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MEDIEVAL
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HISTORY

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 MEDIEVAL INDIA

Muslim Invasion in India

During the early medieval period, there was no single prominent ruler. India was actually ruled by more than
hundred rulers. Then happened Islamic invasion and most important of them was Muhammad of Ghori. He
invaded India in 1175 AD. After the conquest of Multan and Punjab, he advanced towards Delhi. Here he fought
with Rajput rulers.
1. First Battle of Tarain (1191 AD): Ghori was defeated in this battle by Prithvi Raj Chauhan
2. Second Battle of Tarain (1192 AD): Prithvi Raj Chauhan was defeated in this battle by Ghori.
And 2nd battle of Tarain laid the foundation of Islamic rule in India. After the death of Muhammad Ghori in 1206,
Delhi region came under the control of his trusted general, Qutub-ud-din Aibak (who was earlier a Turkish
slave) and from 1206 starts Slave Dynasty.
DELHI SULTANATE
Delhi Sultanate includes, the rule of 5 important dynasties; Slave dynasty, Khilji dynasty, Tughlaq dynasty,
Sayyid dynasty, Sayyid dynasty, Lodhi dynasty.

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Slave Dynasty/ Mamluk Dynasty
After the death of Muhammad Ghori, Delhi came under the control of his general Qutub-ud-din Aibak, and thus
started the rule of the Slave Dynasty in India. Aibak ruled from his capital Lahore. He was a great builder and
started the construction of Qutub Minar. But in 1210 AD, he died of injuries received in a polo match and it was
Iltutmish who completed Qutub Minar.
Iltutmish was the real founder of Slave Dynasty. He was a great expansionist and consolidated territories. He
ruled from Delhi and successfully protected Delhi during the Mongol invasion under Genghis Khan. He set up a
group of forty nobles known as Chalisa or Turkan-i-Chihalgani. After Iltutmish, Razia Sultana, was the next
main ruler. Later Nasir-ud-din Mahmud became Sultan. But during his tenure, the main power remained in
the hands of Balban.
After the death of Mahmud, Balban took over and consolidated the administrative set up of the empire and
completed the work started by Iltutmish. Slave dynasty rulers conquered southern territories, but never
crossed Vindhyan range. Last of Slave Dynasty ruler was killed by Jalal-ud-din Khilji.

Qutub-ud-din Aibak (1206-10)

• He was also known as Lakh baksh, because of his
generosity
• Built Qutub Minar, in the memory of Khwaja Qutub-ud-
din Bhaktiyar Kaki
• Constructed two famous mosques: Quwat-ul-Islam at
Delhi and Adhai-din-ka-Jhonpra at Ajmer

Shams-ud-din Iltutmish (1211-36)

• Introduced ‘Iqta system’
• Introduced two types of coins: Tanka and Jital

Razia Begum/ Razia Sultana (1236-40)

• First and Only Muslim lady ruler who ever adorned the
throne of Delhi

Ghiyas-ud-din Balban (1266-86)

• Proposed the Divine theory of Kingship
• Abolished Turkan-i-Chihalgani
• Took the title of Zil-i-Ilahi (Shadow of God)
• Introduced Sijda (Prostration before the monarch)
and Paibos (Kissing the feet of monarch)

Khilji Dynasty
Jalal-ud-din Khilji, the founder of Khilji Dynasty was a weak ruler
and he adopted a lenient policy towards Mongol.
But his successor Ala-ud-din Khilji was an expansionist and during
his time, empire expanded both northward and southward. He
defeated Yadava Dynasty rule and crossed Vidhyan range. Mongols
(who tried to invade India) were successfully repulsed. After his
death, the other rulers were inefficient and Khilji dynasty came to an
end by 1320

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 Ala-ud-din Khilji(1296-1316 AD)
• Separated religion from politics and proclaimed “Kingship knows no kinship”
• Constructed ‘Alai Darwaja’, the entrance gate of Qutub Minar and built the palace, Hazar Situn

