bahawal haq ; Alam- Finely
decorated Octagonal structure
● Bengal style: Tomb of zafar khan Ghazi, Square brick tomb of Jalaluddin
Mohammad shah, lal Darwaza mosque at Jaunpur, jamis Mosque

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 Medieval History - Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

● Malwa Style; Dilwar khan mosque, Mughis Mosque

● Gujarat Style: Wood work is used, Ahmad shah laid foundation of
Ahmedabad, Tomb of Ahmad Shah
● Kashmir Style: Sultans of Kashmir accepted traditional Hindu architecture,
Zain-ul-Abidin also known as Akbar of Kashmir was important for this
style. U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016
● Zain-ul-Abidin was one of the most revered kings in Kashmir's history. He
reigned from 1420 AD to 1470 AD.
● The first thirty-five years of his reign are described by Jonaraja in the
Rajatarangini Dvitiya.
● In his initial years he was known as Shahi Khan. [U.P.R.O.(Mains) 2016]
● He abolished Jizya first time.
● Sikandar Butshikan built Jama Masjid in 1400 AD in Kashmir which was
expanded by Zain-ul-Abidin.

om
● The characteristics of Jama Masjid includes turret, the similarity with Buddhist
pagodas and persian style.
● The most famous historians of this period were Hasan Nizami, Minhaj-

● l.c
us-Siraj, Ziauddin Barani, and Shams-i-Siraj Afif.
Zia Nakshabi was the first to translate Sanskrit stories into Persian.
ai
● The book Tutu Nama or "Tales of a Parrot" (a series of 52 books
gm

written in persian) became popular and was translated into Turkish.

● The famous Rajatarangini written by Kalhana belonged to the period
of Zain-ul-Abidin, the ruler of Kashmir.
07

● Maldhar Basu, compiler of Sri-Krishna Vijaya, was patronised by

Bengali Sultans and was granted the title of Gunaraja Khan.
●
03

Nusrat Shah patronised the translation of Mahabharata into Bengali.

Literature ● Amir Khusrau Wrote: (Court Poet of Khilji)
o Ayina-i-sikandar
ar

o Hasht Bihisht
o Laila Majnu
m

o Tughlaq nama
to

o Multa-un-anwar
o Khazain-ul-Futuh
av

o Tarikh-i-Delhi [U.P.B.E.O. (Pre) 2019,U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]

o Amir Khusrau was a prolific classical poet associated with the Royal courts
ur

of more than seven rulers of Delhi Sultanate.

o He was the first Persian poet to depict Indian environment in his poetry.
ga

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005, 2017]

o Amir Khusrau is known as the father of Hindi Khari Boli.
o He was a promoter of new poetic style ‘Sabak-e-Hindi’ or ‘Hindustani
Style.’ U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012
● Abu Bakr Wrote: Chach Nama (History of Sindh region)
● Firoz Shah: Fatwa-i-firozshahi
● Ibn Batuta: Kitab-ul-Rehala
● Firdausi: Shah nama (about Mahmud Ghazni’s reign)
● New musical instruments such as the sarangi and the rabab were
introduced during this period.
● Amir Khusrau introduced many new ragas such as Ghora and Sanam.
● He evolved qawwalis by blending the Hindu and Iranian systems.
● The invention of sitar and Tabla was also attributed to him.[U.P.P.C.S.

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 Medieval History - Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

Music (Pre) 2009]

● The Indian classical work, Ragadarpan, was translated into Persian
during the reign of Firoz Tughlaq.
● Pir Bhodan, a Sufi saint was one of the great musicians of this period.
● He encouraged the composition of a great musical work called Man
Kautuhal.

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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Chapter-6
BHAKTI AND SUFI MOVEMENT
Bhakti Movement
● Origin: Origin of Bhakti is traced in Vedas, but it's real development took place after the 7th century
AD.
● Bhakti: Worship of god on the personal devotion to attain salvation or moksha.
● Adoration of personal god: Process of ‘adoration of a personal god’ started during the course of
the 6th century BCE, with the rise of the heterodox movements of Buddhismand Jainism
● Vishnu worship: The worship of Vishnu too started around the same time, which was popularised
to a great extent by the Gupta kings
● Genesis: Bhakti Movement had its genesis in southern India in the 7th to 12th century CE.
● It is characterised by writings of its poet-saints, Shaivaite Nayannars and the Vaishnavaite
Alvars, who preached the Bhakti cult under the Pallavas, Pandyas, and the cholas.

Nayanars Alvars
Devoted to Lord Shiva and his avatars Devoted to Lord Vishnu and his avatars
Tirumarai – Compilation of hymns of Divya Prabandha– Compilation of the
Nayanars by the highest priest of Raja hymns of the Alvars saints – poets.
RajaChola I, Nambiyandar Nambi.
The details of the lives and of the saints are
described in the work ‘Tevaram’ which is also
called the Dravida Veda.
The Nayanars were from various backgrounds, Bhakti literature that sprang from Alvars had
including Brahmins, Harijan, and nobles. contributed to establishment and sustenance
Along with the twelve Vaishnava Alvars, they of culture that broke away from ritual-
are regarded as the important Hindu saints oriented Vedic religion and rooted itself in
from South India. devotion as only path for salvation
Important saints: Important saints:
● Tiru Neelakanta, ● Andal (only female Alwar saint who is
● Meiporul, referred to as the ‘Meera of the South’)
● Viralminda, ● Thirumazhisai Alvar
● Amaraneedi, ● Thiruppaan Alvar
● Eripatha ● Nammalwar
● Yenathinathar ● Kulasekara
● Karaikkal Ammaiyar (woman)

Reasons behind Bhakti Movement

• Evil practices in Hindu Society like
o Brahminical Dominance
o rigidity of caste system,
o irrelevant rituals and religious practices,
o blind faiths and social dogmas.
o polytheism,
o segregation,
o severe economic disparity due to casteism, untouchability etc

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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• Influence of Sufism
• Influence of Vaishnavism and Shaivism ideologies
• Idol worship in Buddhism: Mahayana Buddhism, the worship of the Buddha started in his
avalokita (gracious) form.
• Rival religions like Islam: The Islamic principles of one God, equality and fraternity of mankind
and complete surrender to God appealed to the liberal Hindus.
• Emergence of Great Reformers: Hindu liberals like Rmanuja, ChaitanyaMahaprabhu, Kabir, etc
emphasised aspects like equality irrespective of caste, creed, and colour,virtues of kindness of heart
and mind, devotion to one God (monotheism), freedom from all kinds of ritualism and preaching
in the language of the common people.

School of thought in Bhaktism

The Bhakti movement is also divided into two different ideological streams:
● ‘Saguna’(those poet-saints who composed verses extolling a god with attributes or form)

om
● ‘Nirguna’ (those extolling god without and beyond all attributes or form).
Nirguna Bhakti Saguna Bhakti
● Believe in formless God
l.c
● Believe in Personification of God
● Monotheistic Bhakti saints, who gave ● Upheld the caste system and the supremacy of
ai
more importance to the personal the Brahmans, and preached a religion of
gm

experience of Bhakti saints with god surrender and simple faith in a personal God,
● Rejected the varnashrama system and having a strong commitment towards idol
all conventions based on caste worship
07

distinctions ● Non-Liberal Social outlook

● Rejected the authority of the Brahmans ● Followers: Ramananda, Surdas, etc
03

and attacked the caste system and the

practice of idolatry
ar

● They greatly emphasised on the

fundamental unity of all religions
m

● Liberal in social matters

to

● Followers: Kabir, Nanak, Ravidas, etc

av

Bhakti Movement in North india

ur

● Started during the 12th century, differs from the southern Bhakti Movement
● The northern medieval Bhakti Movement had the influence of the spread of Islam in India.
ga

● The distinctive characteristics of Islam such as Monotheism or belief in one God, equalityand
brotherhood of man, and rejection of rituals and class divisions certainly influenced the Bhakti
Movement of this era
● Some scholars consider the rise of the Bhakti Movement as a reaction against feudal
oppression and against conformist Rajput−Brahman domination.
● Use of vernacular and local language.

Important Saints and their Philosophies

Name About
Vedant Saints and their Philosophies
● Leader of the Hindu revivalist movement of the 9th century
Shankaracharya
● Propounded the Advaita (Monism) philosophy and

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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(700-750 AD) Nirgunabrahman (god without attributes).

● Guru: Govinda Bhagavath pada
● Reality of the world is denied; Brahman is considered as the only
reality.
● Wrote commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, on the Brahma Sutra and
the Upanishads, and wrote books like: (a) Upadesh Shastri (b) Vivek
Chudamani (c) Bhaja Govindum Stotra
● Established mathas at Sringeri, Dwarka, Puri, and Badrinath
● Organiser of the Dashanami monastic order and unified theShanmata
tradition of worship centered around worship of six main hindu
deities(Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesh, Shakti, Surya and Skanda)
● Brhat-Sankara-Vijaya by Citsukha is oldest biography of Adi
Shankara
● Advaita Vedanta (Non-Dualism)
o Based on the concept that the higher or true Self is identical to
Brahman, the Absolute Reality.
o In Advaita Vedanta, Jnana yoga is the path of knowledge to
Moksha, or liberation from the cycle of life, death and rebirth.
o Doctrine also believes that Moksha can be achieved in this life
(Jivanmukti) in contrast to other Indian philosophies that
emphasise videha mukti, or Moksha after death
● Guru: Yadavapreksha
● He opposed the mayavada of Shankara and advocated philosophy of
the Vishista Advaitavada (qualified monism)
Ramanujacharya
● Founded the Shrivaishnava sect
(1017-1137 AD)
● According to him, God is Saguna Brahman.
● Kulothunga Chola, a Shaivite banished Ramanujacharya preaching for
Vaishnavism
● He wrote: Sribhashya, Vedanta dipa, Gita Bhasya, Vedantasara
● Vishistadvaita
o Brahman is a personal god with omniscient qualities.
o Advocated Prabattimarga or path of self surrender to God.
o Philosophy: Objects in creation are real, not illusionary.
o The practice of religion in Vishishta Advaita is similar to Dualism, and
the only difference is that mankind enjoys a higher status than in pure
dualistic worship and is nearer to God.
o Moksha, or spiritual liberation, is seen as the joy of contemplating
Brahman (not release from the life-death-rebirth cycle), and that joy is
the result of devotion, praise, worship & contemplating divine
perfection.
● Disciple of Ramanujacharya
● Preacher of Vaishnavite Bhakti in the Telangana region.
● He also founded the Sanak Sampradaya.
● Propounded Dvaita advaita and Bheda Abheda philosophy
Nimbaraka
● He wrote Dashasloki and commentaries on Vedanta
(1130-1200)
● He was also a prominent astronomer
● Dwita Advaita: Its philosophy held that men were trapped in physical
bodies constricted by prakrti(matter) and that only by surrender to
Radha-Krishna (not through their own efforts) could they attain the

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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grace necessary for liberation from rebirth; then, at death, the physical
body would drop away.
● Nagri Das (Servant of Radha) was the nickname of Raja Sawant Singh
(17th-18th century) of Kishangarh state, Ajmer.
● He wrote many verses in praise of Lord Krishna.
● The rulers of Kishangarh patronized the Nimbarka sect. [U.P.P.S.C. (GIC)
2010,U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004]
● He was a critic of Adi Shankara’s Advaita Vedanta and
Ramanuja’s Vishishtadvaita Vedanta teachings.
● In the 13th century, Madhava from the Kannada region propagated
Dvaita or the dualism of the Jivatma and Paramatma.
● Founded Brahama sampradaya
● He was invited into sanyasttva by Achyutapreksha.
● Some of his works were the Gita Bhashya, Brahma Sutra Bhashya,
Anu Bhashya, Karma Nirnaya, and Vishnu Tattva Nirnaya.
● Book: Anuvyakhyana
Madhavacharya ● Dvaita [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005]
(1199-1278) o According to Madhava, Brahman and the world are consideredto be
two equally real entities and not related in any way.
o The soul is bound to this world through ignorance
o For the soul to release itself from bondage is to seek Sri Hari’s
grace
o To reach Sri Hari, one has to practice Bhakti, there is no otherway
o To practice Bhakti, one needs to meditate
o To meditate, one needs to clear the mind and attain detachmentby
studying the sacred texts
o Philosophy: The world is not illusion but reality.
● Born in Benaras in 15th c. and lived at the court of Krishnadeva
Raya.
● He was also known as ‘Achinitabhadra’
● Its philosophy is Pushtimarga Sampradaya.
● He founded the Rudra Sampradaya
Vallabhacharya
● Surdas was the disciple of Vallabhacharya who was blind but he was
(1479-1531)
largely instrumental in popularising the Krishna cult in north India
● Shuddhadvaita(pure monism) [U.P.U.D.A. (Pre) 2002]
o Believed in absolute union.
o He prescribed Pushtimarg as the means for salvation (extreme
devotion to God)
Non-Sectarian Bhakti Movement
● He was born in Allahabad in the 15th century and was originally a
follower of Ramanuja. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]
● Vaishnava devotional poet
● Ramananda was influenced by Nathpanthi ascetics of Yoga school.
● Later, he founded his own sect and preached his principles in Hindi
Ramananda
at Benaras and Agra.
(1400-1470) ● Founder of the Ram cult in north India
● Rejected the monopoly of the Sanskrit language over the teachings
of religious texts
● He was first to employ a vernacular medium to propagate his
ideas.

