UGC NET History Unit–4 MEDIEVAL INDIAN HISTORY (1200 – 1750 CE)

(UGC NET History Notes – Simple and Comprehensive Version)

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🏛️ 1. Sources of Medieval Indian History

Understanding history between 1200–1750 CE depends on a wide range of sources — archaeological, epigraphic, literary, and foreign accounts.

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📜 A. Archaeological Sources

• Excavations and Monuments: Forts, mosques, temples, tombs, palaces (e.g., Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Gol Gumbaz).

• Material evidence: Pottery, weapons, coins, inscriptions, and architecture provide details of economy and culture.

• Examples:

  • Qutub Minar and Tughlaqabad (Delhi Sultanate)

  • Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri (Mughal period)

  • Vijayanagara ruins at Hampi (Deccan)

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🪶 B. Epigraphic Sources (Inscriptions)

• Provide official orders, grants, and records of rulers.

• Languages: Persian (mainly after 1200 CE), Sanskrit, and regional scripts.

• Examples:

  • Inscriptions from Delhi Sultanate mosques

  • Land grants and farmans of Mughal rulers

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💰 C. Numismatic Sources (Coins)

• Reveal information about rulers, economy, religion, and trade.

• Sultans and Mughals issued coins with Persian inscriptions and rulers’ titles.

• Examples:

  • Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s token currency (copper/silver)

  • Akbar’s Ilahi coins (Din-i-Ilahi period)

  • Sher Shah’s Rupiya (precursor of modern rupee)

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📚 D. Literary Sources

(i) Persian Chronicles

• Official court histories written by nobles and historians.

• Examples:

  • Tabaqat-i Nasiri – Minhaj-us-Siraj (Slave dynasty)

  • Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi – Ziauddin Barani (Tughlaq period)

  • Ain-i-Akbari, Akbarnama – Abul Fazl (Akbar’s reign)

  • Badshahnama – Abdul Hamid Lahori (Shah Jahan)

(ii) Sanskrit and Regional Texts

• Chronicled local kingdoms and religious life.

• Examples:

  • Rajatarangini (Kashmir)

  • Kirtivilas (Bengal)

  • Bakhar literature (Marathi records of Maratha period)

(iii) Daftar Khannas and State Records

• Daftar Khanna – archives of royal administration.

• Firmans – royal decrees.

• Akhbarat – court news bulletins and intelligence reports.

• Bahis / Pothis – account books and registers maintained by local officials.

(iv) Foreign Travellers’ Accounts

• Offer external perspectives on Indian society and rule.

• Important travellers:

  • Ibn Battuta (Morocco) – during Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s reign

  • Marco Polo – visited South India during Pandya rule

  • Abdur Razzaq – visited Vijayanagara court (Deva Raya II)

  • Niccolò Manucci, François Bernier, Tavernier – Mughal India

  • Al-Biruni – though earlier, described early medieval India

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⚔️ 2. Political Developments: The Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526 CE)

🔶 (A) Ghorid Invasions

• Muhammad Ghori defeated Prithviraj Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192 CE).

• Laid foundation for Muslim rule in North India.

• His general Qutbuddin Aibak became the first Sultan of Delhi.

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🔶 (B) Dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate

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⚰️ Decline of the Delhi Sultanate

• Weak successors and internal conflicts.

• Rise of regional states (Bengal, Jaunpur, Gujarat, Malwa, Deccan).

• Invasions by Timur (1398 CE) and Babur (1526 CE).

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👑 3. Foundation and Expansion of the Mughal Empire (1526–1707 CE)

🔹 Babur (1526–1530)

• Defeated Ibrahim Lodi at First Battle of Panipat (1526).

• Defeated Rana Sanga (Battle of Khanwa, 1527) and Medini Rai (Chanderi, 1528).

• Introduced gunpowder warfare in India.

🔹 Humayun (1530–1556)

• Defeated by Sher Shah Suri; regained throne with Persian help before his death (1556).

🔹 The Sur Interregnum (1540–1555)

• Sher Shah Suri:

  • Introduced Rupiya and efficient land revenue system (Zabt).

  • Built Grand Trunk Road (GT Road) and improved postal system.

🔹 Akbar (1556–1605)

• Consolidated empire; Second Battle of Panipat (1556).

• Administrative reforms: Mansabdari system, revenue reforms (Todar Mal).

• Religious policy: Sulh-i-Kul (universal peace), Din-i-Ilahi.

• Expanded empire from Kabul to Bengal and Deccan.

🔹 Jahangir (1605–1627)

• Known for justice and art patronage.

• Married Nur Jahan, who played a major political role.

• Relations with English and Portuguese traders began.

🔹 Shah Jahan (1628–1658)

• Golden age of Mughal architecture: Taj Mahal, Red Fort.

• Expansion of empire in the Deccan.

• Ended by war of succession among his sons.

🔹 Aurangzeb (1658–1707)

• Empire reached maximum territorial extent.

• Imposed Jizya, reimposed orthodox Islamic laws.

• Faced revolts (Marathas, Sikhs, Jats, Rajputs).

• His policies weakened the empire.

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⚰️ 4. Decline and Disintegration of the Mughal Empire

Causes:

• Weak Later Mughals (after Aurangzeb).

• Court factionalism and nobility corruption.

• Provincial independence – Hyderabad, Bengal, Awadh.

• Foreign invasions – Nadir Shah (1739), Ahmad Shah Abdali (1761).

• Rise of Marathas, Sikhs, and British influence.

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🏯 5. Southern India: Vijayanagara and Bahmani Kingdoms

🔶 Vijayanagara Empire (1336–1565)

• Founded by Harihara and Bukka (Sangama dynasty) under guidance of Vidyaranya.

• Capital: Hampi.

• Four dynasties: Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, Aravidu.

• Famous rulers:

  • Krishnadeva Raya (Tuluva dynasty) – golden age of Telugu literature and architecture.

• Defeated by Deccan Sultanates in Battle of Talikota (1565).

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🔶 Bahmani Sultanate (1347–1527)

• Founded by Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah.

• Capital: Gulbarga, later Bidar.

• Notable rulers:

  • Mahmud Gawan – Persian administrator, reformed revenue and army.

• Disintegrated into five Deccan Sultanates:

  • Bijapur, Golkonda, Ahmadnagar, Bidar, Berar.

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⚒️ Eastern Kingdoms

• Eastern Gangas (Odisha): Built Jagannath Temple at Puri.

• Suryavamshi Gajapatis: Powerful in 15th century; resisted Bengal and Bahmani invasions.

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⚔️ 6. Rise of the Marathas

🔹 Shivaji (1627–1680)

• Founder of Maratha Swaraj.

• Crowned as Chhatrapati (1674).

• Established efficient administration – Ashta Pradhan (Council of Eight Ministers).

• Built strong forts and navy.

🔹 Expansion under the Peshwas

• Balaji Vishwanath, Baji Rao I, Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Saheb) extended Maratha power across India.

• Baji Rao I – most successful general, established Maratha supremacy in North India.

🔹 Maratha–Mughal Relations

• Continuous conflict from Aurangzeb’s reign to the 18th century.

• Marathas later became the main power after Mughal decline.

🔹 Maratha Confederacy

• Semi-independent states under chiefs like Gaikwads, Holkars, Scindias, and Bhonsles.

⚰️ Decline of Maratha Power

• Internal disunity and regionalism among Maratha chiefs.

• Defeat in Third Battle of Panipat (1761) by Ahmad Shah Abdali.

• Rise of British East India Company thereafter.

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🧭 7. Summary: Key Themes of Unit IV