Tughlaq Dynasty
After the death of Ala-ud-din Khilji, Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq ascended the throne and founded the Tughlaq
dynasty. Ghiyas-ud-din expanded his territory south upto Madurai and also decided to annex Gujrat and Bengal,
which became independent during the decline of Khiljis. But in an accident Ghiyas-ud-din died and his son
Muhammad-bin Tughlaq became the next ruler.
Muhammad Bin Tughlaq was well educated and introduced many welfare measures but they just remained
as experiments (failed experiments). He shifted his capital from Delhi to Devagiri, and renamed it as
Dauladabad. During the second half of his rule, revolt started at different parts of the empire and finally
resulted in the disintegration of Tughlaq dynasty.
Firoz Shah Tughlaq was the most famous of last Tughlaq rulers. He did not try to expand his territory, but was
involved in the welfare activities. After his death Tughlaq dynasty virtually came to an end. During the last days
of Tughlaq, Timur invaded India and captured Delhi. He appointed Khizr Khan Sayyid to administer these areas
and thus started Sayyid Dynasty in India.

Muhammad-bin Tughlaq
• His real name was Jauna Khan
• Transfer of capital from Delhi to Dauladabad and
then back to Delhi
• Qarachil and Khurasan were very famous
expeditions of Jauna Khan
• Separate department for agriculture known as
Diwan-i-kohi was created
• Introduced token currency by replacing silver by
bronze due to global shortage of silver
• Ibn Battuta (Moroccan traveller) visited during
his reign

Firoz Shah Tughlaq

• Built cities of Kotla, Hissar, and Ferozabad
• A new department, Diwan-i-Khairat was set up.

Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1450 AD)

First ruler was Khizr Khan Sayyid. Sayyids ruled for 37 years
and the last ruler, Ala-ud-din Alam Shah gave power to Bahlul
Lodhi.
Lodhi Dynasty (1451-1526)
Lodhis were the 1st Afghan rulers in India. Their 1st ruler,
Bahlul Lodhi introduced the Afghan theory of Kingship
(king is just like other ministers but prime one) and gave huge
respect to nobles. But later rulers, Sikander Lodhi and
Ibrahim Lodhi rejected Afghan theory of kingship, and tried
to control nobles.

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Nobles conspired against Ibrahim Lodhi and invited Babar to invade India. Ibrahim Khan Lodhi was killed by
Babar in 1526 during 1st battle of Panipat

Sikander Lodhi (1489-1517 AD)

• Shifted his capital from Delhi to Agra
• Introduced a new system of land measurement, called Gaz-i-sikandari (Sikander’s yard)

Sultanate Architecture Amir Khusrau:

Kuwwatul-Islam Delhi • He was a Persian poet and
Qutub-ud-din Aibak Dhai Din Ka Jhopara he had associated with
Kutbminar-Ajmer Delhi many Delhi Sultanate rulers
Siri Fort during 1253-1325. He was a
Mahal- Hazari-I Sitoon very versatile person, he
Ala-ud-din Khilji
Alai -Darwaza
was a soldier, diplomat,
Alai Minar
shrewd in court matters
Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq Tuglaqabad (Fort city)
and a great poet in Persian,
Muhammad-bin Jahan- Panah (Fort city)
Arabic, and Urdu.
Tughlaq Sat Pullia
Firoz Shah Kotla
• He is also known as Tuti-i-
Jamima Masjid
Firoz Shah Tughlaq Hind or the ‘Parrot of India’
Kusak-i- Sikar
Recinstructed Hauz-I –Khas and Katbminar
Sikander Lodhi Founded Agra • His major works include,
Old Fort Tarikh-i-Alai, Khamsah,
Sher Shah Suri Qila-i- Kuhng Tughlaqnama, and
Sher Shah’s Torib - Sasaram Miftahul Futuh

Chand Bardai Prithviraj Raso

Literature
Sultanate

Qanun-i-Maudis Feroz Shah Tughlaq

Literature

Futuhat-i-Firozshahi
Sultanate

Al Beruni
Jawahir fil-Jawahir Hasan Nizami Tajul Maasir
Kitab-ul-Hind Minhas-us-Siraj Tabaqat-i-Nasiri
Ibn-Batuta Malik Muhammad
Kitab-ul-Rehla Jayasi Padmavat

