North India Between 750-1200

:
Chapter in detail:
Four Agnikula Rajput
The four class dominated by early Rajputs which they founded arose from the
ruins of the older Pratihara Kingdom. These were1. The Pratihara-also known as Parihara who based themselves in Southern
Rajasthan.
2. The Chauhans-Ruled and area in Eastern Rajasthan, helped Praithara
against Arabs.
3. The Solankis-also called Chalukyas of Gujarat were based in Kathiawar.
4. The Pawars or Parmars-established their control in Malwa with their
capital at Dhar near Indore.
All the four claimed descent from my thical figure who arose out of the vast
sacrifical fire pit near Mt. Abu. Consequently they were described as the Agnikula
of the fire family.

Chola
Chola Cultural Achievements

Temple architecture , particularly Dravida or the South Indian style of

architecture reached the pinnacle of glory during the Cholas. The chola
continued the Pallava architectural style. The Dravida style of architecture
of the Chola had certain special features. It included a (Storey) Vimana, a
mandapa, (getway) gopuram, lion pillars, brackets and composite pillars.
Vijayalaya built the Vijaylayacholeshwar temple at Narttamalai.

Vijayalaya built the Vijayalayacholeshwar temple at Narttamalai

Parantaka I built Korangnath temple at Srinvasnatlur. Rajaraja built the

Rajarajjeshwar temple (also called Brihadeshwar) at Tanjore.

Rajendra built Brihadeshwar temple at Gangaikonda-Cholapuram.

The Tanjore temples hadmurals on prranas and sculptures of Rajaraja and

his queen Lokamahadevi and the Gangaikondacholapuram temple has
that of Rajender and his queen Cholamahadevi.

The Cholas were famous for bronze statue Of Nataraja; (dancing Shiva)
used cireperdue method.

The system of canals in the south is a contribution of the Cholas

Tiruvasakam- The master piece of Tamil literature was produced during

Chola period.

Kambans Ramayan was another achievement in literature.

Village Types
Mainly 3 types of villages were found in India during this period.
1. The village with multicast population, paying taxes to the king, was most
frequent.
2. Brahmadeya or agrahara village- granted to the brahamins and entirely
inhabited by them, was less frequent.
3. Devdeya Village-Those granted to god similar to the first. During the
Pallava period first two types were predominant, but under the Chola the
third type gained popularity.

Chola Self Government

The cholas are best known for their lical selfgovernment at village level. In
Uttaramerur inscription Dantivarman pallav and Purantaka I have thrown
sufficient light on the local self government of Cholas. The assemblies were of 3
types Ur, Sabha and Nagaram. The appointment of these assemblies were made
by election, Vyavasthas
(a) The Three Types of General Assemblies

Ur: a general assembly of the village consisting of the taxpaying residents.

Sabha or Mahabhasa: Its membership was restricted to the Brahmana of
the village. Found in Bramadeya and Agrahara villages.

Nagaram: was found more commonly in trade centers such as cities and
town.

(b) Committees of Assemblies

Alunganattar- Executive committee of Ur

Varium- Executive committee of Sabha

Samvastarvarium-Annual committee

Tottavarium-Garden committee

Eri varium-Tank committee

Pon varium-Gold committee

Udasin varium-Committee of ascetics

Nayattar-Judicial committee

(c) Qualification to be a member of Sabha

He should be aged between 35 to 70.

He should have one and a half hectare of land.

He should have own house.

Even after having these qualifications one could be disqualified if.

He had served in a committee during the last 3 years,

He had not furnished details of his account while serving in a committee.

Who had been guilty of crime and theft.

Even after having these qualifications one could be disqualified if.

He had served in a committee during the last 3 years,

He had not furnished details of his account while serving in a committee.

Who had been guilty of crime and theft.

The Sultans of Delhi

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Qutubuddin Aibek
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Founder of the Sultanate of Delhi, & the first Independent Muslim ruler.
A turk of Aibak tribe which means Lord of the moon.
Founder of the Slave Dynasty.
Died whole playing Chaugan (Polo)
Laid the foundation of Qutab Minar after the name of a Sufi Saint Khawaja
Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki.
6. Built tow mospues Quwan-ul-Islam mosque at Delhi and Dhai Din ka
Jhonapara at Amer.

Shamsuddin Iltutmish
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Real founder of Delhi Sultanate.

Introducced silver Tankk(175 grains) & Jital two principal coins.
Completed the construction of Qutab Minar.
Created Turkan-i-Chanhalagani a selected body of Trukish nobles.
Coming of Mongols under the leadership of Changiz Khan to the frontiers
of India91220 AD)
6. Indroduced Iqta System in administration.
7. Declared Rajiya as his heir apparent.

