Medieval History Notes for UPSC and State PCS Exams

Description

Medieval History Notes for UPSC and State PCS Exams

1. Early Medieval India (750 CE – 1206 CE)

The Tripartite Struggle (8th–10th Century)

• Conflict between Gurjara-Pratiharas, Palas, and Rashtrakutas
• Political fragmentation and regional power struggles

Regional Kingdoms

• Rajputs – Emergence of various clans (Chauhans, Parmars, Guhilots)
• Cholas – Rajaraja I, Rajendra Chola, administration, naval expeditions
• Chera and Pandya Dynasties – Influence in South India, trade links
• Western Chalukyas – Rule of Tailapa II, Someshvara I, and Vikramaditya VI

Society and Economy in Early Medieval India

• Feudalism – Samantas, local chieftains, land grants
• Agrarian Structure – Role of peasants, taxation, irrigation
• Trade and Urbanization – Decline of cities, rise of temple economy

Religion and Culture

• Rise of Tantrism – Esoteric Hindu and Buddhist sects
• Bhakti Movement – Alvars and Nayanars in South India
• Temple Architecture – Nagara, Dravida, and Vesara styles

2. The Delhi Sultanate (1206 CE – 1526 CE)

A. Slave Dynasty (1206–1290)

• Qutb-ud-din Aibak – Founder, construction of Qutub Minar
• Iltutmish – Chalisa (Turkish Nobility), introduction of Iqta System
• Raziya Sultana – First and only female ruler of Delhi
• Balban – Theory of Kingship, harsh military control

B. Khalji Dynasty (1290–1320)

• Jalal-ud-din Khalji – Founder, moderate policies
• Alauddin Khalji –
  • Military campaigns – Expansion into Deccan
  • Economic reforms – Market control, rationing system

C. Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414)

• Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq – Founder, policy of consolidation
• Muhammad bin Tughlaq –
  • Administrative Experiments – Token currency, capital shift to Daulatabad
  • Military failures, excessive taxation
• Firoz Shah Tughlaq – Irrigation projects, construction of canals

D. Sayyid and Lodi Dynasties (1414–1526)

• Sayyid Dynasty – Timur’s influence, weak administration
• Lodis –
  • Ibrahim Lodi – Defeated in the First Battle of Panipat (1526)

E. Administration, Society, and Culture

• Iqta System – Decentralized administration
• Economy and Trade – Growth of markets, Persian influence
• Sufi & Bhakti Movements – Growth of composite culture
• Indo-Islamic Architecture – Tombs, mosques, and forts

3. Provincial Kingdoms and Resistance to Delhi Sultanate

North India

• Bengal – Independent sultans, trade with Southeast Asia
• Gujarat – Rich trading center, rise of Mahmud Begarha
• Malwa – Afghan and Rajput resistance
• Jaunpur – Sharqi dynasty, cultural development
• Kashmir – Hindu and Muslim rulers, emergence of Shah Mir

South India

• Vijayanagara Empire –
  • Founded by Harihara and Bukka
  • Peak under Krishnadevaraya – Military conquests, Amuktamalyada
• Bahmani Sultanate and Deccan Kingdoms – Five successor states

4. The Mughal Empire (1526 CE – 1707 CE)

A. Early Mughals (1526–1556)

• Babur –
  • First Battle of Panipat (1526) – Defeats Ibrahim Lodi
  • Battle of Khanwa (1527) – Defeats Rana Sanga
  • Battle of Chanderi (1528)
• Humayun –
  • Conflict with Sher Shah Suri
  • Defeated at the Battle of Chausa (1539) and Battle of Kannauj (1540)

B. Sur Empire (1540–1556)

• Sher Shah Suri –
  • Introduced the Rupiya system
  • Constructed Grand Trunk Road
  • Efficient administration – land revenue system

C. Expansion and Consolidation (1556–1605)

• Akbar –
  • Second Battle of Panipat (1556) – Defeats Hemu
  • Rajput Policy – Alliances and religious tolerance
  • Din-i-Ilahi – Syncretic religion
  • Mansabdari System – Military and administrative reforms

D. Mughal Golden Age (1605–1707)

• Jahangir – Nur Jahan’s influence, Persian conflicts
• Shah Jahan –
  • Architectural advancements – Taj Mahal, Red Fort
  • Expansion into Deccan
• Aurangzeb –
  • Deccan Campaigns – War with Marathas
  • Religious policies – Jizya tax reinstated

E. Mughal Administration, Society, and Economy

• Mansabdari and Jagirdari Systems
• Trade and Commerce – European trading companies enter India
• Mughal Art and Literature – Persian influence, Miniature paintings

5. The Rise of Regional States (1707–1761 CE)

Decline of Mughal Empire

• Causes – Weak successors, economic instability, invasions
• Rise of Marathas – Shivaji, Peshwa administration
• Third Battle of Panipat (1761) – Marathas vs. Ahmad Shah Abdali

Other Regional Powers

• Rajput States – Jaipur, Jodhpur, Mewar
• Sikhs – Guru Gobind Singh, Rise of Khalsa
• Jats – Bharatpur Kingdom
• European Powers – Portuguese, Dutch, English, and French presence

6. Religious and Cultural Developments in Medieval India

Bhakti Movement

• Alvars and Nayanars – Devotional hymns in Tamil Nadu
• Sant Kabir – Nirguna Bhakti
• Guru Nanak – Sikhism foundation
• Mirabai and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu – Vaishnavism

Sufi Movement

• Chishti Order – Nizamuddin Auliya, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti
• Suhrawardi and Qadiri Orders – Spread of Sufism

Medieval Literature and Languages

• Persian – Akbarnama, Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri
• Hindi, Urdu, Sanskrit – Bhakti poetry

Indo-Islamic Architecture

• Mosques and Forts – Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid
• Tombs – Taj Mahal, Humayun’s Tomb

7. Economic and Social Developments

• Agrarian System – Zamindari, Jagirdari, Ryotwari
• Trade and Urbanization – Guilds, markets, European trade
• Social Structure – Caste system, position of women, education

8. Impact of Medieval History on Modern India

• Administrative Continuity – Mansabdari to British bureaucracy
• Legal and Revenue Systems – Mughal land revenue policies
• Architectural Legacy – Indo-Saracenic revival in colonial India