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● He opposed the Caste system (‘Let no man ask a man’s sect or caste’)
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2009]
● His followers are called Ramanandis, like Tulsidas.
● His famous Disciples: Kabir, Ravidas, Bhagat Pipa and others.
● He put emphasis on bhakti and avoided both gyan marg and karma
marg.
● His verse is mentioned in the Sikh scripture Adi Granth.
● Some of his works include- Gyan-lila and Yog-chintamani (Hindi),
Vaishnava Mata Bhajabhaskara and Ramarchana paddhati
(Sanskrit).
● He was a 15th cent Bhakti poet and saint, whose verses are found in
the Sikh holy scripture, Adi Granth.
● First to reconcile Hinduism and Islam.
● Nirguna saint and openly criticised the orthodox ideas

om
Kabir ● He denounced idolatry and rituals and laid great emphasis on the
[1440-1510] equality of man before God.
● Refused to accept any prevalent religious belief without prior
reasoning
l.c
ai
● Denounced Caste system and untouchability
● His poems are called “Banis” (utterances) or ‘Dohe’.
gm

● Bijak is the best known of the compilations of the compositions of

Kabir
● Sakhi, Ramaini are the compositions of Kabir while the collection of
07

dialogues between Kabir and Dharamdas is titled as ‘Amarmul.’

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2003 ,U.P.U.D.A. 2002]
03

● He wrote- Sabad, Bijak, Doha, Holi, and Rekhtal.

● He propagated Ram Bhakti.
● Kabir says: “Ram Rahim is the same”.
ar

● Birth: Talawandi (Nankana Sahib) [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007]

m

● The first Sikh Guru and founder of the Sikhism, who was also a
Nirguna Bhakti Saint.
to

● Guru Nanak (1469-1539) founded the Sikh religion during the period of
Sikandar Lodi (1489-1517). [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
av

● Nanak used to believe in monotheism and forced on worshipping of

‘Nirguna Brahma.’
ur

● He believed that there is one and shapeless God. He did not believe in
anthropomorphism.
ga

● Great emphasis on the purity of character and conduct

Guru Nanak Dev ● Preached casteless, universal, anti-ritualistic, monotheistic religion
[1469-1538] ● Started free community kitchen(langars)
● He did not accept the theory of incarnation
● Nanak set out on a set of spiritual journeys through India, Tibet and
Arabia that lasted nearly 30 years.
● He introduced the concept of god- that is ‘Vahiguru’, an entity that is
shapeless, timeless, omnipresent and invisible.
● Other names for God in the Sikh faith are Akal Purakh and Nirankar.
● Guru Granth Sahib, the holiest book of the Sikhs, contains 974poetic
hymns composed by Guru Nanak
● Died at Kartarpur

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1. Guru Angad o Started Gurumukhi script.[U.P.P.C.S.

(1538-52) (Mains) 2017]
o He started the tradition of Mall Akhara
for physical as well as spiritual
development
2. Guru Amar Das o Reformed Langar institution
(1552-74) o Divided his spiritual empire into 22 parts
called Manjis, each under a Sikh and also
Piri system
o Advocated widow-remarriage, and asked
the women to discard the purdah
3. Guru Ramdas o Site of Harmandir at Amritsar by Akbar
(1575-81) o Composed 4 Lawans (stanzas) of the
Anand Karaj, a distinct marriage code for
Sikhs separate from the orthodox and
traditional Hindu Vedic system
4. Guru Arjun(1581- o Compiled Adi Granth (Guru Granth
1606) sahib)
o He was executed by Jahangir
o Hailed as the first martyr of the Sikh
religion, and as Shaheedan-de-Sartaj
(Thecrown of martyrs
5. Guru Hargobind o Titled ‘Saccha Padshah’
(1606-44) o Established the Akal Takht, and
fortifiedAmritsar
6. Guru har Rai o Gave shelter to Dara Shikoh (brother
(1644-61) ofAurangzeb, and his rival to the throne)
o thus was persecuted by Aurangzeb
7. Guru Har Kishan o Became guru at the age of 5.
(1661-64) o He died when he was being taken to
theAurangzeb's court because of a
'disease.
8. Guru Tegh Bahadur ● He appointed Banda Bahadur as the
(1664-75) military leader of the Sikhs.
● The real name of Banda Bahadur was
Lachhman Dev. This name was given to
him by Sikh Guru Gobind Singh.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2014]
o He was Executed by Aurangzeb
9. Guru Gobind Singh o Established Khalsa (Military sect) in
(1675-1708) 1699[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2006]
o Compiled the supplementary granth of
Deswan Padshan Ka Granth.
● They condemned the ritual and other aspects of orthodox religion and
the social order, using simple, logical arguments.
Nathpanthis, ● They encouraged the renunciation of the world.
Siddhas, and Yogis ● To them, the path to salvation lay in meditation and to achieve this they
advocated intense training of the mind and body through practices like
yoga asanas, breathing exercises and meditation.

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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Other Prominent Saints

● Teachings collected in Book ‘Bani’
● He was a disciple of Kabir
Dadu Dayal ● Founded Brhama Sect or Param Brhama Sampraday
[1544-1603] ● His followers came to be known as the Dadupanthis who set upashrams
known as Thambas around the region
● It is believed that Emperor Akbar was one of his followers
● Translated Ramayana & Mahabharata into Assamese
● He started the Ekasarana movement (Neo-Vaishnavite movement).
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]
● He believed in the worship of ‘Ekasarana’ (One God) in the form of
Krishna in Kamrupa (Assam) and Cooch Bihar [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2002,
2011]
Shankaradeva ● His most famous work is “Kirtana Ghosha”
(1449-1568) ● He wrote in Assamese and Brajavali (a mixture of Maithili and Assamese).
● He was the founder of Eka Saranadharma and Veerapurushamarga
● He is widely credited with building on past cultural relics and devising
new forms of music (Borgeet), theatrical performance (Ankia Naat,
Bhaona), and dance (Sattriya), literary language (Brajavali).
● Disciple of Vishoba Khechar
Namdeva ● He was a devotee of Vittoba (Vishnu)
(1270-1350AD) ● Opposed Caste system
● Only Nirguna saint in Maharashtra.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains)
● He belongs to the Varkari tradition. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004, 2002]
2005] ● Namdev was quite influenced by Islam. [U.P. U.D.A. (Pre) 2010,
U.P. U.D.A. (Mains) 2010]
● aka, Jnaneshwar or Jnandeva
● He was the founder of the Bhakti Movement in Maharashtra in the 13th
century.
Dnyaneshwar ● Wrote “Dnyaneshwari“, a commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita.
(1275-1296 AD) ● His other work is “Amrutanubhav “ on Yoga and philosophy.
● Worshipper of Vithoba (Vitthala), a manifestation of Vishnu.
● He was a follower of the Nath Yogi Tradition. He also drew inspiration
from the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita.
● Disciple of vallabhacharya
Surdas ● Devotee of Lord Krishna and Radha
(1478-1581) ● Use of Brajbhasha in his works
● Work: Sursagar, Sahitya Ratna, Sur Sura Wali
● He was the disciple of Keshav Bharti.
● Well-known saint, ascetic Hindu monk, and social reformer of Bengal,
who popularised the Krishna cult in the 16th century.
● He gave the philosophy of Achintya bheda abheda(inconceivable
Chaitanya oneness and differences)
(1486-1534) ● Popularised the Sankirtan/Kirtan system (group devotional songs
accompanied with ecstatic dancing).
● The form of Vaishnavism that he preached was called ‘Gudiya
Vaishnavism’
● The biography of Chaitanya was written by Krishnadas Kaviraj.
● Saint from Gujarat who wrote Gujarati songs depicting Radha–Krishna
Narsingh Mehta
love.
(1414-1481)
● Author of Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite bhajan – “Vaishanava jan ko”
Saint Thyagaraja ● Was one of greatest composers of Carnatic music, who composed

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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(1767−1847) thousands of devotional compositions, most in Telugu and in praise of

Lord Ram.
● He was a prolific composer and composed the famous Pancharatna Kritis
(meaning five gems).
● He was highly influential in the development of the classical devotional
music tradition.
● He was a famous saint from Chhattisgarh and he established the
Guru Ghasidas “Satnami Community” there.
● He strongly believed in equality and criticised the oppressive caste
(1756-1836 AD)
system.
● He was a monotheist and was against idol worship.
Haridas ● A great musician saint who sang the glories of Lord Vishnu
(1478-1573 AD)
● Depicted Rama as the incarnation
● Wrote “Ramcharitmanas”

om
Tulsidas ● He was Varkari
● Founded Sankatmochan Temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman in
(1532-1623 AD)

l.c
Varanasi.
● Tulsidas started the Ramlila plays, a folk-theatre adaption of the
Ramayana
ai
● Other works of Tulsidas include: Dohavali, Sahitya ratna or Ratna
gm

Ramayan, Gitavali , Krishna Gitavali or Krishnavali and Vinaya Patrika

● Tulsidas was the contemporary of Akbar and Jahangir.
● He finds mention in Ain-i-Akbari of Abul Fazl. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2004]
07

●
Eknath ● Wrote commentary on verses of the Bhagavad-Gita
●
03

(1533-1599) Devotee of Vithoba. He criticized the Caste distinctions.

● Contemporary of Maratha king Shivaji
Tukaram ● Devotee of Vithal
ar

(1598-1650) ● He founded the Varkri sect

● His teachings are contained in Abhangas.
m

● The mild devotees of God Vitthala of Pandharpur, who are more

Varakaris
to

emotional, theoretical, and abstract in their viewpoint

● The heroic followers of the cult of Ramadasa, the devotee of God
Dharakaris
av

Rama, who are more rational, practical, and concrete in their thoughts
Women in Bhakti Movement
●
ur

Also known as Akka or Mahadevi

● Contributed to Kannada literature
●
ga

Established herself as an ardent devotee of Shiva whom she addressed as

Akkamahadevi
Channamallikarjuna.
(1130-1160)
● She earned the title “Akka” meaning elder sister from great philosophers
of her time – Basavanna, Prabhu Deva, Madivalayya and Chenna
Basavanna.
● Was born around the 13th century in Maharashtra in a low caste Sudra
Janabai family.
(1258-1350) ● She wrote over 300 poems focusing on domestic chores and about the
restrictions she faced as a low caste woman.
Mirabai or Mira ● She was the most popular Bhakti reformer
(1498-1557) ● She was born in Rajasthan
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) ● She became the wife of Rana Bhojraj, one of the royal families in
2014] Rajasthan

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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● She was the first to introduce Giridhara Gopala cult of Brindavan and
also the first to introduce Bhajan in Bhakthi movement
● Her bhajans were composed in the language of Vraj Bhasha
● 17th-century poet-saint of Maharashtra, who wrote different abhang,
Bahinabai orBahina women’s folk songs that portray the working life of women, especially in
fields.
● Only female Alwar
Andal ● Andal saw herself as the beloved of Vishnu; she expressed her
devotional love for the deity.
● One of the 3 women Nayanars amongst the 63 Nayanars
KaraikkalAmmaiyar ● This devotee of Shiva adopted the path of asceticism in order to attain
her goal.
Impact of Bhakti Movement
● Social impact:
o Rejection of the caste distinctions
o Upliftment of people in the lower rungs
o Evil practice of ‘Sati’ received some set back
o Status of women got improved
o Popularised idea of equality & brotherhood
● Religious impact:
o Religious toleration
o Preached inclusive path to spiritual salvation
o Birth to a new sect i.e. Sikhism
o Rulers adopted liberal religious policies
● Impetus to Vernacular Languages:
o Understood very easily
o Idea spread easily
o Encouraged the value of social service to the poor and the needy
o Developed a humanitarian attitude

Sufi Movement
• Origin: Sufism rose from Islam in the 8th-9th centuries
• Region: Originated in lands of Madina, Mecca, Baghdad of Arab world
• Nature: Sufism was liberal reform movement within Islam, origin from Persia.
• The first sufi saint Shaikh Ismail of Lahore started preaching his ideas.
• Sufism(tasawwuf) is the name given to mysticism in Islam.
• Sufi means wool: People who wear long woollen clothes were called as sufis.
• Sufism sprang from the doctrine of Wahadut-ul-wajud (unity of being) propounded by
Ibn-ul-Arabi [1165-1240 AD]
• Sufism entered in India between 11th and 12th century
• Al-Hujwari was the first of Sufis who settled in India and died in 1089 AD, popularlyknown
as Data Ganj Baksh (Distributor of unlimited treasure).
• Sufism has 2 forms:
o Basara- Who believed in Islamic Laws
o Beshara- Who did not believe in Islamic laws
• The terms Sufi, Wali, Darvesh, and Faqir are used interchangeably for Muslim saints who
attempted to achieve ascetic exercises, contemplation, renunciation.
• The ideas of ruh (soul), qurbat (divine proximity), and hulul (infusion of the divinespirit),
Ishq (divine love), and Fana (self-annihilation) are central to the theory of Sufism.
• By the 12th century, the Sufis were organised in Silsila (i.e., orders, which basicallyrepresented an

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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unbreakable chain between the Pir, the teacher, and the murids, the disciples).
• The liberal and unorthodox features of Sufism appreciated by Mughal emperor Akbar.