MUGHAL EMPIRE
Zahiruddin Muhammad Babur (1526–1530):

Battle of Khanwa, 1527: Babur decided to take on Rana Sanga of Chittor, who as ruler of Mewar, had a strong
influence over Rajasthan and Malwa. Babur selected Khanwa, near Agra, as a favourable site for this inevitable
encounter. With strategic positioning of forces and effective use of artillery, Babur defeated Rana Sanga’s forces.

First Battle of Panipat, 21 April 1526: Babur then turned towards the Lodigoverned Punjab. After several
invasions, he defeated the formidable forces of Ibrahim Lodi with a numerically inferior army at Panipat.

Babur, the founder of Mughal Empire, was a scholar of Persian and Arabic. Babur’s memoirs Tuziuk-i-Baburi
(Baburnama) is considered a world classic.

Humayun (1530-1540 & 1555-1556):

Battle of Chausa (1539): This battle was won by Sher Khan due to his superior political and military skills.
Humayun suffered a defeat in which 7000 Mughal nobles and soldiers were killed and Humayun himself had to
flee.

Battle of Kanauj (1540): This battle was won by Sher Khan and Humayun’s army was completely routed, and
he became a prince without a kingdom.

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Sher Shah and Sur Dynasty:

• From the time Humayun abandoned the throne in the Battle of Kanauj to his regaining of power in 1555
Delhi was ruled by Sher Shah of the Sur Dynasty.

• Born in the family of a Jagirdar and named as Farid, he received the title of Sher Khan after killing a tiger
(sher in Hindi). When he ascended the throne, he was called Sher Shah.

• Through his ability and efficiency, he emerged as the chief of Afghans in India

• Sher Shah was succeeded by his second son Islam Shah who ruled till 1553. His death at a young age led
to a state of confusion about succession. Humayun used this opportunity to regain Delhi and Agra from the Sur
rulers.

Emperor Akbar (1556–1605):

At the age of 13 years, Akbar became the Mughal emperor. For the initial few years, Maham Anga helped him in
administration and this is known as Petticoat Government, but later started ruling all by himself. Akbar was
known for four of his great policies.
1. Religious Policy:-
➢ Respected all religion and abolished Jizya, a tax imposed on non-Muslims.
➢ In 1572 he also constructed Ibadat Khana, at Fatehpur Sikri, for religious discussions.
➢ Proclaimed Din-i-Ilahi in 1582
2. Rajput Policy:-
➢ Through discussions he solved problems with Rajput.
➢ Some of them even entered in matrimonial alliance.
3. Expansionist Policy-
➢ From 1556-1605, he was continuously involved in territorial expansion.
4. Administration:-
➢ Considered as the real founder of Mughal administration, Art, Culture etc.
➢ Introduced Jagirdari system - collection of the revenue of an estate
and the power of governing it were bestowed upon an official of the state.
➢ Also introduced Mahalwari system- Mahal refers to an estate with many
cultivators. The term Mahal referred to the fiscal unit / revenue division
into which the whole land was divided by Akbar.

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 In his last days there were some problems between Akbar and his son Salim (also known as
Jahangir).
After the death of Akbar, his son Jahangir (original name was Salim) became the next ruler. It was
during his reign, Guru Arjan Dev was executed by Mughal Army for providing shelter to Khusrau,
(his son) who revolted against him. In 1611 Salim married Mehr-ul-Nisa (also known by the
name Nur Jahan). Jahangir was not an able ruler like his father. Most of the administrative
activities were done by his wife. After his death in 1627, his son Khuram (also known by the
name ‘Shah Jahan’) became the next ruler.
Shah Jahan’s ruling period is known as the Golden age of Medieval India because of
1. Very high economic prosperity and
2. Development in art and culture
He ruled from his capital Shah Jahanabad, which had Jama Masjid, Red Fort and famous Chandini Chowk. In
1612, he married Arjumand Banu Begum, who became famous as Mumtaz Mahal later. He also built a Peacock
Throne and he is also known as ‘architect king’. In 1658 he was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb and finally
died in 1666.

