Reshaping India’s Political Map
Medieval Period in India
- Time: 11th to 17th centuries, called ‘medieval’ (between two ages).
- Not a “dark age” like Europe; India had invasions, new kingdoms, cultural growth.
- Use timelines and maps to track dates and places.
Timeline of Key Events
1206: Delhi Sultanate begins.
1326: Mewar Kingdom re-established.
1336: Vijayanagara Empire starts.
1347: Bahmani Sultanate begins.
1398: Timur attacks Delhi.
1498: Portuguese arrive in India.
1526: First Battle of Panipat – Babur wins, Mughal Empire starts.
1556: Second Battle of Panipat – Akbar wins.
1565: Battle of Talikota – Vijayanagara loses.
1576: Battle of Haldighati – Maharana Pratap fights Mughals.
1671: Battle of Saraighat – Ahoms defeat Mughals.
1699: Khalsa formed by Guru Gobind Singh.
1754: Marathas control Delhi.
1799: Sikh Empire begins.
Invasions and New Era
- From 11th century, Central Asian (Turkic/Afghan) invaders came via Hindu Kush.
- Wanted India’s riches, land, and to spread religion (often by force).
- Changed political map: old kingdoms fell, new ones rose.
- Turkic: People, languages, cultures from Central Asia to Turkey.
Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526)
Started after Prithviraj Chauhan’s defeat (1192).
Five dynasties: Mamluks (Slave), Khiljis, Tughlaqs, Sayyids, Lodis (Turkic-Afghan).
Delhi became key in north India.
Features:
- Unstable rule: Sultans often killed predecessors (averageទ
- average rule: 9 years).
- Military raids on villages, cities, temples for wealth.
- Expanded but faced resistance from Eastern Gangas, Hoysalas.
Key Rulers:
1. Ala-ud-din Khilji: Conquered north/central India, repelled Mongols, called himself “second Alexander.” General Malik Kafur attacked south.
2. Muhammad bin Tughlaq: Unified most of India (like Mauryas). Bad moves: shifted capital to Daulatabad and back (caused deaths); token currency caused economic chaos.
Economy and Society:
- Sultans lived in luxury from plunder, taxes, slave trade.
- Destroyed temples for loot and iconoclasm (breaking religious images).
- Jizya tax on non-Muslims (for protection, often humiliating).
End: Timur’s attack (1398) ruined Delhi. Lodis last dynasty; empire shrank due to resistance.
Resistance to Delhi Sultanate
1. Eastern Ganga Kingdom (Odisha, Bengal, Andhra): Narasimhadeva I repelled attacks, built Konark Sun Temple.
2.Musunuri Nayakas (Telugu chiefs): United 75 leaders, defeated Delhi Sultanate in Warangal (1330-36).
3.Hoysalas (Karnataka): Fought off attacks but later absorbed into Vijayanagara Empire.
4.Bahmani Sultanate (Deccan): Broke away in 1347, rival to Vijayanagara.
5.Rana Kumbha (Mewar): Built Kumbhalgarh Fort, resisted Sultanates.
Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1640s)
Founded by Harihara and Bukka in Hampi (Karnataka) after rejecting Delhi’s rule.
Grew strong in south India, rival to Bahmani Sultanate.
Krishnadevaraya (16th century): Peak of empire; military and cultural growth. Patronized poets, scholars, temples (e.g., Tirupati, Vitthala). Wrote Telugu epic Āmuktamalyada.
Foreign travelers (e.g., Portuguese) described Vijayanagara as wealthy, grand.
Battle of Talikota (1565): Deccan Sultanates defeated Vijayanagara, city destroyed, empire fragmented.
Mughal Empire (1526-19th century)
1. Babur: Won First Battle of Panipat (1526), ended Delhi Sultanate, started Mughal Empire. Used gunpowder, artillery. Loved poetry, architecture but was brutal (e.g., towers of skulls).