Features of Sufism
● Sufism derives its inspiration from Islam. While the orthodox Muslims depend uponexternal
conduct and blind observance of religious rituals, the Sufi saints seek inner purity.
● According to Sufi saints, God is the beloved of the lover (``Mashook”) i.e. the devotee andthe
devotee is eager to meet his beloved (God).
● It is based on Pir-Murid (Teacher- student)
● The Sufis think that love and devotion are the only means of reaching God.
● Along with Prophet Muhammad, they also attach great importance to their ‘Murshid’ or ‘Pir’
● Devotion is more important than fast (Roza) or prayer (Namaz)
● Critical of the dogmatic definitions and scholastic methods of interpreting the Qur’an andSunna
(traditions of the Prophet) adopted by theologians.
● Sufis rejected elaborate rituals and codes of behaviour demanded by Muslim religiousscholars.
● Sufism took roots in both rural and urban areas and exercised a deep social, political andcultural
influence on the masses
● Sufism has adapted extensively from the Vedanta school of the Hindu philosophy.
● Sufism does not believe in the caste system.
● Sufism emphasises upon leading a simple life.
● Sufi saints preached in Arabic, Persian and Urdu etc.
● The Sufis were divided into 12 orders each under a mystic Sufi saint like Khwaja Moinuddin Chisthi,
Fariuddin Ganj-i-Shakar, Nizam-ud-din Auliya etc.

Sufi orders
● Established in India by Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti, after invasion of
Muizzuddin Muhammad Ghori, and settled in Ajmer around c.1206 [U.P.
P.C.S. (Pre) 2002,2011, (Mains) 2014]
● Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti was born in Sakastan (Sistan) at southern province
of Afghanistan in 1136 AD (Hijari 530).
● After that, he shifted with his parents to Khurasan province.
● Khwaja Usman Chishti Haruni made him disciple at Nishapur. [U.P.P.C.S.
(Pre) 2014, U.P.R.O. (Mains) 2014]
● The Chisti presence in Delhi was established by Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar
Kaki
● Apart from Muinuddin Chisti, other important Chistis were Baba
Fariduddin Ganj-i- Shakar, who established himself at Hansi, Haryana on
Chishti Order route between Multan and Lahore, and Nizamuddin Auliya.
● The Dargah of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya is situated in Delhi.[U.P.P.C.S.
(Pre) 2020]
● Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya saw the regime of more than seven Sultans, but
he never visited their court. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2014]
● Sultan Jalaluddin tried to meet Nizamuddin Auliya through Amir Khusrau
but when Nizamuddin Auliya heard that the Sultan is about to come, he
moved to Ajodhan.
● He was also known as ‘Mehboob-e-Ilahi.’ [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]
● 'Fawaidul Fawad' was compiled by Amir Hassan Sizzi. It is compilation of
teachings of Sufi Saint Hazarat Nizamuddin Auliya. [UPPCS Pre 2021]
● In the 13th century, the Chisti Order was established in the Deccan by
Shaikh Burhanuddin Gharib.

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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● Baba Fariduddin popularly known as Baba Farid built khanaqah at

Punjab and was the 1st Punjabi sufi poet.
● Nizamuddin Auliya was his disciple. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]
● His ‘dargah’ (tomb) at Ajmer (Ajmer Sharif) has become a place of
pilgrimage for Muslims as well as the Hindus. His devotees believe that
by offering prayer at his tomb, their wishes (‘minit’) are fulfilled.
● Shaikh Nasiruddin Mahmud was a disciple of Sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya.
He was given the title of 'Chirag-e- Delhi'. [U.P. R.O. (Pre) 2017]
● Silsilah was founded by Shihabuddin Suhrawardi in
Baghdad.[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]
Suhrawardi Order ● Established in India by Bahauddin Zakariya.
● Unlike chishti saints Suhrawardi maintained close contacts with state
● This silsila was firmly established in Punjab and sind
● Founder: sheikh Badruddin Samarkandi (13th CE)

om
Firdausiya Order ● Activities were confined to Bihar
● Famous sufi of Shafruddin Ahmad Yahiya Maneri was of this order
● Established in India by Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshbandi

l.c
● Sheikh Baqi Billah and Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1625) were the most
famous saints
ai
● Popularised by Babur who was devoted to Khwaja Ahrar of this order
● They criticised the liberal policies of Akbar such as the high status
gm

Nashqbandi Order
accorded by Akbar to many non-Muslims, the withdrawal of the jizya, and
the ban on cow slaughter.
● Aurangzeb was the follower of this Sufi order.
07

● This order was against Music. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013,U.P.P.C.S.

(Pre)2003]
03

● Popular in Punjab, was initiated during the Mughal rule under the
teachings of Sheikh Abdul Qadir
ar

Qadiriyya Order ● Supported the concept of Wahdat al Wajud meaning “Unity of

Existence” or “Unity of Being”
m

● During the reign of Aurangzeb, Qadiriyya order lost patronage of court

● Founder: Sheikh Sirajuddin Abdullah Shattar
to

● The Sufi saint Shah Muhammad Ghaus accepted Lord Krishna as Auliya.
● He was the most famous saint of Shattari order.
av

● He had a close relationship with Mughal emperor Humayun and Tansen.

Shattariyya Order ● He expressed his spiritual quest in ‘Jawahir-e-Khamsa’.
ur

● He translated ‘Amritkund’ of Hatha yoga by the name of ‘Bahar-ul-Hayat.’

Shattari Saints tried to bring about reconciliation between Muslims and
ga

Hindus by showing the equality in religious ideas and practices.[U.P.P.C.S.

(Mains) 2012, (Pre) 2003]
Roshaniya Order ● Founder: Miyan Bayazid Ansari
Mahadwadi Order ● Founder: Mullah Mohammad Mahdi
Rishi Order ● Founder: Nur-ud-din Nurani founded in Kashmir
Qualandariya Order ● Founder: Abu Wali Qalander
Sufism and Music
● Sufism encourages music as a way of deepening one’s relation with God, remembering Godby zikr
(reciting name) sama or performance of mystical music.[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]
● Sufis too composed poems and a rich literature in prose, including anecdotes and fables, themost
notable writer of this period was Amir Khusrau the follower of Nizamuddin Auliya.
● Sufi saints are credited with the development of sitar and tabla.

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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● It contributed to the evolution of classical music. Khayal style owes a lot to sufism.
● Amir Khusro gives a unique form to sama.
● Khusrow is sometimes referred to as the “Parrot of India”. His songs are sung in severaldargahs
across the country. Khusrow is regarded as the “Father of Qawwali”.
● Amir Hasan-i-Dehlavi is called as the ‘Sadi of India’ (Sadi- i-Hind) for his great Ghazals. [U.P.P.C.S.
(Mains) 2013]

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 Medieval History - Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

Chapter-7
VIJAYANAGAR AND BAHMANI
EMPIRE
The Vijayanagar Kingdom [1336-1672 CE]
Sources
● Some Literary Sources to study Vijayanagar:
o Krisnadevaraya’s ‘Amuktamalyada’,
o Gangadevi’s ‘Madhuravijayam’,[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]
o Allasani Peddanna’s ‘Manucharitra’
o Vishvanatha Sthanapati’s ‘Rayavachakam’
o Robert seawell’s ‘The forgotten history of vijayanagar empire’
● Foreigner’s Account:
o Moroccan Traveller- Ibn Batuta(Visited Harihara I, also visited Muhammad bin
Tughalaq);
o Venetian traveller- Nicolo de Conti(during times of Devaraya 1);
o Persian- Abdur Razzak(visited during Devaraya 2);[U.P. U.D.A. (Mains) 2010,U.P.R.O. (Pre)
2017]
o Portuguese- Domingo Paes and Duarte Barbosa (visited during Krishnadevaraya).
o Portuguese – Nuniz(visited during the times of achyuthdevaraya)
● Archaeological Sources:
o Srirangam Copper Plate (Tamil Nadu) inscription of Devaraya II;
o Bitragunta inscription (Andhra Pradesh) is the major source for the construction offamily
history of the sangama dynasty.
o Hampi Ruins;
o Coins by various rulers.

About Kingdom
● Vijayanagar kingdom constituted four dynasties — Sangama (c.1336–1485 CE), Saluva (c.1485–
1503 CE), Tuluva (c.1503–1570 CE) and Aravidu (till the end of the 17thcentury).
● Founder: Two Sangama brothers Harihara (Hakka) and Bukka Raya laid the foundation of
Vijayanagar on the south of river Tungabhadra in 1336.
● Region: Vijayanagara kingdom comprised the whole of south India up to Rameshwaram,including
the Tamil country as well as that of the Cheras (Kerala). (Vijayanagar is in today’s Bellar district
of Karnataka).
● Followers: Early Vijayanagar rulers were followers of Shaivism. Virupaksha was their family God.
Later they came under the influence of Vaishnavism. However, Siva continued to be worshipped.
● Conflict: There was constant conflict between the Vijayanagar Empire and Bahamani kingdom
over Raichur doab (fertile region between Krishna and Tungabhadra), Tungabhadra doab (fertile
areas of Krishna-Godavari delta) & Marathwada. While in the south its main rivals were the Sultans
of Madurai.
● Battle of Talikota: During the reign of Rama Raya, the combined forces of Bijapur, Ahmednagar,
Golkonda and Bidar defeated him at the Battle of Talikota in 1565 which marked an end of the
Vijayanagar Empire.[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2014]
● Last ruler: The last ruler of Vijayanagar was Sri Ranga III

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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1. Harihara I [1336-1356]
● Known as Hakka Raya, founder of Vijayanagar
● Baggipelsi Inscription gives information about him
● Originally feudatories of the Kakatiyas of Warangal.
● Saint Vidyaranya played the role of Mentor.
● He built a fort at Bakruru, west coast of Karnataka
● Administered Northern parts of Karnataka
● ‘Anegundi’ (in modern koppal district, Karnataka) was his first
capital
● Included Hoysalas (capital Dwarasamudra) area in his kingdom
● [U.P.R.O. (Pre) 2014]
● Halebid is the modern name of Dwarasamudra.[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2003]
2. Bukka Raya [1356-1377]
● Extended kingdom to southern India

om
● He defeated Shambuvaraya kingdom of Arcot
● He defeated sultanate of Madurai
● ‘Madhuraivijaiyam’ written by his wife Gangambika

l.c
● Bukka sent missions to China
● Capital of empire established at Vijayanagar
ai
3. Harihar II [1377-1404]
gm

Sangama Dynasty ● He extended his kingdom to east coasts

● Harihara ruled from capital Vijayanagar now more known as
(1336-1485)
Hampi[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008, 2007]
07

● Patronised kannada poet, Madhura

4. Deva Raya I [1406-1422]
● Constructed dam across river Tungabhadra to bring canals into
03

city
● Under Deva raya, Vijayanagar became a learning centre
ar

‘Vidyanagar’.
● Italian traveller Nicolo Conti (in c.1420).
m

5. Deva Raya II [1422-1446]

to

● Greatest ruler of sangama dynasty

● Authored well-known works in Kannada language (Sobagina Sone
av

and Amaruka) and in Sanskrit language (Mahanataka Sudhanidhi).

