Medieval India & Regional Kingdoms

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Rapid summary for last-minute revision before your exam.

Medieval India & Regional Kingdoms — Key Facts for BPSC

Medieval India saw the flourishing of powerful regional kingdoms across the subcontinent — from the Cholas in the far south to the Rajputs in the north, and the Bahmani Sultanate in the Deccan.

Core Facts:

• Chola Empire (c. 850–1279 CE): Greatest of South Indian kingdoms; under Rajaraja I (985–1014 CE) and his son Rajendra I (1014–1044 CE); built Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur; conquered Sri Lanka, Maldives, Southeast Asia
• Vijayanagara Empire (c. 1336–1664 CE): Founded by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I at Hampi; great patrons of art, architecture, and literature (Krishnadevaraya’s reign was the golden age)
• Bahmani Sultanate (1347–1526 CE): Founded by Ala-ud-din Hasan (Gangu Bahman); rival to Vijayanagara; capital at Gulbarga (later Bidar)
• Rajput Kingdoms: Mewar (Sisodia dynasty — Ranas), Marwar (Rathores), Jaipur (Kachwahas); great emphasis on Kshatriya dharma and sacrifice

⚡ Exam tip: Regional kingdoms, their administration, art, and architecture are important for BPSC. The Chola dynasty’s maritime achievements and Vijayanagara’s Hampi ruins are frequently tested.

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🟡 Standard — Regular Study (2d–2mo)

Standard content for students with a few days to months.

South Indian Kingdoms

The Chola Empire

Early Cholas

• The Cholas were an ancient dynasty of Tamil Nadu — mentioned in the Ashokan inscriptions (2nd century BCE)
• Early Chola kings: Karikalan (c. 2nd century CE) — built the Kallanai Dam (Grand Anicut) on the Kaveri River — one of the world’s oldest dams still in use
• Medieval Cholas revived under Vijayalaya Chola (c. 850 CE) after a period of weakness

The Great Chola Period (c. 850–1279 CE)

Rajaraja I (985–1014 CE) — The Conqueror:

• Built the Brihadeeswarar Temple (Thanjavur) — a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the vimana (tower) is made of a single piece of granite (80 tonnes) raised to a height of 60 metres
• Created the CivILS — a systematic revenue survey and settlement record
• Conquered Sri Lanka (entire island — called “Mummudi Chakravalam” — Land of the Three Crowns)
• Conquered the Maldives — first Indian kingdom to do so
• Built a great navy — Cholas were the dominant maritime power in the Indian Ocean

Rajendra I (1014–1044 CE) — The Imperial Chola:

• Son of Rajaraja I; extended the empire significantly
• Gangaikonda Cholapuram: Built a new capital city in Tamil Nadu; the temple there rivals Thanjavur
• Kalinga Campaign (c. 1015): Invaded Odisha (Kalinga) — defeated King Anantavarman Chodaganga
• Vengi (Coastal Andhra): Established control over Vengi — began a line of Chola princes ruling Vengi
• Built the bronze image of Nataraja (Shiva as cosmic dancer) — finest example of Chola bronze sculpture

Maritime Achievements:

• The Cholas had the most powerful navy of their time
• Rajendra I sent an expedition to Srivijaya (Sumatra) — defeated the powerful maritime kingdom of Srivijaya
• Trade networks: Connected with China, Southeast Asia (Srivijaya, Khmer), Arabia, East Africa
• Chola coins (gold Panam) found across Southeast Asia

Kulottunga I (1070–1122 CE):

• Consolidated the empire; extended into Odisha and Bengal
• Longest reign of a great Chola emperor
• Trade and commerce flourished

Decline (13th Century):

• The Pandyas ( rivals) revived — the Chola-Pandya wars weakened both
• Hoysalas (Karnataka) and Kakatiyas (Telangana) challenged Chola power
• The last great Chola, Raja Raja II (1146–1173 CE), maintained some territory
• The Chola empire effectively ended by c. 1279 CE — succeeded by the Pandya dynasty

The Vijayanagara Empire (c. 1336–1664 CE)

Foundation:

• Founded by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I ( brothers) in Hampi, Karnataka
• The brothers were originally commanders under the Kakatiya dynasty of Warangal
• According to tradition, they were captured by the Delhi Sultanate and later released to establish a kingdom to check the Sultanate’s expansion
• The name “Vijayanagara” means “City of Victory”

Major Rulers:

Deva Raya I (1406–1422):

• The most powerful of the early rulers
• Military campaigns against the Bahmani Sultanate
• Encouraged literature and art; himself a scholar

Krishnadevaraya (1509–1529) — The Greatest:

• The peak of Vijayanagara’s power and prestige
• Military: Defeated the Bahmani Sultanate decisively; captured Raichur Doab
• Patronized the Mahanubhava saints and poets; wrote Amukta Malyada (a literary work)
• Temple building: Completed the Vitthala Temple at Hampi (still standing); built the Tirumala Temple expansions
• Foreign traveler Domingo Paes (Portuguese) visited during his reign — left detailed accounts of prosperity and grandeur