2.Humayun: Struggled to keep empire; lost to Sher Shah Suri, later regained control.
3.Akbar: Became emperor at 13 (1556). Brutal early (e.g., Chittorgarh massacre), later tolerant: abolished jizya, promoted sulh-i-kul (peace with all), married Rajput princesses, translated Sanskrit texts (e.g., Mahābhārata). Long reign (1556-1605).
4.Jahangir: Loved art, architecture, expanded into Deccan.
5.Shah Jahan: Built Taj Mahal, Red Forts, Humayun’s Tomb. Arts flourished.
6.Aurangzeb: Seized throne (1658), killed brothers, imprisoned Shah Jahan. Expanded empire but faced rebellions. Reimposed jizya, destroyed temples (e.g., Varanasi, Mathura). Died 1707; empire declined.
7.Mansabdari system: Officers (mansabdars) maintained troops, elephants, horses, paid with land (jagirs).
8.Todar Mal: Akbar’s finance minister, introduced efficient land revenue system.
Resistance to Mughals
Jat Peasantry: Rebelled against harsh taxes, fought Mughals but were suppressed.
Tribal Groups (e.g., Bhils, Gonds): Resisted annexation, some stayed independent.
Rani Durgavati (Garha): Fought Akbar’s forces bravely, died in battle (1564).
Rajputs:
- Rana Sanga: Unified clans, lost to Babur at Khanwa (1527).
- Maharana Pratap: Fought at Haldighati (1576), used guerrilla warfare with Bhil support.
- Durga Das Rathore (Marwar): Resisted Aurangzeb.
Ahoms (Assam): Used paik system (men served state for land). Defeated Mughals at Saraighat (1671) using terrain knowledge.
Sikhs:
- Guru Nanak: Founded Sikhism (equality, compassion).
- Guru Arjan: Tortured to death by Jahangir.
- Guru Tegh Bahadur: Beheaded by Aurangzeb (1675) for refusing to convert.
- Guru Gobind Singh: Formed Khalsa (1699), fought Mughals.
- Maharaja Ranjit Singh: Unified Sikh confederacies, built Sikh Empire (1799).
Administration
1. Delhi Sultanate:
- Sultan had absolute power, aided by ministers.
- Iqta system: Nobles (iqtadars) collected taxes for army, not hereditary.
- Heavy taxes on peasants, often cruel.
2. Mughal Empire:
- Akbar’s system: Diwan (finance), Mir Bakhshi (military), Khan-i-Saman (public works), Sadr (justice, religion).
- Divided into 12 provinces (subahs) with checks and balances.
- Village self-governance continued.
- Mansabdari system: Officers maintained troops, paid with jagirs.
- Todar Mal’s revenue system: Surveyed crops, land for fair taxes.
People’s Lives
Economy: Based on agriculture, crafts, trade. India was wealthy but unequal.
Agriculture: Mainstay; land revenue 1/5 to 1/2 of produce. Irrigation boosted crops (rice, wheat, cotton). Famines occurred.
Crafts: Textiles, weapons, jewelry, ship-building.
Trade: Exported via ports (e.g., Calicut, Surat). Imported silk, horses. Hundi system: Safe money transfer without currency.
Temples: Centers for worship, markets, credit, infrastructure (e.g., irrigation, pilgrim shelters).
Economic Stress (late 1600s): Peasants lost land, became bonded laborers. Wealth with rulers, merchants.
Society: Frequent wars displaced people. Clashes over sacred sites, but most communities lived peacefully.
Culture: Arts, architecture, music flourished. Shared heritage from diverse traditions.
Key Dynasties
1. Delhi Sultanate / Mughal Empire
2.Sikhs
3.Rajputs
4.Bahmani Sultanate
5.Hoysalas / Vijayanagara Empire
6.Ahoms
7.Eastern Ganga Kingdom
8.Gajapati Kingdom
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