● The Sanskrit poet Gunda Dimdima, and gifted Telugu poet
ur

Kavisarvabhauma (Emperor among Poets) Srinatha, author of

Haravilasam, was also present at his court.
ga

● The noted Hazare Rama temple, an excellent example of Deccan

architecture, was constructed during his rule.
● He also patronised poets like Chamarasa and Kumaravyas.
● Acquired the title of Gajabetegara, which means “Hunter of
Elephants”
● Abdur Razzak visited his kingdom in 1443
● The Gorantla inscription traces the details of Saluva dynasty
● Saluva, founded by Saluva Narasimha (the earlier king’s minister)
Saluva Dynasty reigned only for a brief period (c.1486–1491 CE).
(1485-1505) ● Annamcharaya (Music composer) lived during this time period.
● Important Rulers: Narasimha Dev raya, Thimma Bhupala,
Narasimha raya II

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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1. Vir Narsimha Ray [1505-09]: Founder of Tuluva Dynasty

2. Krishna Deva Raya [1509-1529]
● The greatest of the Vijayanagar rulers
● Known: ‘Abhinava Bhoja’, ‘Andhra Pitamah’, ‘Andhra Bhoja’
● Krishna Deva himself took the title of Yavanarajya
sthapanacharya
● His Conquests:
o His first task was to check invading Bahamani forces and laterthe
Tuluva Dynasty Deccan Sultanates.
o Muslim armies were decisively defeated in Battle of Diwani.
(1505-1570)
o He invaded Raichur Doab and confronted Adil Shah ofBijapur.
o He defeated the Gajapathi ruler Prataparudra and conqueredthe
whole of Telangana.
● Foreign Policy:
o He maintained friendly relations with the Portuguese. Governor
Albuquerque sent his ambassadors to Krishna Deva Raya.
o The Portuguese travellers Domingo Paes and Barbosa came to
India during his reign
o Friendly relations with Portuguese Governor, Albuquerque.
● Religious Belief:
o He was Vaishnavite, but respected all religions.
o Great patron of literature and art.
o Sayana was a great commentator on Vedas.[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008]
o 8 eminent Telugu scholars ‘Ashta diggajas’ adorned his court:
▪ Allasani Peddanna (Title- Andhrakavita Pitamaha):
worksinclude Manucharitam and Harikathasaram.[U.P.
U.D.A. (Pre) 2006]
▪ Tenali Ramakrishna: author of Panduranga Mahamatyam.
▪ Pingali Suranna: author of Garuda Puranam, Prabhavatee
Pradyumnamu, Raghava Pandaveeyam and Kalapurnodayam.
▪ Nandi Thimmana – the author of Parijatapaharanam
▪ Madayyagari Mallana
▪ Dhurjati
▪ Ayyalaraju Ramabhadra Kavi
▪ Ramaraja Bhushana
● KrishnaDevaraya Wrote: Amuktamalyada (Telugu), Jambavati
Kalyanam and Ushaparinayam (Sanskrit)
● The famous temple of Tirupati greatly developed during his period
● He built some fine stone temples such as the famous Vittalaswami
and Hazara Ramaswamy temples at Vijayanagar.
● Built Krishna temple at Hampi.
● Also built Nagalapuram in memory of the queen mother.[U.P.P.C.S.
(Pre) 2016]
3. Achyuta Deva raya [1529-1542]
● Portuguese traveller, Fernoa Nuniz, came to India during his reign.
● He patronised the Kannada poet Chatu Vittalanatha, the great singer
and composer Purandaradasa (father of Carnatic music)
● The Sanskrit scholar Rajanatha Dindima II.
● Tiruvengalanatha temple, now popularly known as the Achyutaraya
temple, was built in Vijayanagar during his reign.
4. Sadashiv Roy [1542-1570]

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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● His minister, Aliya Rama Raya, who was the de facto king.
● Deccan states (Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, Golkonda and Bidar, except
Berar) thus formed confederacy and inflicted crushing blow on
Vijayanagar armies at Bannihatti in Battle of Talikota in c.1565
● This battle is also known as Rakshasa Tangadi
● The Battle of Bannihatti is generally considered to mark the end of the
Vijayanagar Empire.
● Caesar Fredrick visited Vijayanagar after the battle of Talaikotta.
Aravidu Dynasty ● Tirumal Deva Raya- Founder of Aravidu Kingdom
(1570-1649) ● Sri ranga III- Last ruler of Vijayanagar Kingdom
Administration of Vijayanagar
● The Rayas (king) enjoyed absolute authority in executive, judicial and legislative matters.
● King was the highest court of appeal.
● Succession to the throne was mostly on the principle of hereditary succession. [Saluva
narsimha came to power after ending Sangama]
● The kingdom was divided into different administrative units called Mandalams(Provinces),
Nadus (Districts), Sthalas (sub-districts) and Gramas(villages).
● The governor of the Mandalam was called Mandaleswara or Nayak.
● Vijayanagar rulers gave full powers to the local authorities.
● The growth of hereditary nayakships weakened local self-government of villages.
● Some important Offices:
o Nayak: Provincial governor
o Dandnayak: Chief of Army
o Ayagar: Hereditary officers
o Karnikam: Treasurer/ accountant
o Athavan: Land revenue department
o Talar: Home minister
o Nayankaras: Military Chief/ Nayak of palaiyagars
o Ayangars: 12 members institution for village administration
Military of Vijayanagar
● Army was well organised
● It consists- cavalry, infantry, artillery, and elephants.
● High breed horses were procured from foreign traders.
● Top grade army officers- Nayakas or Poligars
● Palaiyakkarar or Polygar was the feudal title of a class of administrative and Military governors
appointed by the Nayaka rulers of South India (notably Vijayanagara Empire, Madurai Nayaks and
the Kakatiya dynasty) during 16th to 18th centuries. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]
● Land was given in lieu of their services, land called Amaram.
● Soldiers were usually paid in cash.
Nayankaras and Ayagaras System
● Vijayanagara Kingdom War-State approach, ever made by Hindu Kingdom.
● The Nayankara system was an important Feature of Provincial organisation.
● According to this system, the King was the owner of soil, who distributed land toNayakas.
● In return for the land they received from the king, the nayakas paid a fixed annual
financial contribution to the imperial exchequer which generally maintained for the kinga
sufficient number of troops and served him in his wars.
● An important feature of the village organisation was the ayagar system.
● According to it, every village was a separate community or republic, and its affairs were
conducted by a body of 12 functionaries who were collectively called the ayagars.

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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Revenue and Economy

● Land revenue called ‘sist’
● Department of land revenue called Athavan.
● Taxes on Land: Kadmal, Irai,vrai (Generally it was at rate of 1/6th of the total produce.)
● Source of Income of Govt.: chungi tax, custom tax, land revenue, Tributes, gifts,profession
tax
● Chief occupation: Agriculture
● Irrigation: New tanks were built and dams were constructed across rivers like Tungabhadra
● Gold coins: were called- ‘varahas’ or Pagoda
● Diamond mines were located in Kurnool and Anantapur district
● Commercial contacts: with Arabia, Persia, South Africa, and Portugal on the west, and with
Burma, the Malay peninsula and China on the east flourished.
● Chief items of Exports: were cotton and silk clothes, spices, rice, iron, saltpetre, and sugar.
● Imports: consisted of horses, pearls, copper, coral, mercury, China silk, and velvet cloths.

om
● Famous Ports: Malabar coast, Cannanore.
● Art of Ship building was developed

l.c
Social Life
● Allasani Peddanna in his Manucharitam refers to the existence of four castes — Brahmins,
ai
Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Sudras.
● Paes mentions beautiful houses of the rich and the large number of their household servants.
gm

● Nicolo Conti refers to the prevalence of slavery.

● Sangama rulers were chiefly Saivaites and Virupaksha was their family deity.
● Muslims allowed to build mosques for worship.
07

● Barbosa referred to the religious freedom enjoyed by everyone.

● Position of women had not improved; some women learnt (Gangadevi- wife of
03

Kumarakampana)
● Famous Women poet: Hannamma, Thirumalamma.
●
ar

Women were honoured, they participated in social political gatherings.

● Widow could remarry.
m

● Women even went to battles.

● Child marriage was practiced
to

● The practice of devadasi (attachment of dancing girls to temples) was in place.Domingo Paes
refers to the flourishing devadasi system of this period.
av

● Amusement: Music, Dance, wrestling, gambling, cock fight

Cultural Contribution of Vijayanagar
ur

● Management of water resources: canals, reservoirs, tanks constructed

● The chief characteristics of the Vijayanagara architecture were the construction of tall Raya
ga

Gopurams or gateways and the Kalyanamandapam with carved pillars in the temple
● Horse was the most common animal in these pillars.
● Vittalaswami and Hazara Ramaswamy temples were the best examples of this style.
● The Varadharaja and Ekambareswarar temples at Kanchipuram stand as examples of the
magnificence of the Vijayanagara style of temple architecture.
● The Raya Gopurams at Thiruvannamalai and Chidambaram speak of the glorious epoch of
Vijayanagar
● Virupaksha temple built by Krishna Deva Raya
● His famous court poet Allasani Peddanna was distinguished in Telugu literature.
● Literature: Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu language witnessed voluminous literature in the
Vijayanagar period.
● Nannaya, Tikkana and Yerrapragada came to be known as the Kavi Traya meaning the

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 Medieval History - Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

trinity of poets or the three great poets. This Trinity translated the Mahabharata from
Sanskrit into Telugu during the period of 11th to 14th century. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]
● Few Sanskrit works are:
o Gangadevi wrote- Madhuravijayam
o Krishnadevarya wrote – usha parinayan, jambavanti kalyanam, madalasa charita.
o Guru vidyaranya wrote—Raja kalanirnaya
● Literary works in Kannada.
o Chamarasa wrote – prabhulinga leela
o Kanakadas wrote- Ramadhanacharite, nala charite, mohantarangini
o Kumaravyasa wrote – Karnataka katha manjari
o Purandardas — keertanas
● Literary works in Telugu
o Krishnadevaraya wrote – Amuktamalyada
o Allasani pedanna wrote – Manucharita
o Nandi timanna wrote – Parijathaparahana etc
Bahamani Empire [1347-1527]
● In the 14th century, along with Vijayanagar kingdom, another powerful kingdom arose in South
India, which was the Bahmani Sultanate. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
● In order to establish a stable administration in Deccan, Mohammad bin Tughlaq appointed Amiran-
i-sada, also known as Sada Amir (administrative heads of hundred villages).
● The conflict between the officers in Deccan and Delhi Sultanate, accelerated which ultimately
resulted in the establishment of an independent state in the Deccan in c. 1347 CE [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains)
2005]
● Region: The Kingdom stretched from north to south from the Wainganga River toKrishna and
east to west from Bhongir to Daulatabad.
● Capital at Gulbarga in Andhra Pradesh.
● Founder: Hasan Gangu, assumed the title Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah.
● Bahmani Empire reached its zenith during the time of Mahmud Gawan who was aminister
of the Empire.
● Last ruler: Kalimullah was the last king of the Bahmani dynasty.

Famous Rulers:
Alauddin hasan
BahmanShah ● Also known as Hasan Gangu, founded Bahamani kingdom
(1347-58)
● He started the Bahmani expansion towards Berar
● He was well acquainted with the religious sciences
(commentaries on the Quran, jurisprudence) and natural
Tajuddin Firoz Shah sciences too (such as botany, geometry, logic, etc.).
(1397-1422) ● He encouraged the pursuit of astronomy and built an
observatory near Daultabad.
● Inducted a large number of Hindus in his administration.

Ahmad Shah Wali ● His association with the famous Sufi saint Gesu Daraz
(1422-35) ● He shifted the capital from Gulbarga to Bidar

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 Medieval History - Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

● He was a Persian merchant.

