Medieval Indian History

🟢 Lite — Quick Review (1h–1d)

Rapid summary for last-minute revision.

Medieval Indian History — Key Facts for KPSC KAS • Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526): Qutb-ud-din Aibak founded after Muhammad Ghori’s conquests; five dynasties — Mamluk (1206-1290), Khilji (1290-1320), Tughlaq (1320-1414), Sayyid (1414-1451), Lodi (1451-1526). • Alauddin Khilji (1296-1316): Brilliant military campaigns (Ranthambore, Gujarat, Deccan); market reforms — price controls, standardized weights; Sultan of the first recorded “economic reforms” in India. • Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325-1351): Transfer of capital to Daulatabad (1 year experiment); token currency (brass coins at silver value — failed); diarchical system (province divided between Sultan and Governor); innovative but impractical. • Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646): Founded by Harihara and Bukka at Hampi (Karnataka); Karnataka’s greatest medieval empire; UNESCO World Heritage at Hampi (1986); flourished until Battle of Talikota (1565) when Deccan Sultanates defeated it. • Bahmani Sultanate (1347-1526): Established by Ala-ud-din Hasan Gangu after quitting Delhi court; capital at Gulbarga (later Bidar); rivalry with Vijayanagara; split into five Deccan Sultanates after 1518. • Mughal Empire (1526-1857): Babur (1526-1530), Humayun (1530-1540, 1555-1556), Akbar (1556-1605), Jahangir (1605-1627), Shah Jahan (1628-1658), Aurangzeb (1658-1707).

⚡ Exam tip: KPSC KAS frequently asks about Vijayanagara’s Hampi, Bahmani Sultanate, and the Tughlaq reforms. Karnataka-specific questions often involve Krishnadevaraya’s reign, Hampi’s destruction, and the Deccan Sultanates.

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🟡 Standard — Regular Study (2d–2mo)

Standard content.

Medieval Indian History — KPSC KAS Study Guide

Sultanate and Provincial Kingdoms

Delhi Sultanate — Rise and Consolidation

Mamluk Dynasty (1206-1290):

• Qutb-ud-din Aibak (1206-1210): Established slavery origin (Freed slave of Muhammad Ghori); established Turkish rule in India
• Iltutmish (1211-1236): Consolidated rule; introduced iqta system (military land grants — pre-Mughal land grant system); organized feudal governance; stabilized the administration; died without strong succession
• Balban (1266-1287): Restored order; royal court ceremonies; zero-sum politics — eliminated rivals; established Sultanate as centralized authority

Khilji Dynasty (1290-1320):

• Jalal-ud-din Khilji (1290-1296): First Khalji ruler; generous approach; assassinated by nephew
• Alauddin Khilji (1296-1316): Military genius; expanded Sultanate to include Gujarat (Raotkot), Ranthambore, Malwa, Deccan
  • Capture of Chittor (1303): Legendary queen Padmini and jauhar (self-immolation); largest Rajput fort captured
  • Southern campaigns: Malik Kafur’s campaigns against Kakatiya (Warangal), Hoysala (Dwarasamudra), Pandya kingdom
  • Market Reforms: Fixed commodity prices; standardized weights; government-controlled grain trade (Market Regulation); prevented hoarding
  • Intelligence Network: Established extensive spy network; introduced diwani (revenue collection centralization)

Tughlaq and Sayyid Period

Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325-1351) — The Visionary Reformer:

• Capital transfer to Daulatabad: Attempted to move capital 1,000 km south to reduce vulnerabilities; forced migration of Delhi’s population; reversed after one year — massive disruption
• Token Currency Experiment: Introduced bronze and copper coins as token currency (equal value to silver tanka); resulting fraud and inflation; reverted to silver
• Taxation Reforms: Imposed unprecedented tax on Khairabad; created financial crisis; agricultural taxes called “Transmutation” (dhajji)
• Diplomatic Initiatives: Sent envoys to Europe and China (Zhanglu’s mission); foreign trade encouraged

Firoz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388):

• Limited ruler: Less capable than Muhammad bin Tughlaq; conservative policies; reversed some innovations
• irrigation Works: Built Firoz Shah Kotla (Delhi fort); canals for agriculture
• Wrote biography: Futuh-us-Salatin (History of the Sultanate); not a great general

Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646)

Foundation:

• Harihara I and Bukka Raya I: Brothers; originally feudatories of the Kakatiya kingdom; captured Hampi region from the Hoysalas; established capital at Hampi (Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka border)
• According to traditions: Initially engaged in military service for the Deccan Sultanates

Golden Age — Krishnadevaraya (1509-1529):

• Greatest Vijayanagara ruler; military campaigns against Deccan Sultanates; captured Raichur (1512); defeated Pratap Rudra of Orissa
• Court amenities: Allasoma Pitamaha; Achyuta Deva; eight celebrated poets (Ashtadiggajas)
• Architectural achievements: Widened Hampi; additions to Lotus Mahal, Hazara Rama temple; built Temple of Hampi
• Literary achievements: Amukta Malyada (telugu work praising Lord Vishnu); personally talented writer

** Hampi — UNESCO World Heritage (1986)**:

• Location: Bellary district, Karnataka; on banks of Tungabhadra River; surrounded by granite hills
• Major structures:
  • Virupaksha Temple: Main deity — Shiva; huge gopuram (tower)
  • Vittala Temple: World-famous Stone Chariot (carved from granite); musical pillars (when struck produce different notes)
  • Lotus Mahal: Elegant pavilion; fusion of Indo-Islamic architecture
  • Hazara Rama Temple: Small but exquisite reliefs depicting Ramayana; royal use
  • Mahanavami festival: 9-day celebration with dance, music, processions; Mahanavami Dianta (audience hall)

Decline and Battle of Talikota (1565):

• Deccan Sultanates: Bidar, Ahmadnagar, Golkonda, Bijapur, Berar — five Sultanates formed after Bahmani collapse
• Battle of Talikota: All five Sultanates united against Vijayanagara; defeated Krishnadevaraya II’s army; Hampi ransacked and destroyed
• Reasons for decline: Overextended empire; internal feuds among royal family; constant warfare draining resources

Bahmani Sultanate (1347-1526)

Foundation: Ala-ud-din Hasan Gangu — left Delhi court after being insulted; named the state after the Bahmani wells (Abu Bakr bin);

Achievements:

• Gulbarga: Original capital (a mosque in Gulbarga resembles Cordoba — possible inspiration for Taj Mahal)
• Bidar: Later capital (still preserves Bidar’s historic architecture)
• Persian influence: Imported Persian administrators; patronized Persian art and architecture; Persian became court language
• Rivalry with Vijayanagara: Constant wars over the Raichur Doab

Deccan Sultanate Fragmentation (1518):

• The Bahmani Sultanate split into five after the death of Mahmud Gawan (1482-1518):
  • Bijapur (Adil Shahis): Covered parts of Karnataka including Belgaum, Bijapur, areas of Maharashtra; language: Dakkhani (Kannada influence)
  • Ahmednagar (Nizam Shahis): Around Ahmednagar; language: Dakkhani
  • Golkonda (Qutb Shahis): Hyderabad region; language: Telugu
  • Bidar (Imad Shahis): Berar region; smallest
  • Vijayanagara’s neighbor: Bidar was the buffer zone between Deccan Sultanates and Vijayanagara

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🔴 Extended — Deep Study (3mo+)

Comprehensive coverage.

Medieval Indian History — Comprehensive KPSC KAS Notes

Mughal Empire, Administration, and Cultural Achievements

Mughal Foundation and Expansion

Babur (1526-1530):

• Descended from Timur (Tamerlane) on father’s side and Chagatai on mother’s side; wrote Baburnama (autobiography)
• Invaded India after being driven from Fergana (Central Asia); won First Battle of Panipat (1526) against Ibrahim Lodi (10,000 soldiers including war elephants)
• Battle of Kanwaha (1527): Defeated Rana Sanga of Mewar; established Mughal supremacy over Rajputana
• Battle of Ghagra (1529): Defeated the joint Afghan-Lodi forces

Humayun (1530-1540, 1555-1556):

• Lost to Sher Shah Suri (Afghan general) at Battle of Kanauj (1540); fled to Persia; lived in exile for 15 years
• Restoration: Defeated Sikandar Suri at Sirhind (1555); died shortly after (1556) — allegedly due to falling from his library terrace while reading
• Nasiruddin Muhammad Humayun — not a strong military ruler; lacked father’s charisma

Akbar (1556-1605) — The Great:

• Early years under Bairam Khan: Regent; won Second Battle of Panipat (1556) against Hemu (Sur dynasty general)
• Rajput Policy: Married Princess Jodhabai (daughter of Raja Amber — later Amer); established Mansabdari system
• Religious tolerance: Held religious discussions (Ibadat Khana) at Fatehpur Sikri; interested in all religions
• Din-i-Ilahi: Syncretic religion founded 1582; attempted to unite faiths; only Akbar’s immediate circle followed

Jahangir (1605-1627):

• Weak ruler compared to Akbar; influence of Nur Jahan (wife) and Sir Thomas Roe (English ambassador — wrote detailed accounts)
• Nur Jahan (originally Mehr-un-Nissa): Influential queen; controlled court decisions; managed imperial finances; designed Mughal gardens

Shah Jahan (1628-1658):

• Built the Taj Mahal (1653-1658) for wife Mumtaz Mahal; 20,000 workers; 22 years to build; architectural masterpiece
• Red Fort in Delhi; Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) in Agra Fort; Jama Masjid in Delhi
• War of Succession (1657-1658): Among four sons; Aurangzeb emerged victorious; imprisoned Shah Jahan until his death

Aurangzeb (1658-1707):

• Religious policy controversy: Imposed Jizya (poll tax on non-Muslims); destroyed temples (Kashi Vishwanath, Mathura); reversed Akbar’s policy of tolerance
• Deccan Campaigns: Spent last 25 years in Deccan; fought Marathas; extended Mughal territory but depleted treasury
• Administrative legacy: His policies contributed to Mughal decline; administrative overreach

Mughal Administration

Mansabdari System (Akbar’s innovation):

• Mansabdar: Officer holding a rank (mansab); ranked from mansabdar (10) to Mir Bakhshi (5,000) and higher
• Zat system: Personal status rank; determines personal salary, number of troops, etc.
• Sawars: Cavalry provided by the mansabdar; number proportional to rank
• Revenue officials: Most mansabdars had revenue assignments (jagir) rather than cash salaries

Jagirdari System:

• Jagirs: Land grants assigned to mansabdars in lieu of salary
• Jagirdar’s issue: Collection rights — jagirdars could be far from their assignments; corruption; no audit
• Zamindars: Local landowners who collected revenue; often exploited farmers

Land Revenue System (Ryotwari):

• Ain-i-Dharmasiri ( Akbar’s revenue manual): Standard rates; measurement of fields; classification of crops
• Revenue rates: 1/3 of produce taken; Akbar’s system was considered just
• Later changes: Under Jahangir and later Mughal rulers, rates increased; corruption spread

Karnataka’s Medieval Kingdoms

Hoysala Empire (1026-1343):

• Capital: Belur (initially) then Halebeedu
• Vishnuvardhana (1108-1152): Defeated the Cholas; conquered Gangavadi; patronized construction of Chennakesava Temple at Belur
• Architecture: Hoysala temples — star-shaped (stellate) plan; intricate soapstone carvings; Chennakesava Temple at Belur (UNESCO World Heritage site, 2011); Hoysaleshwara Temple at Halebeedu (UNESCO World Heritage, 2011)
• Decline: Defeated by Malik Kafur’s Delhi Sultanate forces (1311); then by the Vijayanagara Empire

Vijayanagara — Hampi as Cultural Center:

• The Hampi ruins represent one of the world’s most spectacular archaeological sites
• Significance for Karnataka: Hampi was Karnataka’s and South India’s greatest medieval capital; center of trade with Persians, Portuguese, Chinese
• Trade links: Pepper, cotton, textiles; gold and gems; large markets called pattanas

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Examination Strategy

KPSC KAS commonly asks:

1. Describe the Vijayanagara Empire’s achievements and Hampi
2. Compare Alauddin Khilji’s reforms with Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reforms
3. Analyse the Battle of Talikota and its consequences
4. Explain the Mansabdari system
5. Discuss Karnataka’s Hoysala and Vijayanagara heritage

Key distinctions:

• Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s impractical innovations vs Alauddin Khilji’s practical reforms
• Vijayanagara’s synthesis of Hindu and Deccan Sultanate elements vs Bahmani’s Persianization
• Mughal mansabdari system vs pre-Mughal iqta system
• Rajput policy of Akbar (conciliation) vs Aurangzeb’s reverse policy

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