Ghiasuddin Balban
1. Consolidator of the Sultanate of Delhi.
2. First Sultan to put forward his views about Kingship according to which the
king was the shadow of God title Nvabat-i-khudui and inscribed zillah on
coins .
3. Created a separate military department (Diwan-i-Ariz) and appointed
Kotwal.
4. Regulated court ceremonial after Persian mode, introduced Sijda )
prostration) Paibok 9 Kissing the monarachs feet) and celebration of
Persian Nauroz. (New year day)
5. Destroyed the group of forty or chahalgani.
6. Belonged to the Ilbari tribe.
7. Adopted the policy of Blood and Iron in governance
8. Claimed himself the descendant of Persian ruler. Afrasiyab.

Alauddin Khalji
1. Like Balban. He believed that Sultan is Goods representative on earth
and declared himself second Alexander
2. The only man who could presume to advise the king was Ala-ul-mulk, the
kotwal of Delhi.

3. During his time the army was directly recruited by the army minister (ariz
mamalik). It was paid in cash form the royal treasury. The pay of
trooper was 234 tankas a year, while one with and additional horse was
paid 78 tankas more, Ala-ud-din instituted the practice of recording the
descriptive roll N Chehra (huliya) of individual soldiers and the branding of
horses (dagh system).
4. For regulation and control over markets he instituted now official
machinery, Diwan-iriyasat the head of entire market control system
Shshna-i-mandi the superintendent of market, and Rais Parwana, the
permit officer of markets.
5. He founded a new clothe market in Delhi know as Sarai-Adal.
6. Brought the farmers in direct relation with the state and curibed and
checked middlemen (Khots, Choudharis, Muqaddams, Patwaris) all were
village headmen.
7. Enhanced the state share of the revenue to one-half of the produce in
Gangetic valley.
8. Created a new department of revenue (Diwani- Mustakharaj) to realize
arrears.
9. Appropriated 4/5 share of Khams (war booty0 leaving only 1/5 to the army.
10. Resumption of several types of land grants viz. Inam, Waqf, Milk
11. Introduced house tax and pasture tax, ghari/ charai respectively.
12. Initiated the policy of conquest and expanision of the sultanate (Khalji
Imperialism) malik Kafur vonlerbase Southern expeditions
13. Built Alai Darwaja, Siri fort Mahal-i-Hazar Situn, Zamait-e-khana
mosque.

Ghiyas-Ud-Din Tuglaq Shah

1. He laid the foundation of a big palace fort know as Tughalaqabad
2. He was on bad terms with the famous sufi saint Nizamuddin Auliya.
3. The statement Hunz Dilli dur ast (Delhi is yet far off) was made by the
saint for the Sultan when he was returning from Bengal to punish the
saint.
4. Took Keen inherent in the construction of irrigation.

Mohammad Bin Tughlaq

1. Formulated famine-code to provide relief to famine-affected people.
2. Well-versed in various braches of learning viz,. astronomy, mathematics,
medicine etc.
3. Created the department of agriculture (Diwani- Amirkohi)
4. Is known as Misture of opposites or a mad king.
5. Enhanced revenue or doab to one half of the produce.

6.
7.
8.
9.

Shifted capital from Delhi to Devagiri (rename, Daulatabad) in 1326-27.

Introduced token currency of copper and brass(1329-30)
Known as a prince of moneyers.
First sultan to advance loans known as sondhar to peasants for digging
wells to extend cultivation.
10. Muhammad had cordial relations with some of the Asian countries,
particularly China. The Chinese emperor, Toghan Timur sent as envoy to
Delhi in 1341 seeking Muhammads permission to rebuild Buddhist
temples in the Himalayan region. These Himalayan temples wee
demolished by Muhammads soldiers during his Qarajal expedition. The
Sultan sent Ibn Battuta as envoy to the court of the Mongol emperor of
China. Ibn Batuta started in July 1342, and returned in 1347.
11. Created a heterogenous nobility-incorporated land-owing class, artisan
class into nobility.
12. The Wizarat winessed its heyday during his reign.
13. His wazir was khwaja-Jahan.
14. Faced many rebellions ding his region. Almost entire South India became
independent during his region.

Firoz Shah Tughlaq

1. Was a cousin of Mohammed Bin Tughlaq and was offered the crown by
the nobles.
2. Made Iqta system hereditary.
3. Founded several cities like Firozabad, Fatehabad, Hissar, Jaunpur,
Firozpur etc.
4. Wrote the autobiography Futuhat-i-Firogshahi
5. Diwan-i-khairat was the special creation of Firoz for helping the poor
Muslim parents in the marriage of their daughter. It was in charge of
Sayyid Amir Miran.
6. The department Diwan-I-Bandgan was also a new creation of Firuz which
administered the affairs of the slaves. Raised a huge force of slaves
numbering 180000.
7. He made systematic assessment of land. Entrusted this task to Kwaja
Hisommuddin who assessed the land revenue which amounted to6 corer
and 85 lakh of tankas.
8. Besides improving the quality of cultivation, a large number of gardens
were laid out by the Sultan, 1200 gardens were laid out in the
neighborhood of Delhi.
9. The most remarkable contribution of Firoz that gave a fillip to agriculture
was the scheme of artificial irrigation in which the excavation of canals
occupied an important place. The important canals which were excavated
were the following ; a. The Rajiwah., b. Ulughkhani, e. Firuzabad canal, d.
Khakkhar (Ghaggar0 canal, e. The canal excavated from the river Budhi.