● He was granted the title of Malik-ulTujjar, i.e., ‘Chief of the
Merchants’ by Humayun Shah.
● He divided the kingdom into eight tarafs or provinces, each
governed by a tarafdar
● Curtailed power of Tarafdars in order to strengthen the
central government.
● The salary was paid in cash or by assigning a Jagir.
● A tract of land called Khalisa was set apart for expenses of the
Sultan.
Mahmud Gawan ● Introduced use of Gunpowder in war against VijayanagarKings.
(1461–1481) ● Executed in 1481 by Muhammad Shah, Deccan nobles plotted
against him.
● After Gawan’s execution, the Bahmani kingdom began to
disintegrate and the provincial governors declared their
independence.
● Bahmani kingdom disintegration
o Nizam Shahis of Ahmadnagar
o Adil Shahis of Bijapur
o Qutub Shahis of Golconda
o Imad Shahis of Berar
o Barid Shahis of Bidar

By the Year 1526, Bahamani Kingdom was split into 5 independent kingdoms:
● Founded by Ahmad Nizam Shah
Nizam Shahis of ● Founded the city of Ahmadnagar
Ahmadnagar ● Annexed by Shah Jahan
● Founded by Yusuf Adil Shah
● Mohd. Adil Shah built the world’s second largest dome
(GolGumbaz of Bijapur)
Adil Shahis of Bijapur ● Bijapur was annexed by Aurangazeb in 1686.
● Ibrahim Adil Shah II was ruler of Bijapur Kingdom.
● He wrote 'Kitab-i-Nauras' in Deccani language.
● Yusuf Adil Shah was the ruler of Bijapur.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2004,2020]
● Founded by Fatullah Khan Imad-ul-Mulk
Imad Shahis of Berar ● Later conquered by Nizam Shahi rulers of Ahmadnagar
● Annexed by the rulers of Ahmednagar.
● Founded by Quli Qutub Shah, who built the famous
Golcondafort.
Qutub Shahis ofGolconda ● Quli Qutub Shah Greatest of all Qutub Shahi who built
thecity of Hyderabad and ‘Charminar’.
● Kingdom annexed by Aurangzeb.
● Founded by Ali Barid.
Barid Shahis of Bidar ● Annexed by Adil Shahis of Bijapur

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 Medieval History - Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

● In the Bahmani kingdom, trade and commerce was in a

flourishingstate.
● Nikitin, the Russian traveller, who was in Deccan during
1469– 1474, provides us with ample information regarding the
commercial activities of Bidar.
● Horses, cloth, silk and pepper were the chief merchandise.
● Nikitin mentions the Bahmani seaport Mustafabad-Dabul
as acentre of commercial activity.
● Dabul was well connected with Indian as well as with
Economy and Society Africanports.
● Horses were imported from Arabia,Khurasan and Turkestaan.
● Trade and commerce was mostly controlled by Hindu
merchants.
● The social structure of the Bahmanis was cosmopolitan in

om
character.
● There were Muslims, Hindus, Iranians, Transoxonians,

l.c
Iraqis andAbyssinians.
● The Portuguese came during the early sixteenth century.
ai
● Persian, Arabic and Urdu literature flourished in this period.
gm

● Mohammad Gawan wrote poems in the Persian language.

Riyaz-ul-Insha, Manazir-ul-insha are his works.
Literature ● A new dialect called “Dakhini urdu “ became popular
07

during thistime.
● The famous sufi saint of Gulbarga, Khwaja Bande Nawaz
03

GesuDaraj wrote in this language.

● They followed Indo-Islamic style of architecture with some
ar

improvisation. Local materials were used to construct the

buildings.
m

● The architecture was highly influenced by Persian architecture.

to

● Some features of this style are

o Tall minarets
av

o Strong arches
o Huge domes
ur

o Spacious Hazaras
Architecture
o Crescent moon at the top of the building
ga

● Examples:
o Monuments at Gulbarga: Shah bazaar mosque, Hafta
Gumbaz, Jama maszid etc
o At Bidar : Mohammad Gawan’s madrasa, solah khamba
mosque, Rangeen mahal, Janata mahal etc
o At Bijapur : Gol gumbaz(built by Mohammad Adil shah
in 1656AD), Ibrahim roza, Bara Kaman, Anand mahal,
Chand Bawdi etc.

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 Medieval History - Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

Chapter-8
MUGHAL EMPIRE I [BABUR, HUMAYUN, SHER SHAH]
Background to Arrival of Mughals
● The Mughal Empire was founded by Babur, a Central Asian ruler who claimed lineagefrom
Timur (the founder of the Timurid Empire)
● Mughals are also referred as Timurids [related to Timur from father’s side and ChengizKhan
from mother’s side]
● The Mughal rulers belonged to the Chugatai branch of Turks. [U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2010]
● The situation in Central Asia was not stable and Babur lost to the Uzbeks.
● Ousted from his ancestral domains in Central Asia, Babur was forced to move towardsIndia.
● India was already divided into many small states and lacked central authority.
● Daulat Khan Lodhi, who declared himself independent in Punjab, invited Babur to India.
Mughal Rule:
● Founder of Mughal Empire (descendants of Mongols)
● He became the Sultan of Farghana (Uzbekistan)
● Babur captured Samarkand during his reign in 1501 A.D., which lasted only
for eight months.
● After losing Samarkand and Ferghana, Babur moved towards Kabul.
● After the victory of Kabul in 1504, he gave up the title ‘Mirza’ held by his
ancestors and adopted the title of ‘Padshah.’ [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015]
● He was invited to fight against Ibrahim Lodhi by Daulat Khan
Lodhi
● First Battle of Panipat (c.1526 CE): fought between Ibrahim Lodhi
and Babur. [U. P. P. C. S. (Mains) 2012, (Pre) 2016]
● Ibrahim Lodhi was defeated and he took control of Delhi and Agra.
● He effectively applied the Rumi (Ottoman) method of warfare,
also known as Tulguma system of warfare
● Introduced gun-fires under Ottoman gunners Ustad Ali and
Babur Mustafa
[1526-1530] ● Battle of Khanwa (c.1527 CE, near Fatehpur Sikri): fought between
Babur and Rana Sanga of Mewar and his allies.
● Babur declared ‘Jehad’ in the battle of Khanwa.
● Babur defeated Rana Sanga in this battle and assumed the title of ‘Ghazi.’
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004, 2009]
● Battle of Chanderi (c.1528 CE): This battle was fought between
Babur and Medini Rai, the Rajput ruler of Malwa. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre)
2015]
● Battle of Ghagra (near Bihar, c.1529 CE): This battle was fought
between Babur and Mahmud Lodhi
Highlights of Rule:
● Established an all-India Empire by breaking the Rajput Confederacy.
● Introduced new mode of warfare and led to the popularisation of
gunpowder, cavalry, and artillery in India
● He wrote his memoir in a dialect of Turkish, it’s called Tuzuk-i-
Babri/Babarnama [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]

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 Medieval History - Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

● Introduced Char-Bags and symmetrically laid out gardens with

running waters and fountains.
● He was a Naturalist and described the flora and fauna of India.
● Obtained Kohinoor diamond from Gwalior King, Rana Vikramjit
and gifted to Humayun
● Security from External invasions for almost 200yrs.
● Strengthened India’s foreign trade.
● Babur issued silver and gold coins during his rule. Silver coins were called
as 'Shahrukhi'. [U.P. R.O. (Pre) 2017]
● Eldest son of Babur, He succeeded Babur.
● In 1531, he first invaded Kalinjar
● Battle of Dauhariya (1532): He fought with afghans under leadership
of Mahmud Lodhi
● Besieged powerful fort of Chunar from the Afghan sardar Sher Khan
● Battle of Chausa (near Buxar, c.1539 CE): Humayun was defeated
and Sher Khan adopted the title of Sher Shah. [U.P.R.O.(Pre) 2016]
● Battle of Bilgrama/Battle of Kannauj (c.1540 CE): Humayun
defeated by Sher Shah [U.P.B.E.O. (Pre) 2019]
Humayun ● Humayun now became prince without a kingdom and had to flee from
[1530-40 and Delhi, becoming an exile for the next 15 years (c.1540–1555 CE).
1555-56] ● In c.1555 CE, following the break-up of the Sur empire, Humayun
defeated the Afghans and recovered the Mughal throne.
● His half-sister, Gulbadan Begum, wrote Humayun-nama.
● Humayun built a new city at Delhi which he named
Dinapanah.[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]
● Constructed the Jamali mosque and mosque of Isa Khan at Delhi.
● Humayun’s tomb in Delhi is called the prototype of the Taj Mahal,
and was built by his widow Haji Begum (UNESCO site).
● Humayun invited two Persian painters, Mir Sayyid Ali and Abdus
Samad, and made them his court painters.
● Founder of Sur dynasty and also 2nd Afghan Empire (after Lodhis)
● Earlier served under Afghan governor of Bihar, Bahar Khan Lohani.
● Adopted title of Sher Shah after defeating Humayun in the Battle of
Chausa.
● He adopted a tolerant attitude towards other religions.
● He borrowed the idea of Branding of Horses from Alauddin Khilji.
Administration of Sher Shah:
● The empire was divided in sarkars
Sher Shah Suri ● Chief Shiqdar (law and order) and Chief Munsif (judge) were the
[1540-1555] two officers of the sarkars.
● He adopted system of local responsibility for law and order.
● Each sarkar was divided into several parganas.
● Shiqdar (military officer), Amil (land revenue), Fotedar (treasurer),
and Karkuns (accountants) were in charge of the administration.
● He followed the branding of horses from Alauddin Khalji and
maintained his personal royal force called Khasa Kail.
● Diwan-i- Wizarat: Also called Wazir, in charge of Revenue and
Finance

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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● Diwan-i-Ariz: In charge of the Army.

● Diwan-i-Risalat: Foreign Minister
● Diwan-i-Insha: Minister for Communications
● Diwan-i-Barid: Intelligence Department
Revenue Administration:
● His land revenue system is known as Zabti System
● Revenue officers were called Amils
● Qanungo were the officials in charge of maintaining revenue
records
● Sher Shah for the first time introduced a schedule of crop rates
(ray).
● He improved the land revenue system by adopting Zabti-i-har-sal

om
(land assessment every year)
● Sher Shah also introduced new copper coins called Dam
● He was also the first ruler to introduce silver Rupayia.

l.c
● Introduced Patta (amount each peasant had to pay) and
Qabuliyat (deed of agreement). [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009, (Pre)
ai
2008, (Mains) 2004]
● He also improved Postal System and built many sarais. Highways for
gm

communication:
● Sonargaon to Sindhu river (later called as Grand Trunk Road)
07

● Agra to Burhampur
● Jodhpur to Chittor
03

● Lahore to Multan
Art and Architecture:
ar

● He built the Purana Qila (Old Fort), Sher Mandal, an octagonal

building inside the Purana Qila complex[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]
m

● He also built Rohtas Fort (UNESCO World Heritage Site in Pakistan)

● He built a new city, Bhera of modern day Pakistan
to

● Malik Mohammad Jaysi completed his Padmavat during his reign.

av

● Abbas Khan Sarwani wrote the Tarikh-i-Shershahi.

● He built the Shahi (Royal) road from the Indus Valley to the Sonar
ur

Valley in Bengal. This road was renamed the Grand Trunk (GT) road
during the British period, connecting Calcutta and Peshawar.
ga

● The tomb of Sher Shah is an imposing brick structure partly veneered

with stone standing in the middle of a fine square tank measuring
about 305 mts. and rising above a large stone terrace.
● This tomb is located at Sasaram of Rohtas in Bihar. It is regarded as
one of the noblest specimens of Afghan architecture in India.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015, (Pre) 2002]

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 Medieval History - Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

Chapter-9
MUGHAL EMPIRE II
[AKBAR, JAHANGIR, SHAH JAHAN, AURANGAZEB]
● Son of Humayun and Hamida Banu Begum, born at Amarkot
● Bairam Khan was Akbar’s Tutor
● Bairam Khan represented Akbar in the Second battle of Panipat
(c.1556 CE) with Hemu Vikramaditya (Wazir of Mohd. Shah Adil of
Bengal)
● Battle of Haldighati (c.1576 CE): Rana Pratap was defeated by the
Mughal army led by Man Singh. [U.P.R.O. (Mains) 2016]
● Hakim Khan Sur was a descendant of Sher Shah Suri and was a general in
Maharana Pratap's army. [U.P.R.O. 2016]
● He was the commander in chief of the Rajput Army; besides Maharana
Pratap's, during the Battle of Haldighati in 1576 AD.
● He was commanding an army of Afghans during the battle.
● Akbar’s Rajput policy was combined with a broad religioustolerance.
● Akbar was not liked for his political ideology by Shaikh Ahmad
Sirhindi (Sufi leader).
● Akbar killed Adham Khan, the son of Maham Anga in 1562 as he
assassinated Akbar’s prime minister, Atgah Khan. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]
● Major Conquests:
● Malwa (1560)- From Baz Bahadur
● Chunar: From afghans
● Gondwana region(1564): From Rani Durgavati
Akbar ● Chittor (1568): from Rana Uday Singh
[1556-1605] ● Gujarat(1573): from Muzaffar Shah
● Haldighati(1576): Rana Pratap
● Bihar and Bengal(1576): From Daud Khan, the Afghan ruler
● Ahmadnagar(1597)- Chand Bibi
● Major Reforms:
● Abolition of Slavery
● Abolition of Jaziya
● Mansabdari system was introduced
● Ibadat khana was built
● Dashala system was introduced by Todarmal
Relations with Rajputs:
● He made matrimonial alliances with rajpts.
● Rajputs were in Mughal’s administration (Man Singh- Military
general)
● Akbar’s Rajput policy was combined with broad religious toleration.
● He abolished the pilgrimage tax and Jaziya.
Religious Policy:
● He was pious muslim after marrying Jodhabai, he abolished
pilgrimage tax also Jiziya.
● He allowed his Hindu wives to worship their gods
● Ordered Construction of Ibadat khana (House of worship) at Fatehpur
sikri.