Achyuta Deva Raya (1529–1542):

• Maintained the empire after Krishnadevaraya’s death
• Less impressive than his predecessor but continued patronage

Administration:

• Mahapradhani (Prime Minister) was the highest official
• Divided into provinces (Mandalams) → Nadus (districts) → Sumtas (villages)
• Agriculture was the backbone; large irrigation tanks and anicuts (dams) built
• Ports: Calicut, Mangalore, Cochin — active trade with Chinese, Arab, Portuguese merchants

Architecture of Vijayanagara:

• Hampi (World Heritage Site): The capital city with the Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple (famous for its stone chariot and musical pillars), Lotus Mahal
• Vitthala Temple — the stone chariot is the most iconic structure
• Musical pillars at Vittala Temple — each pillar produces a different musical note when struck
• Hazara Rama Temple — has relief panels showing Rama’s story

Decline:

• The Battle of Talikota (1565) — combined Deccan Sultanates defeated Vijayanagara
• The capital Hampi was sacked and destroyed
• The empire fragmented into smaller Nayak kingdoms (Tanjavur, Madurai)

The Bahmani Sultanate (1347–1526 CE)

Foundation:

• Founded by Ala-ud-din Hasan (called Gangu Bahman) in 1347
• Declared independence from the Delhi Sultanate
• Named after Bahman, an ancestor (or the Deccan itself — “the Deccan”)

Administration:

• Malik-ul-Mahmud (Prime Minister) — powerful position
• The Sultanate was divided into Tarafdari (governorships) — the governors were often Turkic, Persian, and Afghan nobles
• This created internal factions (the “Deccani” nobles vs “Afaqis”/foreign nobles)

Major Rulers:

• Muhammad bin Tughlaq attempted to suppress it but failed
• Ahmad Shah Wali (1422–1436): Built the new capital Bidar; greatest patron of art
• Mahmud Gawan (1463–1482): The great Prime Minister who tried to centralize power; rebuilt the army; introduced ** gunpowder and artillery** (first in Deccan); executed by the Sultan for alleged treason — this accelerated the Sultan’s decline

Decline:

• Internal factionalism between Deccani (Indian) and Afaqi (foreign) nobles
• Mahmud Gawan’s execution destroyed central authority
• Broke into five Sultanates in 1526: Bijapur, Golconda, Ahmadnagar, Berar, Bidar — the Deccan Sultanates

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Rajput Kingdoms

Characteristics of Rajput Polities

• Kshatriya clans claiming descent from ancient solar or lunar dynasties
• Organization: Multiple clans (Sisodia Rathores, Kachwahas, Parmaras, Chalukyas, etc.)
• Jauhar tradition: In times of defeat, women and children would commit集体 self-immolation (Jauhar) to avoid capture and dishonour
• Fort architecture: Hill forts (Jaipur, Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh, Chittorgarh) were central to Rajput defense
• Land grants to Brahmins (Agraharas) — patronized temples and learning
• Rajput women had significant property rights — could own and inherit land

Major Rajput Kingdoms

Mewar (Sisodia Dynasty — Ranas):

• Rana Kumbha (1433–1468): Built the Vijay Stambh (Tower of Victory) at Chittorgarh; defeated the Sultanate of Malwa multiple times
• Rana Sanga (1509–1528): Fought Babur; formed a coalition of Rajput kings; defeated at the Battle of Khanwa (1527) by Babur; died in exile
• Rana Pratap Singh (1572–1597): The legendary hero; refused to accept Akbar’s supremacy; fought the Battle of Haldighati (1576) against Akbar’s general Man Singh; used guerrilla warfare from the hills; never submitted — died unreconciled
• Mewar under Akbar accepted peace later — Rana Amar Singh I (1597–1620) accepted Mughal supremacy but maintained internal autonomy

Marwar (Jodhpur — Rathore Dynasty):

• Rao Jodhaji — founded Jodhpur city (1459)
• Raja Suraj Singh — expanded Jodhpur
• During Mughal period: Raja Jaswant Singh — sided with Aurangzeb in the Deccan wars

Jaipur (Kachwaha Dynasty):

• Raja Man Singh I (1589–1614): Allied with Akbar; married his daughter to Mughal prince; one of the Navratnas in Akbar’s court
• Jai Singh II (1699–1743): Built Jantar Mantar (observatories) in Jaipur, Delhi, Varanasi, Ujjain, Mathura — brilliant astronomical instruments; founder of Jaipur city (1727)

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Regional Kingdoms of Medieval India

The Pandyas (c. 6th century BCE – 14th century CE)

• Ancient Tamil dynasty; rivals of the Cholas
• Madurai was their capital
• Known for temple architecture (the “Meenakshi Temple” at Madurai — built by Thirumalai Nayak)
• The Pandya kingdom revived in the 16th century as a Nayak kingdom