10. Firuz Shah imposed Jizya upon the brahnanas made Jaziyah a separate
tax.
11. Imposed an additional tax at the rate 1/10 of the total production of such
cultivators as were benefited by the new scheme irrigation known as Haqii-Shirb.
12. The Sultan also opened a large number of hospitals Darul Shafa where
medicines used to be distributed free to the people. Experienced
physicians, surgeons, eye specialists used to be appointed who attended
the patients with great care. The expenses of these hospitals were borne
by the State.
13. The upper storeys of the Qutub Minar which were struck by lightening in
700 A.H/1368 AD. wee repaired by Firoz these repaired were confined to
the fourth and fifth storeys.
14. He built Kushk Firoz and Kotla firoz Shah-It was a palce fortress Situated
on the bank of the river Jamuna. Another interesting object in the Kotla of
firuz Shah was the Ashokan pillar. 9brought from Merrut and Topana)
15. Created an Endowment Fund.
16. Established an Employment Bureau to provide work to unemployed.
17. Started practice of granting old-age pension. (Diwan+ )
18. Started charitable Kitchen
19. Abdicated the thrown in fabour of Muhammad Khan

Sikandar Bahlul Lodi Ibrahim

Introduced a new gaz known as gaz-i-Sikandari of 32 digit.
He was fond of literature and poetry and wrote verses in Persian under the name
of Ghirlakhi.
The main achievement of the Sultan was the conquest and annexation of Bihar.
Founder of Agra city in 1506 and made it his capital.

Main Departments of the Sultanate

Diwan-I-Waziarat
The head of the department was wazir who exercised general supervision over
all departments & in particular the department was associated with the finance.

Diwan I-Arz

The head of the department was Ariz-imumalik

This was the military department.

Overall commander of the army was the Sultan.

Diwan I Insha

The head of the department was Dabir-imumalik

Looked after state correspondence
Associated with issuing of farnans.

Diwan-I- Risalat

The head of the department was Sasr-us-Sudur

State Functionaries
Amil

Revenue officer

Arz-iMamalik

Minister in-charge of the army of the whole country.

Barid

Ness reporter/Intelligence agents

Chihalgani

A select body of Turkish nobility originally slaves of Iltumish which

came into existence during the period of Iltumish to be destroyed by
balban later

Iqtadar

Governor, a person in whose charge an Iqta has been placed.

Khwaja

Keeping accounts and sending information to sultan, the office was

created by by Balban

Kotwal

Head of city administration. He maintained law and order, enforced

economic regulations, correct use of weight and measures and kept
vigil on the visitors.

Muftis

Expounder of law

Muhatasib

An officer appointed to maintain law and order in a municipality

Muqti/Wali

Provincial governor/ holder of Iqta

Shiqdar

Head Shiqs (equivalent to districts)

Terms associated with economy

Fawazil

Excess amount of surplus of revenue appropriated fromIqta after

detraying salary (of the Iqta holder) and meeting expenditure of troops.
This amount was to be deposited with the state exchequer. However
this trend ceased to exits from the time of Firz Shah Tughlaq.
Abwabs Various imposts like ghari, charai etc.
Ushr

A land tax, charged on the land held by a Muslim and wantered by

natural means. Usually, It was one-tenth of the produce. These lands
were know Ushri.

Khams/

Booty captured in war. According to Islamic tradition one-fifth of the

amount went to the state and four-fifths were distributed among the
army.

Zakat

A religious tax, paid by Muslims as a charity for the welfare of their coreligionists. It was charged at the rate 2.5 percent of the actual income
or property.

Jizya

A tax levied on non-muslims in their capacity as protected subjected.

Brahmins, women, children, hermits beggars, lunatics, and slaves
were exempted.

Ghari

House tax

Charaj

Cattle tax levied on grazing.

Kharaj

Land revenue, realized form non-muslims, such lands were known as

Kharaji. Also known as Kharaj-I-Jiziya or mal.

Masahat Measurement of land

Biswa

A common measure of area in northern India, equivalent to 1/20 of a

bigha.

The area whose revenue was reserved for the Sultans treasury. It was
Khalisha not given in Iqtas. Sultans officials, amils collected taxes directly for the
royal treasury.
Sondhar Loan given to the peasants.

Architecture of the sultanate period

1. The first architectural construction erected by Qutd-ud-din Aibak was the
well-known Quwantul- Islammosque at Delhi, It was built on the plinth of a
Hindu temple.
2. The next Turkish building erected at Ajmer is also a mosque. It is known
as Dhai Din ka Jhopra. This too was built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. The

building was originally a Sanksrit college and temple built by the great
Chauhan emperor Vigrahraja Visaldeva.
3. The third important example Turkish architecture is the Qutub Minar.
4. Iltumish, besides completing the Qutub Minar, added some buildings of his
own , most prominent was a tomb, know as Sultan Garhi.
5. Balban built his palace, known as the Red Palace. His tomb in Delhi is
Purely Persian in execution.
6. The Khalji monarch Ala-ud-din was a great builder and erected many
buildings. Two of his buildings are notable. They are a mosque called
Jamaite Khana Masjid at the shrine of Nizamud- din auliya and the famous
Darwaza at the QutubMinar. Both these show a preponderance of Muslim
architectural ideas. He also built Siri Fort Hazar Sutun.
7. The buildings of the Taghlaq period do not possess that splendour. Their
buildings are characterized by stopping walls use of greystone and heavy
and dark appearance.
8. The best of the Pathan buildings is the Moth kiMasjid bult by the prime
minister of Sikandar Lid.