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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● Hari Vijay Suri was the Jain monk who stayed for a few years in the court of
Akbar and was honoured with the title of Jagadguru. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]
● Emperor Akbar invited Hari Vijay Suri to explain the principles of Jainism.
Akbar was so much influenced by the ideology of non-violence preached by
Jain sage that he became vegetarian and prohibited slaughter of animals and
birds.
● Another Jain scholar who resided in Mughal court was Jin Chandra Suri
bestowed with the title of "Yug Pradhan" by Akbar. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains)
2002]
● He was in contact with Sufi saints.
● Akbar supported Chishti sect expressing his faith in Sufism.
● He sought the company of the religious divine saints with whom he
conversed with inborn zeal and humility.
● He frequently visited the Mausoleum of Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti at Ajmer
and the shrine of contemporary Sufi sage Shaikh Salim Chishti at Sikri.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]
● Akbar was a great ruler whose empire extended from Bengal to Afghanistan
in the north and Kashmir to the Godavari in the south.
● He was a secular emperor, and the complete authority of the empire was
vested in him. Therefore, he is considered as ‘’an enlightened despot’’ like
Queen Elizabeth of England and Frederick the Great, during whose reign all
subjects were equal before the law. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]
● Akbar had tried to fix the age of marriage for girls at 14 years & for boys at
least 16 years.
● He gave freedom to girls to marry at their own will & not under parental
pressure. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]
● He invited learned scholars from all religions.
● He opposed the interference of Ulema in political matters.
● In 1580, an Ulema, Mulla Majadi from Jaunpur issued a ‘Fatwa’ against the
Mughal emperor Akbar and asked all Muslims to rebel against the Mughal
emperor, Akbar. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]
● He promulgated a new religion called Din-I-Ilahi, in 1582.
Din-I-Ilahi:
● Akbar adopted the policy of ‘Sulh-i-kul’ (peace for all)
● United all religion, ‘Tauhid-i-Ilahi’
● Granted freedom to people of all religions
● Christain missionaries were also allowed to propagate
● He changed jagirs to Khalisa land.
● Akbar issued the coins with figures of Ram and Sita and Devanagari legend
‘Ram Siya’.
● He introduced the coins with decorative floral motifs dotted borders,
quatrefoil, and other types.
● His coins were both round and square with a unique ‘mihrab’ (lozenge)
shaped highlighting numismatics calligraphy at its best. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains)
2011]
● In the standard Mughal currency system, there were three basic coins: the
Mohur of gold, the Rupee of silver and the Daam of copper [Shahjhan
regime as well]. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019, 2019]
● During the reign of Akbar, copper was adopted both as the money of account
and the standard of value.
Land revenue System:
● It was largely based on Sher Shah’s system but with slight

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 Medieval History - Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

modifications and was called the Zabti or Bandobast system.

● Raja Todar mal introduced 'Dahsala system'- a land measurement
system. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012,U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007]
● Ain-i-Dahsala was introduced by Akbar. Raja Todarmal and Khwaja Shah
Mansoor were the main propounders of this system.
● Land was divided into 4 categories: Polaj (Cultivated every year);
Parauti (once in a year); Chachar (once in 3-4 years); Banjar (more
years)
● The land revenue system prevalent during the reign of Akbar in Deccan was
'Number of ploughs'. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]
Mansabdari system:
● Akbar introduced the Mansabdari system in his administration.
● Every officer was assigned a rank (mansab).
● Ranks were divided into- Zat and sawar.

om
● Zat indicates the fixed personal status of a person.
● Sawar indicates the number of cavalrymen required to be maintained.
●

l.c
Mansab's rank was not hereditary.
● Many Rajput mansabdars were assigned their own territories as
ai
Watan Jagir, which was hereditary and non-transferable.
Akbar’s Nine Ratna's in Court:
gm

● Abu Fazl: author of Akbarnama

o Akbarnama: [Vol. 1&2- Akbar ancestor and Akbar Reign; Vol.
3- ‘Ain-i-Akbari’ about administration, Revenue, Army system]
07

● Faizi: Translated Panchatantra, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Notable –

‘Leelawati’ in Persian [U.P. R.O.(Pre) 2016]
03

● Todar Mal: Revenue minister, he introduced standard measurements

● Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan: translated ‘Babarnama in Persian’
ar

● Akbar was fond of Music. He was a learned musician.

● He studied Hindu music under the guidance Lala Kalawant. [U.P.P.C.S.
m

(Pre) 2016]
● Tansen: great musician, innovation of Milan ki Malhar Darbari
to

Kanada Raags.
● He first served as a court musician of the King Ramchandra of Rewa (Bhata
av

Region) and then Emperor Akbar respectively. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

● His tomb is located in Gwalior near the tomb of Saint Hazrat Ghaus whose
ur

teachings influenced him to convert into Islam.

● Tansen and Swami Haridas were the leading Dhrupad singers during
ga

Akbar’s reign.
● Vilas Khan was the main singer during the reign of Jahangir.
● Swami Haridas was a spiritual poet and classical musician credited with a
large body of devotional compositions, especially in the Dhrupad style.
● He was also the founder of Haridasi school of mysticism, still found today in
North India.
● His followers built 5 worship training centres (ashrams).
● These are- Sri Banke Bihariji, Nidhivan, Temple of Gorelal, Sri Rasik Bihari
and Thatti Khana. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2009]
● Man Singh: fought Haldighati
● Mullah do Piaza: Intelligent advisor in court of Akbar
● Birbal: known as Court Jester

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 Medieval History - Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

● Faqir Aziao-Din: one of the Chief advisors of Akbar and religious

minister
Architecture
● It was in order to commemorate the victory of Gujarat that Akbar
built the Buland Darwaza at Fatehpur Sikri.
● Fatehpur sikri-Jodha Bai’s palace, the Panch Mahal
● The most magnificent building in it is the Jama Masjid and the
gateway to it called Buland Darwaza (the Lofty Gate)
● Constructed Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Aam, Sheikh Salim Chisti’s
tomb. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007]
● Akbar built Agra fort, Lahore Fort, Allahabad fort, Humayun’s
tomb. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]
Art and Literature
● Hamzanama, consisted of 1200 paintings, belonged to his reign.
● The European style of painting was introduced by Portuguese priests
in court.
● Jaswant & Daswan were famous painters in his court.
● Persian poets in his court: Abu Fazl and his brother Abul Faizi,
Tarikh Alfi, Utbi and Nazir.
● Hindi poets in his court: Tulsidas- wrote “Ramcharitmanas”.
● Akbar commissioned translation of Sanskrit works into Persian. For
this, Maktab Khana/translation bureau was also established at
Fatehpur Sikri.
● The Razmnamah is the Persian translation of the Mahabharata.
● Hitopadesha is a collection of Sanskrit fables in prose and verse.
● It was translated into Persian by "Taj-al-Din Mutli-al- Maliki" and named it
"Mufarrih-al-Qulub. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]
● His period was popularly known as the ‘Renaissance of Persian
literature’.
● Akbar Nama, written from 1590 to 1596 by Abul Fazl, one of the nine gems
of Akbar’s court. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]
● Some of the books described that it took more than 7 years (12 or 13 years)
to complete Akbar Nama.
● Maham Anaga built ‘Khairul Manzil mosque in Mughal architecture. Later,
it served as a Madarsa and now stands opposite to Purana Qila, Delhi.
● Today, it is also known as ‘Madarsa-e-Begum. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012,
Pre 2018]
● Revolted against Akbar in c.1599 CE.
● Assumed title of Nur-ud-din Mohd Jahangir (Conqueror of World)
● Married Mehrunnisa- He gave her title of Nur Jahan
● Nur Jahan was a cultured, educated, intelligent dominating lady and
ambitious wife of Mughal emperor Jahangir.
Jahangir ● Nur Jahan’s Junta consisted a group of five- herself, her mother Asmat
Begum, her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg Itmad-ud-Daula, her brother Asaf Khan
[1605-27]
and Prince Khurram (Son-in-law of her brother Asaf Khan).
● Prince Khurram (known as Shah Jahan) had been allied with Noor Jahan
through most of his father’s reign, but when she swung her support to her
son in law Shaharyar, he left her Junta and rebelled.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015]
● She encouraged Persian art and culture in the court.

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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● 5th Sikh guru, Arjun Dev, was beheaded for supporting rebel prince
Khusrau.
● Introduction of “du-aspah-sih-aspah” system. It was modification to
Mansabdari. Nobles were allowed to maintain a large number oftroops
without raising their zat ranks.
● It was the reign of Jahangir in which the ‘’Treaty of Chittor’’ was signed
between Mughals and Rana of Mewar in 1615.
● Rana accepted the allegiance of Mughal emperor and Jahangir returned
Mewar and Chittorgarh to Rana which were annexed by Mughals during the
reign of Akbar. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
o Jahangir’s eldest son Khusrau revolted against Jahangir just after the
coronation and was suppressed in 1606. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]
o The revolt of Shahzada Khurram was dismissed by the Mughal army
under Mahabat Khan in 1623.
o In 1626, Mahabat Khan revolted against Jahangir. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre)
2013]
● The British visited Machilipatnam during Jahangir’s reign. Captain
Hawkins (c.1608–11 CE) [English Khan] and Thomas Roe (met at
Ajmer) visited his court [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2013, 2015, (Mains)
2007,2008]
● Thomas Roe got the farman for setting up an English factory at
Surat.
● Francisco Pelsaert was a Dutch traveller who came to India during
Jahangir’s period. He left a unique account of Mughal empire in his text
‘’The Remonstrantie’’. [U.P. U.D.A. (Mains) 2010, Pre 2017]
● Autobiography: Tuzuk-i- Jahangiri in Persian [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre)
2001,(GIC) 2010]
● He also patronised the valuable dictionary Farhang-i-Jahangiri.
● The practice of putting up buildings in marble and decorating the walls
with floral designs made of semi-precious stones (known as Pietra
Dura) started during his reign.
● Jahangir built the Moti Masjid at Lahore.
● Also known as Khurram
● Shah Jahan’s Deccan policy was more successful, he successfully
isolated Ahmadnagar by winning over Bijapur and the Marathas
● In c.1636 CE, ahdnama (treaties) were signed with Bijapur and
Golconda.
● Adil Shah accepted the Mughal suzerainty
● In c.1632 CE, Shah Jahan defeated the Portuguese near Hughli.
● The battle of Balkh took place during the reign of Shah Jahan in 1646. [U.P.
Shah Jahan P.C.S. (Pre) 2010]
[1628-1658] ● Shah Jahan’s reign is considered the ‘The Golden age’ of the
Mughal Empire.
● His son Dara Shikoh (First Muslim) who translated the Bhagavad
Gita andUpanishads into the Persian language. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre)
2009, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2006]
● The Upanishadas were translated into the Persian language during the reign
of Shah Jahan by his son Dara Shukoh as "Sirr-i-Akbar".
● 52 Upanishadas were translated in this book.
● Lenpool named him "Little Akbar" due to his tolerance and generosity.

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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● Majma-ul-Bahrain is the original creation of Dara Shukoh.

