MEDIEVAL INDIAN HISTORY - NDA FULL NOTES (WITH DETAILED
EXPLANATION AND DATES)
CHAPTER 1: EARLY MEDIEVAL PERIOD (750–1200 AD)
Political Landscape:
Tripartite Struggle among Palas (East), Gurjara-Pratiharas (West), and Rashtrakutas
(Deccan) for control over Kanauj.
Palas (750–1150 AD): Centered in Bengal and Bihar. Prominent ruler: Dharmapala.
Patronized Nalanda University.
Gurjara-Pratiharas: Ruled over western India. Acted as a barrier to Arab invasions.
Rashtrakutas (735–982 AD): Capital at Manyakheta. Famous king: Amoghavarsha.
Patronized Jainism and literature.
Cultural Achievements:
Growth of regional languages.
Temple architecture flourished (e.g., Kailasanatha temple at Ellora by Rashtrakutas).
CHAPTER 2: ISLAMIC INVASIONS & ESTABLISHMENT OF DELHI
SULTANATE
1. Early Invasions:
Mahmud of Ghazni (17 invasions from 1000–1027 AD): Attacked Somnath (1025
AD).
Muhammad Ghori (1175–1206 AD): Defeated Prithviraj Chauhan in Second Battle
of Tarain (1192 AD).
2. Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526 AD)
Slave Dynasty (1206–1290)
Qutb-ud-din Aibak: Founded the dynasty, built Qutub Minar (Delhi).
Iltutmish: Real consolidator; introduced Iqta system.
Razia Sultana: First and only woman ruler (1236–40).
Khilji Dynasty (1290–1320)
Alauddin Khilji: Introduced market reforms, price control, built Siri Fort, expanded
to Deccan.
Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414)
Muhammad bin Tughlaq: Noted for ambitious but failed experiments (token
currency, shifting capital to Daulatabad).
Firoz Shah Tughlaq: Built canals, restored monuments.
Sayyid & Lodi Dynasties (1414–1526)
Last phase of Sultanate rule.
Ibrahim Lodi defeated by Babur in First Battle of Panipat (1526), marking the start
of Mughal rule.
CHAPTER 3: REGIONAL KINGDOMS
Vijayanagara Empire (1336–1646 AD)
Founded by Harihara and Bukka of Sangama dynasty.
Krishna Deva Raya (1509–1529 AD): Empire reached peak, patron of Telugu
literature.
Capital: Hampi (now UNESCO heritage site).
Bahmani Kingdom (1347–1527 AD)
Rival to Vijayanagara in Deccan.
Founded by Ala-ud-Din Bahman Shah.
CHAPTER 4: BHAGTI & SUFI MOVEMENTS
Bhakti Movement
Saints like Kabir, Tulsidas, Mirabai, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu preached personal
devotion to God.
Rejected caste, rituals.
Sant Ravidas and others emphasized equality.
Sufi Movement
Islamic mysticism, spread through Silsilas (orders).
Prominent saints: Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (Ajmer), Nizamuddin Auliya
(Delhi).
Promoted brotherhood, service to humanity.
CHAPTER 5: CULTURE, ART & ARCHITECTURE
Architecture:
Indo-Islamic Architecture: Mosques, domes, arches, minarets.
Qutub Minar (Delhi), Alai Darwaza, Tughlaqabad Fort.
Literature:
Amir Khusrau: Persian and Hindi writer, musician.
Growth of regional languages: Hindi, Marathi, Telugu.
Music & Dance:
Development of Hindustani music.
Patronage by Sufi saints and regional rulers.
CHAPTER 6: SOCIETY & ECONOMY
Social Structure:
Hierarchical society: nobles, ulema, traders, artisans, peasants.
Interactions between Hindu and Islamic traditions.
Economy:
Agriculture: major occupation.
Trade: flourished internally and externally (Persia, Central Asia).
Use of coins: silver tanka, copper jital.