Sultanate Architecture
1. Kutubuddin Aibak

2. Aldddin Khalji

3. Gayasuddin

Kuwwatul-Islam Delhi
Dhai Din Ka Jhopara

Kutbminar-Ajmer Delhi

Siri Fort
Mahal- Hazari-I Sitoon
Alai -Darwaza

Alai Minar

Tuglaqabad (Fort city)

Jahan- Panah (Fort city)

Sat Pullia

Firoz Shah Kotla

Jamima Masjid
Kusak-i- Sikar

Recinstructed Hauz-I Khas and Katbminar

Founded Agra

4. Md.Tuglaq

5. Firoz Shah

6. Sikander Lodi

7. Shar Shah

Old Fort
Qila-i- Kuhng

Sher Shahs Torib-Sara ram

Delhi and its different names through times

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Allaudin Khalji constructed Siri Fort in 1303 AD.

Ghaisuddin Tughlaq built Tughlaqabad in 1321.
Md. Bin Tughlaq constructed Adilabad.
Md . Bin Tughlaq founded other city knows as jahanpanah.
Firoz Shah Tughlaq built Firozabad in 1354
Humayun constructed Dinpanah in 1533
Shershah built Purana Quilla at the site of Jahanpanah
Shahjanah founded Shajhanabad in 1684.

Amir Khusro
1. His real name was Abdul Hasan.
2. He created a new literary style in Persian which came to be known as
Sabaq -I- Hindi
3. He composed verses in Hindi as well and paved the way for the
development of Urdu
4. He lived through the reigns of six sultans - patronised by Jalaluddin Khalji
Alauddin Khalji and Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.
5. He was a disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya the famous Sufi saint of Chisti
order.
6. He introduced numerous perso- arabic ragas aiman sanam ghura etc.
7. His five Literary Masterpieces- Dedicated to Alauddin Khalji , Matula-UiAnwar Shirin Khasrau , Laila Majnuri Ayina i- Sikandri, Hasht Bihist
8. His five Diwans ( Collection of Ghazals) Tuhafat Us-Sighar, Wast UIHyat Ghurrat-UIKamal, Baqiya Naqiya , Nihayat UI- Kamal.
9. His Historical Masnavis ( Narrative Poems).

Tughlaq Nama
Ghiyasuddin Tughlaqs rise to power .
Nuh Siphr
Quttubudin Aibak reign and religious a social
condition
Qiran Us- Sadin
Quarrel and reconciliation between Sultan
Kadalqabad and hais father Bughra Khan
Miftah UI-Furuh
Military success of sultan Jalaluddin Khalji
Aashiqa or Dewal
Romantic love between Khizr Khan, eldest son of
Allaudin
Rani Khizr Khani
Khalji and Dewal Rani daughter of Raj Karan of
Gujarat

Khazain UI- Futuh A historigraphical composition in prose which

describes conquests and other achievements of Allaudin Khalji

Development of Urdu
1. The word Urdu is a Turkish origin and literal meaning of the word is army
or camp
2. The noted poet Amir Khusro called it Hindavi. He composed verses in
Hindavi using Persian script.
3. Urdu was known by various names Hindavi, Dakhini, Rekhata ,
Hindustani.

edieval Indian History

The Mughal Kings
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Babur (1526-30)
1. Belonged to Cheghati section of the Turkish race
2. Originally fromFarghana (Trans ociana). Born in 1483 in the family of
Taimur
3. Was invited by mahmud Khan Lodi AND Ranasanga.

Akbar

Founded a new capital city Fatehpur Sikri (1572-80) which contains

edifices of high quality like Buland Darwaja, Diwani-i- Khas, Turkish
Sultans Palace, Panch Mahal etc. Agra and also Lahore served as his
capital cities.
Akbar designed his mausoleum himself which was constructed by
Jahangir at Sikandara

4. A skilled musician and player of Naqqara(Kettled drum)

5. Some of the great musicians like Tansen, Baba Ramdas and Baba Haridas
adorned his court
6. The mode of calligraphy favourite to Akbar was Nastaliq.
7. Some of the prominent painters who wre in court of Akbar were Khawaja
Abdus Samad. Dasawanta & Basawan.
8. Made Persian translation of Mahabharta known as Razm Naman. Also got
Ramayana Translated into Persian.
9. Muzaffar Khan , Todarmal & Shah Mansur were three most notable wazir of his
time.
10. Compiled a code of education regulations.
11. Prohibited polygamy.
12. Assumed the title of Zul i- ilahi (Shadow of god).
13. Introduced Gaz-i-ilahi, of 41 digits a new yard for land measurement (89
inches in length) in1588.
14. In 1573 introduced Kirori experiment.
15. In 1581 introduced Dah- sala system (important role of Todar Mal)
16. Akbars empire was divided into 12 subas (1575). Later the number rose upto
15 (1605)