● Shah Jahan gave him the title of "Shah Buland Iqbal". [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains)
2003]
● His reign is described by: French travellers – Bernier and
Tavernier, Italian traveller – Manucci and Peter Mundy.
● Niccolo Manucci (1653-1708 A.D.) was appointed as a doctor in the Mughal
army. He was an Italian traveller.
● He joined the army of Dara Shikoh as an artilleryman. He opted profession
of medico after the death of Dara Shikoh in 1659. [U.P.P.C.S.(Mains) 2008]
● “Shah Jahan Nama” is written by Inayat Khan.
● His court historian Abdul Hameed Lohiri wrote “Badshahnama”.
● He shifted his capital to Delhi in 1638. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2008]
● Shah Jahan was the Mughal emperor who abolished the Persian (1636-37)
court custom of Sijda which was begun by Balban.[U.P. P.C.S. (Mains)

om
2010,U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2010]
● He built:
o Taj Mahal: design prepared by Ustad Isa and Isa Muhammad

l.c
Effendi, Ismail Khan
o Moti Masjid at Agra (entirely in white marble), Sheesh Mahal and
ai
Musamman Burj at Agra, Jama Masjid at Delhi (in red stone)
o He also built Shalimar Bagh in Lahore and the city of
gm

Shahjahanabad.
o He also got Bebadal Khan to build the Peacock Throne
● Battle of Dharmat, Battle of Samugarh(c.1658 CE - fought between
07

● Aurangzeb and Dara Shikoh), Battle of Khajwah, and Battle of

Deorai(c.1659 CE -Dara fought against Aurangzeb) took place &
03

Finally Aurangzeb emerged victorious. [U.P.R.O. (Mains) 2017]

[Battle of Sarnal (Gujarat) was held during the Gujarat campaign of Akbar in
ar

1572 AD in which Akbar defeated Ibrahim Mirza. Battle of Jajau was fought
in 1707 AD between Bahadur Shah I and Muhammad Azam Shah for the
m

successor of Aurangzeb after his death.] [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]

● The coronation of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb occurred twice. His first
to

coronation was held on 31 July, 1658 in Delhi and second was held on 15
June, 1659 on the success of Devrai battle. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2009, (Mains)
av

2006]
● Aurangzeb captured Bijapur in 1686 & Golkonda in 1687.
ur

Aurangzeb ● Abul Hasan Qutb Shah was the King of Golkonda at the time of seize by
[1658-1707] Aurangzeb.
ga

● It is said that Aurangzeb opened the Fort of Golkonda using the 'keys of
gold', the same way Akbar opened the Fort of Aligarh. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre)
2020]
● Assumed title of ‘Alamgir’
● He was called Zinda Pir. [U.P.R.O.(Mains) 2017]
● Maasir-i-Alamgiri book written by Mustaid Khan throws light on
Aurangzeb’s rule.
● Aurangzeb banned music in India as he found it anti-Islamic. But it is also
the fact that during his tenure, maximum books on Indian classical music
were written in the Persian language.
● Being anti-music, he was a great instrumentalist who used to play the Indian
instrument called ‘Veena’. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2010, (Mains) 2007]
● Aurangzeb built Bibi Ka Maqbara (replica of Taj) at Aurangabad,

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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Moti Masjid (Near Red fort, Delhi) (Tomb of Rabia-ud-Daurani)

[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]
● Mehrunnisa was the daughter of Aurangzeb while Jahan Ara, Roshan Ara,
and Gauhar Ara were the daughters of Shah Jahan.
● Aurangzeb bestowed the title of ‘’Sahibat-uz-Zamani’’ to Jahan Ara. Jahan
Ara was the eldest daughter of Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]
● Samarth Ramdas was the great saint of Maharastra. He was born in 1608 and
died in 1681.
● He was the contemporary to the Mughal king Aurangzeb. Guru Ramdas, the
fourth Sikh guru, was contemporary of Akbar. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]
● Miraz Mohammad Qasim wrote “Alamgirnama”.
● He abolished Dahsala system of Akbar and introduced Izradari
System.
● Muhammad Akbar, the rebellious son, revolted against his father Aurangzeb
in 1681, weakening Aurangzeb’s position against Rajputs. [U.P.P.C.S.
(Mains) 2007]
Conquest of Deccan:
● Attempt was to recover from Bijapur the territories belonging to the
Ahmadnagar state, Led by Jai Singh, the governor of Deccan
● Aurangzeb’s efforts to contain the Marathas were not very successfulas
the tripartite alliance between Golconda, Shivaji, and Bijapur did not
allow Aurangzeb to have his way
Religious Policy:
● He was staunach and orthodox sunni Muslim
● He issued Zawabit-i- Alamgir (decrees of Aurangzeb) and appointed
Muhtasibs to enforce moral codes given under it.
● Drinking was prohibited
● Drugs were banned
● No Tolerant to other religions
● He also forbade music in the Mughal court and discontinued the
practice of Jharokha darshan
● Re-introduced Jaziya
● He executed the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, which resulted
in the rebellion of the Sikh community
● Aurangzed abolished the solar calendar and introduced Arab lunar
Calendar Initially Aurangazeb banned the construction of new Hindu
temples and repair of old temples. Then he began a policy of destroying
Hindu temples.

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 Medieval History - Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

Chapter - 10
MUGHAL ADMINISTRATION, ART AND CULTURE
Mughal Administration
1. The Mughal Empire was divided into Subas and further subdivided into Sarkar (also
known as Chakla), Parganasand Gram. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]
2. Subas (provinces): Head- Sipahsalar/ Subedar
3. Daroga-i-dak (postal officer) was appointed at every subas
4. Also other territorial units called Khalisa, Jagirs and Inams (based on ownership)
5. Jahangir introduced a new provision in the sawar rank. Part of the sawar rank was
termeddu-aspa sih-aspa in case of select mansabdars.
6. Officers of Mughal Empire:
o Wazir: Head of revenue department
o Diwan: Control on income and expenditure
o Mir Bakshi: Head of military department and intelligence agencies
o Diwan-i-Bayutat: Maintain road and constructions
o Sadr-us-Sadr: Incharge of charitable and religious endowments
o Mir-i-Arz: Officer in charge of petition
o Sadr: Judicial department
o Fauzdar: administrative head of district
o Amal: Revenue collection
o Shiqdar: administrative head of pargana
o Muallim or navigator was an employee on Indian merchant ships. He used to hold a spherical
device on the ship to identify the position of stars and the sun. It helped him to identify the
correct position of his ship. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2014]
7. Judicial system:
o Criminal court was normally known as ‘Diwan-i-Mazalim’
o In Ain-i-Akbari, details of Akbar’s judicial procedure is mentioned
o Principal court- settlement in Quazi’s court
o Capital punishments and Harsh punishments were frequent
8. Military Organisation:
o Mughal Empire was a military state. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre.) 2021]
o Soldiers supplied by Mansabdars
o Troops under mansabdar known as ‘Dakhii’
o Babur introduced Gunpowder
9. Jagirdari and Mansabdari System:
o Jagirs of Mughal period were same as Iqta of Delhi sultanate
o Assignment of Jagirdari was not a hereditary right
o Officers collecting Revenues in Jagirdars: Karkun, Amil, Fotedar
o All jagirdars were mansabdars but all mansabdars were not jagirdars
o Akbar introduced mansabdari system, to organise nobility and army. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre)
2019]
o Akbar introduced Dual rank- ‘Zat and ‘Sawar’ [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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o Mansab was based on merit and was not hereditary

10. Land Revenue Administration:
o Sher shah’s crop rate called- Dastur-ul-amal
o Todar Mal introduced a new land measurement system during Akbar’s reign -
introduced system of Dahsala or Bandobast or Zabti system
o Dashala:Average produce per bigha of each category of land was ascertained based on
past 10 years’ produce
o Polaj: Lands that could be cultivated
o Parauti: Land kept uncultivated for a while
o Chachar: uncultivated land for some years
o Karori: Office of Karori concerned with assessment and collection of revenue
o Amil: During Shah Jahan’s reign, it was responsible for assessment of revenue

om
o Qanungo: Local revenue official of pargana
o Shiqdar: under Shah Jahan, he was incharge of revenue collection and law and order
o Muqaddam and Patwari: Village level revenue officials

● Agriculture: l.c
Economy During Mughals
ai
• Mughal era Shahab (Shihab) Canal was constructed by reinvigorating Firuz Shah's canal
gm

Rajabwah. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]

● In the time of Akbar, first Shihabuddin Khan & later Nuruddin Muhamad tar reconstructed
the canal.
07

● During the time of Akbar, Governer of Delhi, Sihabuddin Khan, repaired the canal for
irrigation purposes & changed its name to Shahab Canal.
03

o Extension of land under cultivation was encouraged

o Plenty of land available for cultivation, during the reign agriculture was prosperous.
ar

o Crops: Wheat, rice, barley, gram, pulses

m

o Commercial crops: Cotton, indigo, sugarcane and oil seeds

o During the 17th century two new crops, namely Tobacco and Maize were added.
to

[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2011, 2008]

o Potato and Red chillies came in the 18th century.
av

o No agriculture techniques were available.

● Trade:
ur

o There was a well organised and highly professional system.

ga

o Bohra traders specialised in long distance trade, while local traders were known as
Banik.
o Banjaras were specialised in carrying bulk goods on the back of oxen.
o Trading community did not belong to one caste or Religion.
o Multanis, Khatris and Afghanis conducted trade with Central Asia.
o Chettis on Coromandal coast and muslim merchants of Malabar were the most
important trading communities.
o The Coromandel coast became the centre of Textile production.
o Gujarat was the entry point of Foreign goods.
o Major imports: Metals such as tin and copper, war horses and luxury items such as
ivory.

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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o Exports; Sugar, Rice, Muslin, Silk, Indigo, Foodgrains

o Balance of trade was tilted towards India because of imports of Gold and silver.
Art and Culture during Mughal period
5. Famous literature works:
o Persian was the court language of Mughals. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]
o Babur wrote: Tuzuk-i-Babari
o Gulbadan Begum [Daughter of Bbabur ]wrote: Humayunnama [U.P.P.C.S (Pre) 2004,(Mains)
2002]
o Abu fazl: Akbarnama, Ain-i-Akbari
o Badauni: Muntakhab-ul-Tawarikh (Akbar’s rule)
o The Mahabharat was translated into the Persian language named as ‘Razmnama’ with the joint effort
of Badauni, Abul Fazl, and Faizi, etc.
o Besides this, Badauni translated the ‘Ramayan,’ Faizi translated ‘‘Leelavati’’ and Abul Fazl
‘‘Kaliyadaman’’ in the Persian language. [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2013, M 2015]
o Tulisdas was the greatest Hindi poet contemporary to Akbar
o Ghalib was attached to the court of Bahadur Shah
o Poet Kaleem (Abu Jalih) became a member of the court of Shah Jahan. (UPPCS M 2015)
6. Architecture:
o Architecture were mostly of Persian influence as well as Hindu Temple architecture
o Babur built two mosques in Kabuli Bagh in panipat and Sambhal in rohilkhand
o Use of Red sandstone is quite noticeable in Akbar’s construction
o Akbar constructed Fatehpur Sikri, Lahore fort, Agra fort
o Jahangir’s reign- gardens were built such as ‘Shalimar Bagh’ and ‘Nishat bagh’ in Kashmir.
o Climax of the fort building reached its peak during the reign of Shah Jahan.
o Floral designs made of Semi precious stones on white marble called the Pietra Dura
technique of architecture started from Jahangir and were popularised by Shah Jahan.
o Shah Jahan was the greatest builder among Mughals; he made use of White marbles.
o Shah Jahan’s Famous buildings: Taj mahal, Pearl Mosque, Red Fort, Jama Masjid in Delhi
[U.P.P.S.C.(GIC) 2010, (Pre) 2002]
o Mosque building had reached to its peak during Shah jahan’s reign.
o The Moti Masjid of Agra was built entirely in White Marble .
o The Jama Masjid at Delhi was built in red stone.
o Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula is located in Agra and the tomb of Aurangzeb is situated at Khuldabad
(Aurangabad).
o The tomb of Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanan is situated in Delhi. [U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2010]
7. Paintings:
o Humayun is founder of Mughal school of painting.[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012,U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A.
(Mains) 2010,U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]
o He persuaded Khwaja abdul Samad and Mir Sayyid Ali established studio painting
o Mughal Style was a synthesis of the Indian style of painting and the Safavid school ofPersian
painting. Later European influence can also be noticed.
o The period also witnessed the flowering of portrait and miniature paintings.
o Seasons or baramasa paintings were similarly given artistic forms
o Tutinama (tales of a parrot) Painting, during Akbar times.
o Famous painters of Akbar’s school: Dasvanath, Baswan, Miskina, Daswant, Mansur etc
o Hamzanama illustrations on cloth- cloth painting
o Akbar started a separate department for paintings, the concept of Karkhana.
o Miniature paintings in an art studio established by Akbar.

