Sources of Medieval History

Medieval Indian history is reconstructed through court chronicles, inscriptions, coins, monuments, regional literature, and foreign travellers’ accounts.

• Al-Biruni: Author of Kitab-ul-Hind.
• Ibn Battuta: Author of the Rihla.
• Abul Fazl: Author of Akbarnama and Ain-i-Akbari.
• Forts, mosques, temples, tombs, palaces, and coins provide valuable evidence.

Rajput Kingdoms

Several Rajput clans ruled different regions of northern and western India during the early medieval period.

• Chauhans: Associated with Ajmer and Delhi; Prithviraj Chauhan was a prominent ruler.
• Paramaras: Ruled Malwa; Raja Bhoja was an important ruler.
• Chandelas: Associated with the Khajuraho temples.
• Gahadavalas: Ruled parts of the Ganga valley, including Kannauj.

Battles of Tarain

• The First Battle of Tarain was fought in 1191 between Prithviraj Chauhan and Muhammad Ghori.
• The Second Battle of Tarain was fought in 1192 and resulted in Muhammad Ghori’s victory.

Delhi Sultanate

The Delhi Sultanate consisted of five major dynasties that ruled large parts of northern India from 1206 to 1526.

Slave Dynasty

The Slave Dynasty, also known as the Mamluk Dynasty, was the first dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.

• Qutbuddin Aibak: Founder of the Delhi Sultanate; began the construction of the Qutub Minar.
• Iltutmish: Consolidated the Sultanate and strengthened its administration.
• Razia Sultan: The first and only woman to rule Delhi as a Sultan.
• Balban: Strengthened royal authority and the theory of kingship.

Khilji Dynasty

The Khilji Dynasty ruled Delhi from 1290 to 1320 and is known for military expansion and administrative reforms.

Alauddin Khilji

• Expanded the Sultanate into Gujarat, Rajasthan, the Deccan, and southern India.
• Introduced market-control measures to regulate prices.
• Maintained a large standing army.
• Malik Kafur led important southern campaigns.
• The Alai Darwaza was built during his reign.

Tughlaq Dynasty

The Tughlaq Dynasty ruled Delhi from 1320 to 1414.

Muhammad bin Tughlaq

• Transferred the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and later shifted it back.
• Introduced token currency.
• Experimented with taxation in the Doab region.

Firoz Shah Tughlaq

• Focused on canals, irrigation works, gardens, towns, and public buildings.
• Supported the construction and repair of monuments.

Sayyid and Lodi Dynasties

• Sayyid Dynasty: Founded by Khizr Khan; ruled Delhi from 1414 to 1451.
• Bahlul Lodi: Founder of the Lodi Dynasty.
• Sikandar Lodi: Associated with the foundation of Agra in 1504.
• Ibrahim Lodi: Defeated by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.

Bhakti Movement

The Bhakti Movement emphasised personal devotion and often challenged rigid social and religious distinctions.

• Kabir: Criticised empty rituals and emphasised spiritual unity.
• Guru Nanak: Founder of Sikhism.
• Mirabai: Famous for her devotion to Lord Krishna.
• Tulsidas: Author of Ramcharitmanas.
• Chaitanya Mahaprabhu: Promoted devotion to Krishna.
• Namdev and Tukaram: Important devotional saints of Maharashtra.

Sufi Movement

Sufism emphasised spiritual discipline, love, humility, devotion, and closeness to God.

• Chishti Order: Associated with Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer.
• Suhrawardi Order: Important in regions such as Multan.
• Qadiri Order: Spread across several parts of the subcontinent.
• Naqshbandi Order: Became influential during the Mughal period.

Vijayanagara Empire

The Vijayanagara Empire was founded in 1336 by Harihara and Bukka. Its capital was located at Hampi in present-day Karnataka.

• It became a major political and cultural power in southern India.
• Krishnadevaraya was one of its most celebrated rulers.
• The empire supported temples, irrigation, trade, literature, and architecture.
• The Battle of Talikota in 1565 weakened the empire significantly.
• Krishnadevaraya wrote Amuktamalyada in Telugu according to traditional attribution.

Bahmani Kingdom

The Bahmani Kingdom was established in the Deccan in 1347 by Alauddin Bahman Shah.

• Its early capital was Gulbarga, later shifted to Bidar.
• It competed with the Vijayanagara Empire for control of the Deccan.
• Mahmud Gawan was an important minister and administrator.
• Several Deccan Sultanates emerged after its decline.

Mughal Empire

The Mughal Empire was founded by Babur after his victory in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.

Sher Shah Suri

• Defeated Humayun and established the Sur Empire.
• Improved roads and revenue administration.
• Is associated with the development of the Grand Trunk Road.
• Introduced important currency and administrative reforms.

Marathas and Shivaji

Shivaji established an influential Maratha state in western India during the seventeenth century.

• He built a strong kingdom based on forts and effective administration.
• He was crowned at Raigad in 1674.
• He organised the council of eight ministers called the Ashtapradhan.
• He used guerrilla warfare effectively.

Medieval Art and Culture

• Indo-Islamic architecture developed through the interaction of Indian and Islamic traditions.
• Important monuments include the Qutub Minar, Alai Darwaza, Humayun’s Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri, and the Taj Mahal.
• Persian became an important administrative language in several courts.
• Regional languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, and Punjabi developed rich literary traditions.
• Mughal miniature painting developed significantly under imperial patronage.
• Bhakti and Sufi traditions influenced devotional music and poetry.

Quick Revision: Important Medieval History Facts

Frequently Asked Questions