Jehangir (1605-27)
1. Popular known as Salim born at Lahore in1569.
2. Promulgated twelve edicts / ordinances for the general welfare and better
government to mark his coronation. Capital city was at Agra
3. Lost the province if Kandhar to Persia.
4. Married Mehrunnisa (daughter of Mirza Ghiya Beg) later known as
Nuramahal& Nurjahan.
5. Formation of Junta( Clique) comprising Nurjehan , her father Mirza Ghiyas
Beg (Itimaud- Daula) her brother Asaf Khan Jehangirs eldest son and
son-in-law of Asaf Khan Khurram which practically played a decisive role
in running the government for many years.
6. Coup ofMohabat Khan Took place that captured Jehangir & Nurjahan in
Lahore.

7. Coming of two English emissaries of king James of England, Captain

Hawkin and Sir Thomas Roy for favourable trade concessions. As a result
of their efforts English factories were set up at Agra , Surat , Ahmadabad &
Broach .
8. Wrote his autobiography Tuzuk-I-Jehangari in Persian.
9. He was buried at Shahadara near Lahore (Died near Lahore while
returning from Kashmir).
10. Mughal Painting reached its climax during his reign, great progress was
made in portrait painting & paintings of animals, Mansure was the greatest
name in this field.
11. He himself was accomplished in pain.. he claimed that he cold
distinguish the work of different artists done in a single painting.
12. Introduced Du- Aspah & Sih-Aspah system (literally tropper with 2 or 3
horses)in Manasabadri system.
13. Ordered the abolition of inhuman coropal punishments like the cutting of
nose and ears of the culprits.
14. Ordered the preparation of a Zanjir-i-Adl the chamof justice made of pure
gold . to hear public grievances against the highhandedness and
oppression of government officers.
15. Executed Guru Arjun Dev with charge of giving help to the prince Khusrao
after his revolt in1606.

Shahjahan
1. Real name Khurram. Born in 1592 . Died in 1666.
2. Witnessed a war of succession among his four sons. Later on impressed
till death by Aurangzeb.
3. Made greatest contribution to architecture, introduced large scale use of
marble , pietra dura and added elegance and sophistication in buildings.
4. Built magnificient edifices like the Red Fort ( Red Stone ), the Jma Masjid (
Red Stone), the Taj Mahal (Marble ),and the Moti Masjid ( Marble )at Agra.
5. Ousted the Portuguese from Hugli and occupiedit in 1632.
6. Foreign travelers Brenier (French) Travenier (French) and Manucci (Italian
) visited his court.
7. His court historian was Abdul Hamid Lahori .
8. Got built the Peacock throne Takht-i- Taus (1628-35) and Taj Mahal (163256)
9. Introduced scale of 1/3.1/4&1/5 inMansabadri system.

Dara Shikoh
1. He was the eldest son of Shahjahan andf his most favoured nominee for
the throne.
2. He was liberal and possessed moderate views.

3. He was a devotee of Qadiri order of Sufis.

4. He was disciple of Miyan Mir and then his successor Mulla Shah
Badaksni.
5. He received the tittle of ShaiI- Buland Iqbal from Shahjahan.
6. He developed the Persian version of the Upanishads.
7. His famous works are

Sufiant ul- Auliya: Biographies of sufi saints

Sakinat ul- Auliya : Biographies of his two preceptors Miyan Mir & Mullah
Shah.
Hasant ul- Arifin : Contains his religious ideas.
Majma ul- Baharain : Contains his religious ideas( Meaning:
Confluenceof two oceans)
Sirr-I- Akbar : Translation of 552 .Upanishads.
Risala-I- Haq Numa

Aurangzeb (1657-1707)
1. Adopted the title of Alamgir (Conqueror of the world), Padshah (Emperor)
and Ghazi (Holy Warrior).
2. Confronted a number of rebellions.

Jats under Gokala Rajaram and Churaman successively.