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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o Use of Calligraphy for sighting techniques prevails.

o Themes of Akbar paintings are mostly fairs and Festivals.
o Mughal paintings reached their pinnacle during Jahangir.
o Jahangir started Portrait paintings
o Jahangir's paintings were in most part inspired by nature and portraits of birds, flowers and
scenery.
o Portrait of Jahangir is a typical example of miniature painting during the period of Jahangi
o The Mughal painting reached its zenith under the reign of Jahangir. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
o Earlier, the paintings were concerned with the contents of manuscripts, but Jahangir freed it from
this bondage. Farrukh Beg, Daulat, Mansoor, Abul Hasan, etc. were such painter who had inscribed
their name in a golden word in the history of Mughal painting with their talent.
o Bishan Das, Aqa Riza, Muhammad Nadir, Muhammad Murad, Manohar, Govardhan were other the
main artists of Jahangir period. Mir Sayyid Ali and Abdus Samad laid the foundation of the Mughal
painting during the period of Humayun. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]
o Ustad Mansoor and Abul Hassan was an excellent painter of Jahangir’s reign.
o Emperor Jahangir bestowed both Nadir-ul- Asra (Ustad Mansoor) and Nadir-ul-Zaman (Abul
Hassan). Ustad Mansoor was specialized in depicting plants and animal while Abul Hassan was a
portrait artist. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013,2014]

Cause of decline of Mughal empire

● Aurangzeb's religious fanaticism
● Over-expansion of empire (difficult to administer)
● Weak successors (from Bahadur Shah I to Shah Alam II)[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]
● Later Mughals have lacked commitment and motivation
● Degeneration of the Mughal Nobility
● Demoralisation of the Mughal Army
● Economic Bankruptcy(Shah Jahan’s zeal for construction had depleted the treasury)
● Foreign invasions (Nadir Shah and Ahmad Shah Abdali)
● Aurangzeb’s Deccan Policy
● Jagirdari Crisis

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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Chapter-11
THE MARATHAS
Shivaji Raje Bhonsle (c.1674–1680 CE) (U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015)
● Founder of Maratha empire: Known as ‘Swarajya’
● Shivaji was greatly influenced by: Jijabai (his mother), Dadaji Kondev (his teacher), Sufi saint
Pir Shaikh Yacub, Guru Ramdas, Tukaram (Bhakti Saint), Hazrat Baba of Ratnagiri
● Conquered many Forts: Singh Garh/ Kondana (1643), Rohind and Chakan (1644- 45), Toran
(1646), Purandhar (1648), Rajgarh/ Raigarh (1656), Supa (1656), Panhala (1659).
● Captured Javli from a Maratha chief named Chanda Rao More.
● He also raided a Portuguese settlement at Daman and received tribute from them.

om
● Battle of Pratapgarh (c.1659 CE): Fought between Afzal Khan (represented Adil Shahof
Bijapur) and Shivaji [U.P.R.O./ A.R.O. (Mains) 2016]
● Battle of Kolhapur: Fought between General Rustemjaman (represented by Adil Shahof
Bijapur) and Shivaji.
l.c
● Battle of Pavankhind (c.1660 CE): Fought between Siddi Johar (represented by AdilShah of
ai
Bijapur) and Shivaji.
gm

● Struggle with Aurangzeb: In 1660 CE, Aurangzeb sent the Mughal governor of the Deccan,
Shaista Khan, against Shivaji. Shivaji was defeated by Shaista Khan. Later He made a bold attack
on Shaista Khan’s military camp at Poona in 1663 & wounded him.
07

● Treaty of Purander was signed in c.1665 CE: between Shivaji and Raja Jai singh (Shivaji agreed
03

to meet Aurangzeb) [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2011,U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A (Pre) 2010 U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A (Mains)

2010 ,U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009, 2008]
● Battle of Salher: Defeated Mughals in Battle of Salher (1672). He was crowned & assumed the
ar

title Maharaja Chhatrapati in 1674 at Raigad fort. [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005,U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2016]
m

Salient features of Empire

to

● Helped by Ashtapradhan (council of 8 ministers) [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains)

2013]
av

● Peshwa: Finance and General administration

● Majumdar (Amaty): Revenue and Finance minister
ur

● Waqia-navis (Mantri): Home minister

ga

Administration ● Dabir (Sumant): Foreign Minister

● Suranavis (Sachiv): Head of Royal correspondence
● Pandit Rao: religious Affairs
● Sar-i-Naubat (Senapati): Military Commander
● Nyayadhish: Justice
● Division of Swaraj in number of ‘Prants’
● Prants (Province)= Subedar supervised by Sarsubedar
𝖴
Provincial ● Tarfs (Districts)= Havaldar (law and order)
Administration 𝖴
● Parganas (sub-districts) = Deshpande (Account and record keeper) a

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 Medieval History - Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

Deshmukh (law and order)

𝖴
● Mauzas (Village) = Kulkarni (Account and record keeper) and Patil (law
aorder).
● The revenue system was based on that of Malik Amber of Ahmadnagar.
● Lands were measured by using a rod called ‘kathi’.
● He drastically reduced the powers of the existing Deshmukhs and
Kulkarand appointed his own revenue officials called karkuns
Revenue ● Chauth: 1/4th of land revenue of land paid to Marathas so that it would
nbe subjected to Maratha raids. [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2018]
● Sardeshmukhi: Additional levy of 10% on those land of Maharashtra
ovwhich Maratha claim Hereditary rights
● Lari, Rupaya & Taka were silver coins during the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
[U.P.R.O./ A.R.O. (Mains) 2016]
● Payment of soldiers in cash
● Recruited soldiers on merit in infantry, calvary and navy
Military ● Calvary was supervised by havildars.
Administration ● Two divisions of Maratha cavalry- 1. Bargirs: equipped and paid by
stand 2. Silahdars: maintained by the nobles.
● Guerrilla Warfare was the Uniqueness of his military expeditions

Factors that enabled the Rise of Maratha Rule

● Political conditions: Mughal Invasion in Deccan and ensuing socio-economic backwardness was
the primary reason for discontent in the region which created conditions ripe for a rebellion.
o Waning Mughal strength after the death of Aurangzeb
o Factionalism within Mughal courts
o Divisions within Mughal nobility
o Inept successors.
● Favourable physical environment: Presence of mountainous regions and dense forests helped
Marathas to adopt guerrilla tactics. This also provided a strong defence against Invaders.
● Impregnable forts: Building of a number of forts on the mountains provided them stronger defence
which they used to their advantage against Mughal attacks and this enabled the rise of Marathas.
● Maratha Nationalism: The seeds of nationalism were sowed through a call for social unity raised
during the Bhakti movement by leaders like Tukaram, Ramdas, Vaman Pandit and Eknath. This
helped in unification of the Maratha Empire.
● Able leadership of Peshwas

Succesors of Shivaji:
● Sambhaji (1680-89): Son of Shivaji; Provided protection to Akbar II son of Aurangzeb; In 1687,
at the Battle of Wai he defeated Mughal forces; In 1689, Sambhaji was captured, tortured and
executed by the Mughals.
● Rajaram (1689-1700): He made Jinji as his capital; created the new post of Pratinidhi, thus taking
the total number of the minister to nine
● Tarabai (1700-07): Rajaram was succeeded by his minor son Shivaji II under guardianship of his
mother Tarabai. [U.P. R.O. (Mains) 2013,U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008, 2012]

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 Medieval History - Common GS
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● Shahu (1707-1749):Tarabai’s army was defeated by Shahu in the Battle of khed, and Shahu
occupied Satara.
● Shahu’s reign saw the rise of the Peshwas and transformation of the Maratha kingdom into principle
confederacy.
o Scindia- Gwalior
o Holkar- Indore
o Pawar- Dhar
o Gaekwad- Baroda
o Bhonsale- Nagpur
o Peshwa- Poona

Office of the Peshwa (c.1640–1818 CE)

Moropant Trimbak
● Was appointed Peshwa by Chhatrapati Shivaji
Pingle (c.1657–1683)
Moreshwar Pingalem
● Was Peshwa under Sambhaji
(c.1683–1689 CE)
● He is known in history for making the post of the Peshwa
hereditary
● Helped Shahu become the Maratha ruler by seeking the supportof
Balaji VishwanathBhatt all Maratha leaders for Shahu
(c.1713–1719 CE) ● He got certain rights from the then Mughal Emperor, Farrukh
Siyar, such as the recognition of Shahu as the Maratha king and
the permission to collect chauth and sardeshmukhi
● Assisted Saiyyad brothers in dethroning Farrukh Siyar from Delhi
● He was the most famous of all nine Peshwas and also known as
“Thorale”, meaning ‘Elder’ Baji Rao.
Baji Rao I ● He was the greatest exponent of guerrilla tactics after Shivaji.
(c.1720–1740 CE) ● He preached and popularised the idea of Hindu-padpadshahi
● In c.1722 CE, he captured Salsette and Bassein from the
Portuguese.

● Appointed as Peshwa by Shahuji.

● Peshwa entered into an agreement with the Mughal Emperor in
Balaji Baji Rao I/Nana c.1752 CE
Sahib I (c.1740–61 CE) ● Third Battle of Panipat (c.1761 CE) when Ahmad Shah Abdali
invaded India, in which the Marathas were defeated [U.P.P.C.S.
(Mains) 2007] [U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2012, 2006]
● He defeated Nizam, compelled Haidar Ali of Mysore to pay
tribute.
Madhav Rao
● Saw the division of the Maratha kingdom into semi- independent
(c.1761–1772 CE)
states. Of these, the most important were the Gaekwads
(Gaekwars), the Holkars, and the Scindias.
● There ensued a struggle for power between Raghunath Rao
Raghunath Rao (younger brother of Balaji Baji Rao) and Narayan Rao (younger
(c.1772–1773 CE) brother of Madhav Rao).

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 Medieval History - Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

Narayan Rao
● He was murdered on the orders of Raghunath Rao.
(c.1772–1773 CE)
● Son of Narayan Rao, who was just 40 days old when crowned as
the Peshwa.
● The empire was managed by Nana Phadnavis, an able
administrator and a great warrior, with the help of the Barbhai
Council (a twelve-member regency council).
● Raghunath Rao sought the help of the British which led to the
Sawai Madhav Rao
First Anglo-Maratha War (c. 1775 – 1782 CE). Nana Phadnavis
(c.1774–1795 CE)
defeated the British at the Battle of Talegaon (c. 1776 CE) and
then the famous treaty of Purandar (c. 1776 CE) and the treaty of
Salbai (c. 1782 CE) were signed.
● In c. 1800 CE, Nana Phadnavis died and thereafter, Marathas

om
could not sustain the British and could not restore their past glory.

l.c
● Son of Raghunath Rao and the last Peshwa.
● In c. 1802 CE, he signed the treaty of Bassein with the British
ai
which allowed the British to take control over the Maratharegion
and also of Deccan and western India.
gm

Baji Rao II ● In the Third Anglo-Maratha War (c. 1818 CE), he was defeated
(c.1796–1818 CE) by the East India Company and the Peshwa’s territory in central
07

Maharashtra was annexed to the British East India company’s

Bombay province.
03

● His adopted son Nana Sahib (Dhondu Pant) participated in the

famous revolt of c. 1857 CE against the British.
ar

Anglo-Maratha Wars
m

● There were three wars fought between the Maratha Empire and the British East India Company
over territory
to

● Struggle of Power between Sawai Madhav Rao and Raghunath

av

Rao was supported by the British and resulted in the FirstAnglo-

First Anglo- Maratha Maratha War.
ur

War (1775–1782) ● The treaty of Salbai in May, 1782 – British acknowledged

Madhavrao as the Peshwa of the Maratha Empire and ended the
ga

Anglo-Maratha War.
● The second war was caused by the peshwa Baji Rao II defeat by
the Holkar (one of the leading Maratha clans) and his acceptance
Second Anglo-Maratha
subsidiary alliance (Treaty of Bassein) in 1802.
War (1803–05)
● Unhappy Maratha confederacy challenged the Britishers but got
defeated.

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 Medieval History - Common GS
(Notes Code 1.4 Part 2)

● Distressed By low income Pindaris made up of many castesand

started plundering neighbouring territories, including those of
companies.
Third Anglo-Maratha ● Lord Hasting (Governor General) charged Marathas with giving
War (1817-1818) shelter to the Pindaris and hence fought the war.
● Maratha warlords fought separately instead of forming a common
front and they surrendered one by one.

Causes for the downfall of Maratha Empire

● Military Losses(Third Battle of Panipat, 1761)
● Political division among Maratha Sardars(Bhonsle, Holkar etc-lacked unity and foughtwith
one another)
● Weak Revenue Administration(failed to develop an efficient system of revenue
administration)
● Weak Diplomacy (No far-sighted statesmanship or effective strategy; failed to cultivate
alliances)
● Military expansion minus consolidation( Marathas did not consolidate themselves in thevast
areas in northern and central India) No Progressivism (administration was along the lines of their
predecessors).

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