In 1658 Aurangzeb came in power by imprisoning his father Shah Jahan. The religious and Rajput policies of
Akbar were reversed by him. In 1678 he reintroduced Jizya (a tax on Non-Muslim) and went against Rajput
using military. Maratha region also revolted during this time under Shivaji. He was an expansionist and it was
under his reign Mughal Empire reached its peak in terms of area. After his death in 1707, other rulers (later
Mughals) were not that efficient and powerful. As a result a lot of people came into power in continuous
succession and territorial disintegration also happened during this time.

Akbar (1556-1605)
• Akbar built Buland Darwaza, Ibadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, Lahore Palace,
Fatehpur Sikri, Allahabad Fort
• Gems of Akbar’s court: Birbal, Tansen, Abdur Rahim Khan-i-Khanan, Mullah do Pyaza, Todar Mal,
Abul Fazl, Faizi and Man Singh

Jahangir (1605-27)
• Married Nur Jahan (also known as Meh-un-Nisa)
• Guru Arjan Dev was executed at Jahangir’s order
• Wrote Tuzuk-i-Jahangir
Shah Jahan (1627-1658
• Also known as architect king
• He built Taj Mahal in agra, Moti Masjid, Red Fort, Jama Masjid and also Musamman Burz (here he
spent his last years in captivity)
• He laid the Shalimar Gardens in Lahore

Aurangzeb (1658-1707)
• Assumed the title of Alamgir
• Jizya was reintroduced
• 9th Sikh Guru Teg Bahadur was executed during his reign
• Moti Masjid was built by him
• Compiled Fatwa-i-Alamgri and ended the celebration of Navroz festival

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THE MARATHA AGE
Maratha presence was there in medieval history, but most of them split and they were in different groups,
sometime fighting against each other and sometimes on the same side. As a result a unity was absent. Shivaji
born in 1627, obtained Jagir of Poona from his father.

Shivaji now started raiding territories of Bhaminis (especially Bijapur ruler) and Mughals. Shivaji also killed
Afzal Khan, who was deputed by Adil Shah (Bijapur ruler) to kill Shivaji.

In 1664 as part of territorial expansion Shivaji attacked Surat, a very important Mughal port, but was defeated
by the army sent by Aurangzeb under Jaisingh in 1665. This defeat resulted in Treaty of Purandhar (1665). He
continued his territorial expansion and captured southern areas up to Tanjore. Later he died in 1680.

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Shivaji’s Aministration:-
1. Ashtapradhan: there were eight most important ministers and most powerful of them was known as
Peshwa
2. Chauth and Sardeshmukhi: They were taxes levied on territories outside Maratha, to avoid frequent
raid or attack by Marathas.
Sambaji (Shivaji’s elder son) and Shahuji (Sambaji’s son) were imprisoned by Aurangzeb and hence Raja
Ram(shivaji’s younger son) became the next ruler. He took Marathas to a new height, but in 1700 he died and
from then till 1707, Tarabai (Raja Ram’s wife) ruled. Later when Sahhuji was released by Bahadur Shah, he went
to Tarabai asking for his state which she rejected and this led to the battle of Khed and Shahuji won this war.
Balaji Viswanath (the 1st Peshwa) helped Shahuji in war and eventually Shahuji succeeded Raja Ram.
From here onwards, power would start shifting to Peshwa, even though ruler was also there. Important
Peshwas are listed down.
1. Balaji Vishwanath (1713-20)
2. Baji Rao I (1720-40)
3. Balaji Baji Rao (1740-61)
After the defeat in the Third battle of Panipat in 1761, against Ahmad Shah Abdali, Maratha power decreased
drastically and their decline started. Maratha Empire almost came to an end after the defeat in the third Anglo-
Maratha wars.

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