Satnamis (Mudiyas0 by the followers of Birbhan
Sikhs, after humilitation and imprisionment of Shambhaji
Rjaput by Rathors ofMarwar after the death of Jaswant Singh, on account
of Aurangzebs refulas to recongnise Ajit Singh (Posthumous son of
Jaswant Singh) as the legal heir.
Bundelas led by Champat Rai & Chhatrasal

3. Reimposed Jizya in 1670.

4. Abolished Rahdari (Inland transit duties) Pandari (Octroi0 and Abwab
(Miscellaneous taxes).
5. Discontinued the practice of inscbing the Kalima (Muhammadan confession of
faith) on the coins.
6. Abolished the celebrations of the Nauroz (New year Day), Sati (1163),
Jhorakha-darshan, music and singing.
7. Discontinued the ceremony of weighing the emperor (Tuladan) on his
birthdays.
8. Executed Shambhaji (son of Shivaji) in 1690

9. A proficient player of veena.

10. Forbade singing at court.
11. Reimposed Pilgrims Tax.
12. Forbade the cultivation of Bhang
13. Built Pearl Mosque (Moti Masjid) inside the red Fort at Delhi
14. He was regarded as a Zinda Pir (a living saint)
15. Appointed a board of ulemas to compile a digest on law which came to be
known as Fatwa-i- Alamgiri.
16. Appointed Muhtasibs.

The Departments of Mughal State

Diwan-I-Ala
1. Finance Minister of the state.
2. Looked after the revenue and expenditure of the state
Mir Bakshi
1. Minister in charge of military establishment.
Sadr-Us- Sudr
1. Also known as sadr-i-Jehan.
2. Head of ecclesiastical department.
3. Looked after religious affairs of the state.

QAZI-UL-QUZZAT
1. Constituted the second highest judicial authority after the king
2. Supervised and control entire judicial set-up of the state

KHAN-I-SAMAN
1. Also known as Mikr-saman.
2. Head of royal household
3. In charge of royal Korkhanas.

The organization of army

Ahdis

Known as gentleman troopers who were directly recruited and paid

by the state.

Ahsham

Soldiers belonging to infantry.

Bargirs

Soldiers belonging to cavalry. They were mounted and equipped by

the state.

Dasti

Light Artillery

Dhakhilis

Known as supplementary troopers. They were recruited by the State

and paid from the State treasury,

Jinsi

Heavy Artillery.

SheBandi

Soldiers belonging to infantry. They wee more like the civil police.

Silehdars

Cavalrymen who brought their own horses and arms. They were paid
higher salaries than bargirs.

POLITICO-ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS
Subah
1. The largest unit equivalent to province.
2. The head was known as Nazim or Subedar of Sipahsalar.
3. Other functionaries at this level were: Diwan (Finance), Bakshi (Defence),
Sadr (religious affairs) and Qazi (justice).
Sarkar
1. The unit was equivalent to district.
2. Headed by Faujdar or Shiqdar or Shiqdar- I_Shiqdaran. He was overall
incharge of law & order.
3. Assessment & collection of revenue was looked after by Amalguzar.
4. The head of the district treasury was Khazandar.
5. Bitikchis functioned as writers and record keepers.
Pargana
1. The administrative unit next to sarkar.
2. Headed by Shiqdar, who was in charge of law & order.

3. The revenue official at this level was Amil.

4. The head of the treasury was Fotadar.
Village
1. Village affairs were looked after by the Panchayat.
2. Lambardar was the head of the Panchayat.
3. There was a Chowkidar.

Translations of Different Book During the Mughals

Atharvaveda

Translated into Persian by haji Ibrahim Sarhindi.

Babarnamah

Translated into Persian by Abdur Rahim Khana.

Lilawati

Translated into Persian by Faizi.

Mahabharata

Translated into Persian by Abudul Qadir Badayuni, Naqib Khan

and Shaikh Sultan. It is known as Razm nama in this form.

Nal
Damayanti

Translated into Persian by faizi

Pancha
Tantra

Translated into Persian by Abul/Fazi. The book is known as

Anwer-I-Suhalli in Persian form.

Rajatarangini

Translated into Persian by Mulla Shah Muhammad.

Ramayana

Translated into Persian by Abdul Qadir Badayuni, Naquib Khan

and Shaikh Sultan.

Mughal Painting
Humayun

Brought Abdul Samad and saiyyad Ali to Delhi.

Akbar

Established royal Karkhana for painting.

Tlazam Nama and Trikh-i- Khandane Timuria were painted.
Europen painting was introduced by portugese

Jehangir

He, himself was a painter.

Sent Bisan Dara to Russia.
Mansoor was the greatest painter of his time

He loved paintings on animal and birds.

Shahjahan

Badsah name Illustrated

Used lavish gold.

Aurangjeb

He was antagonistic towards miniature painting.

Mughal
Gardens
Hasht Bahist

Laid out by Babar at a Agra, now known as Ram Bagh.

Shalimar Bagh

Laid out by Jehangir at Srinagar.

Nisat Bagh

Laid out by Asaf Khan at Srinagar.

Shalimar
Garden

Laid out by Shahjehan near Lahore.

Hayat Baksh

Laid out by Shahjehan inside the red Fort.

Shalimar Bagh

Laid out by Shahjehan in Delhi

Wazir Bagh

Laid out by Dara in Kashmir.

Chahar Burji
Bagh

Laid out by zeb-un-nisa near Lahore. Crops & Industries

Distribution

Sind

Cooon, silk, wooden article, ivory, bangles, saltpeter,

mattresses.

Gujarat

Silk weaving, velvet Needlework, Embroidery. Jewellery,

Furniture, Weapons, Gold 7 Silver embroidery.