The Hoysalas (c. 1000–1346 CE)

• Based in Karnataka (Dwarasamudra / Halebid as capital)
• Famous for temple architecture — the Chennakesava Temple at Belur and Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebid
• Vishnuvardhana (1108–1152): Defeated the Cholas; built the Chennakesava Temple
• Defeated by the Delhi Sultanate under Muhammad bin Tughlaq in the 14th century

The Kakatiyas (c. 1150–1323 CE)

• Based in Telangana (Warangal as capital)
• Rudrama Devi (1253–1289): One of India’s few female rulers; a Kakatiya queen; ruled ably; patronized the Ganapeshwar Temple
• Prataparudra (1289–1323): Last Kakatiya king; defeated by the Delhi Sultanate under Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1323); the kingdom was annexed

The Sultanate of Malwa

• Dilawar Khan Ghori established independence in 1392
• Mahmud Khalji (1436–1469): The greatest Sultan of Malwa; patron of art; built the Jami Masjid in Mandu
• Mandu (the fort city) was famous for its architecture

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🔴 Extended — Deep Study (3mo+)

Comprehensive coverage for students on a longer study timeline.

Chola Administration — Detailed

• Mandalams (provinces) → Valanadus (districts) → Kurms (groups of villages) → Nadus (village clusters) → Villages (individual villages)
• S吹thi: Village assembly — managed local affairs
• Land revenue: Usually 1/6 of produce (less than most other systems)
• Brahmin settlements (Agraharas): Given revenue-free land to brahmins; these were centers of learning
• Systematic land surveys — each plot of land was measured and recorded
• Bronze and stone sculpture flourished — the Nataraja bronze is the finest example of Chola art

Vijayanagara — Foreign Accounts

Nicolo Conti (Italian, 1420–1422):

• Visited Vijayanagara; described a city of “great wealth and splendor”

Abdur Razzak (Persian, 1443–1444):

• Ambassador from the Timurid court; visited during Deva Raya I’s reign
• Described Hampi as having seven walls and compared it to “Rome”

Domingo Paes (Portuguese, 1520–1522):

• Horse trader; visited during Krishnadevaraya’s reign
• Left the most detailed account; said the city was “as large as Rome”

Nuniz (Portuguese, 1537):

• Described the markets, the women, and the court

Rajput Forts and Architecture

• Chittorgarh Fort: Largest fort in India; three major sieges (1303 by Alauddin Khalji, 1535 by Bahadur Shah of Gujarat, 1568 by Akbar); each time, Jauhar was performed
• Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur: Built by Rao Jodhaji; one of the most impressive forts in India
• Jaipur City: First planned city of India (by Vastu Shastra architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya); Pink City
• Hawa Mahal, Jaipur: Palace of Winds — 953 windows — built for royal women to observe street processions without being seen

Battle of Talikota (1565) — Detailed

• Fought between Vijayanagara (Aliya Rama Raya) and the Deccan Sultanates (Ali Adil Shah of Bijapur, Ibrahim Lodi of Golconda, etc.)
• The Sultans united because Vijayanagara was expanding and threatening their existence
• Vijayanagara’s army was betrayed by two Turncoats (the two sides had fought previously)
• The battle was catastrophic — tens of thousands killed
• The city of Hampi was completely destroyed — never rebuilt as a capital
• This event marks the end of medieval South Indian imperial power

BPSC Previous Year Pattern

• Chola maritime power and temple architecture
• Vijayanagara — Hampi, Krishna Deva Raya, foreign travelers’ accounts
• Battle of Talikota and decline of Vijayanagara
• Bahmani Sultanate — internal factions, Mahmud Gawan
• Rajput kingdoms — Mewar, Rana Pratap, Battle of Haldighati
• Regional kingdoms — Kakatiyas, Hoysalas, Pandyas

Important Dates for BPSC

Year	Event
c. 985	Rajaraja I becomes Chola king
1014	Rajendra I’s Gangaikonda campaign
1014–1044	Rajendra I’s reign — peak of Chola power
1336	Founding of Vijayanagara
1347	Bahmani Sultanate founded
1392	Malwa Sultanate independence
1408	Deva Raya I — peak of early Vijayanagara
1509	Krishnadevaraya becomes Vijayanagara king
1526	Bahmani Sultanate breaks into five sultanates
1565	Battle of Talikota — Vijayanagara destroyed
1576	Battle of Haldighati — Rana Pratap vs Akbar

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t confuse the Chola dynasty with the Cheras or Pandyas — each had distinct territories
• The Hampi ruins are at Hampi, Karnataka — not in Tamil Nadu
• Krishnadevaraya was the greatest Vijayanagara ruler — not the founder
• The Bahmani Sultanate broke into FIVE Deccan Sultanates in 1526 (not four)
• The Jauhar tradition was unique to Rajputs — not found elsewhere in India in the same form

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