Delhi/Agra

Paper, Glassware, Copper & Brass utensils.

Avadh

Saltpetre

Bihar

Glass vessels, Wooden articles.

Bengal

Muslin, Cotton, Silk, Embroidered quilts.

Agra

Bayana Indigo (Costlier)

Ahmedabad

Sarkhej Indigo

Varieties of cloth

1. Pat
2. Kirpas (Calico)
3. Sirinbaft
4. Salahati
5. Devgiri
Devagiri
6. Patola
7. Chitrapat
8 Tafetas
9. Toti
10. Tatband

A coarser kind of cotton cloth used by the poor.

A superior variety of cotton cloth than Pat
A variety of mullsim
A variety of muslin obtained from Sylhet
A fine & expensive variety of muslin obtained from
A Kid of silk
Painted or printed cloth.
Silk embroidered with gold.
Matting cloth for wrapping merchandise.
Jute cloth

Terminologies in Use During Mughal

Ahadis

Efficient troops which were not placed under the control of

emperor Later on it has important role in the decline of the
mughal empire.

Ain-i-Dahsala

A system where the average produce of different crops as well

as the average prices prevailing over the last ten years were
calculated 9introduced by Akbar)

Al-tamgha

Jagirs given to Mulsim nobles (Introduced by Hahangir)

Amalguzar

Head of the revenue establishment at local level

Amir

Commander of hundred

Batai/Bhaoli

Crop sharing

Ghalla-Bakshi
Biswa

1/20 part of a bigha

Charas

Method for lifting water from wells in a leather bucket and

drawn over by yhoke of oxen

Chehra

Muster roll that was also called Hulia

Dagh

Branding of horses

Dam/Palse/Fulus

Chief copper coin of 323.5grains (21Grams) (40DAM=1

Rupee).

Dasturs

Cash revenue rates.

Dhenkil

Wooden scoop, used for lifting water from wells into field

channels.
Fatwa

Ruling

Gaz-i-Ilahi

New yard for land measurement, consisting of 41 digist

(approx 33 inches0, introduced by Akbar.

Hasil

Actual collection from land

Hundi

Bill of exchange

Jagirdars

Revenue assignees

Jama

Estimated revenue of Jagir which was equal to the pay given

to the mansabdar.

Jama Dami

Assessed revenue in terms of luxury goods.

Karoris

seniors revenue collectors who collected crores of rupees

from the people of the crown lands.

Khalisa

The land where revenue was reserved for the Sultans

treasury .

Khan

Commander of ten thousand horsemen or more.

Khud-Kashta/

Owners of land in the official documents

alik-I-Zamin

or resident cultivators.

Khutb

A sermon, recited in mosques on Fridays wherein the name of

ruler was included

Kotwal

Police chief

Madad-I-Maash/

Grants of land to men of learning for

Sayughal

their subsistence for life time.

Mahzar

Religious decree issued by Akbar

Malik

Commander of thousand horsemen

Millat

The muslim brotherhood (Entire Muslim Population)

Muhatsibs

Public censors

Nauroz

The new years day of the Zoroastrian calendar introduced by

Akbar. (Aurangzeb banned it)

Paikasht/

Peasents who cultivated land in villages

Pahikasht

other then their own.

Qabulliat

Paper to be signed by pessants. A mark of acceptance of

states demand of land revenue.

Qanungo

Head of the patwaris who as the field officer constituted the

land revenue establishment at pargana level.

Qanungo

Head of the patwaris who as the field officer constituted the

land revenue establishment.

Rupee

Rounded silver coin of 172 grains

Saqlya

Sophisticated device for lifting water by Persian wheel.

Sawar

A Mughal rank that determine the number of cavarley-men.

Shiq

An Administrative division (District0 during Delhi Sultanate

Sipah salar

Commander of less than one hundred soldiers.

Taqavi

Advance loans to peasant

Tuyul

Term used for jagirs

Waqf

Grants for religious and educational institutions

Waquianavis

News writer

Watan Jagirs

Jagirs which were assigned to zamindars in their homelands

Zat

A Mughal rank that determined the position of a

Mughalmansabdar in the hierarchy as well as the personal
day.

Zortalab

Area where there was objection made by the zamindars.

Later Mughals
Bahadur Shah (1702-12)
1. Aurangzeb died in 1707. He had surviving sons- Price Muzzam,
Muhammad Azam and Kam baksh.

2. Price Muzzam succeeded the throne by defeating Azam at Jajau (1707)

and Kam Baksh at Hyderabad (1709) and adopting the title Bahadur
Shah.
3. Adopted pacific polices.
4. Reserved some of the religious policies of Aurangzeb.
5. Guru Govind Singh was given highmansab and had peace with the Sikhs.
6. Sahu, son of Sambhaji (Karasha) was released (captured by Aurangzeb)
After which there began a civil war between Sahu and Tara Bai for
Maratha Thoren.
7. Known on Shah-i-Bekhaber

Jahander Shah (1712-13)

1. Parctice of revenue farming of Ijara was started
2. Abdulah Khan was made the Wazir and
3. Hussain Ali the Mir Bakhi known as Sayyid brothers known as King Maker.

Farrukh Siyar (1713-1719)

1. Chin Qulich Khan or Nizam-ul-Mulk was made governor of the six
provinces of Deccan.
2. Banda Bahadur, the Sikh leader, was defeated captured and put to death
at Delhi 1716.
3. Sayyid brothers adopted tolerant polices towards Hindus.
4. Jizya was finally abolished
5. Pilgrimage taxes were also abolished .
6. Sayyid brothers virtually became king-makers.
7. Farruksiya was killed by sayyid brothers.

Muhammad Shah (1719-48)

1. Rose to Mughal throne by the Sayyid brothers after death of Rafi-udDaulah.
2. Original name was Raushan Akhtar, but took the title of Muhammad Shah
after he became the Mughal emperor.
3. Nizam-u-mulk was made Wazir in 1722. He carried out many
administrative reforms, but dissatisfied over the infighting at the court, left
for deccan, where he founded the state of Hyderabad after defeating
Mughal governor of Deccan, Mubariz Khan in the battle of Shakr- Khed
(1724)
4. Musrshid Quli Khan was governor and subedar of Bengal.
5. Burhan-ul-Mulk Saadat Khan was made subedar of A sadh, also followed
similar course and established his rule over there.
6. Thus Bengal and Bihar, Awadh and Decean were lost to the Mughals.
However, they never threw the over lordship of the Mughal Emperor.

7. Jat leder Bharat Singh-Founded a Jat state of Bharatpur. He himself as

Feudatory of Jai Singh Sawai of Amber, who was appointed faujdar of
Mathura region byh Farrukh Siyar to contain the Jat movement.
8. Rohilla Chiefs (Afghans) founded an independent state of Rohilkhand.
9. Found of Luxurious style of living, and hence called Rangilla
10. 1739-Attack of Nadir Shah.

Mughal army fought at the Battle of Karnal but was defeated

Nadir Shah marched to Delhi and plundered it, meanwhile, Saadat Khan
poisoned himself to death.
Nadir Shah collected huge war booty, and took away the famous Koh-inoor diamond, the Peacock Throne and large number of books on music.

Ahmad Shah (1748-54)

1. Nawab of A wadh Safdar Jang became theWazir of Mughal emperor.

Shah Alam II (1759-1806) Ali Gauhar

1. Due to his conflict with the wazir, Fled to awadh.
2. Defeated by the British alongwith Awadh and Bengla at the Battle of
Buxure 91764)
3. Signed treaty of Allahabad (1765) with the East India Company by which.

Allahabad and Kara (taken fromA wadh) was given to Shah Alam II.
Granted Diwani Right (right to collect land revenue) of Bengal. Bihar and
Orissa for a fixed annual payment of Rs. 26 lakhs.

4. Lived for long at Allahabad as pensioner of East India Company

5. 1761 Abdali gave disastrous defeat to the Third Battle of Panipat
6. Brought to Delhi by Marathas (Mahadji Scindia) in 1772 and declared them to
be the protector of the Mughal court.
7. 1803 taken to prisoner and confined to the Red Fort after Marathas were
defeated by Lord Lake.

Bahadur Shah II (1837-62)

1. The leaders of the 1857 revolts declared him to be the emperor of India
fought the British in name.
2. After the 1857 revolt was suppressed. He was deposed (1858), tried for
waging war against the British and deported to Rangoon (Burma) where
he died in 1862.

3. His wife Zeenat Mahal participated in the revolt of 1857.

Medieval Indian History

The Marathas
Slider

Chapter in detail:
Shivaji
1. Shivaji belonged to Bhonsle Clan.
2. Guru Ramdas was his political Guru.
3. His coronation was held at Raigarh in 1674. His kingdom was called
Swaraj.
4. He adoped the titles of Chhatrapati, Haindava Dharmodharak & Kshatriya
Kulavatamsa.
5. He had confrontation with Afzal Khan of Bijapur in 1659.
6. He also had confrontation with Shayista Khan in 1660.
7. He sacked Surat in 1664 again in 1670.
8. Died in 1680.

The Ashtapradhan
Peshwa / Mukhiya
Pradhan

Prime Minister, General administration both civil and

military.

Sar-i-Naubat

Chief of armed forces

Majumdar/ Amatya

Finance , Revenue , Accounts

Sachiv/Surunavis/Chitnis

Royal Correspondence

Dabir/Sumant

Foreign Affiars/ Royal ceremonies

Mantri/WaqlaNawis/Wakins

Incharge of records, intelligence and looked after

kings private affairs.

Nayayadhish

Justice

Pandit Rao

Religious affairs and Charities

THE PESHAWAS

1. Balaji Viswanath
2. Baji Rao I
3. Balaji Baji Rao
4. Mahadev Rao
5. Narayan Rao
6. Swami Madhav Rao
7. Baji Rao Ji

1713-20
1720-40
1740-61
1761-72
1772-73
1773-95
1795-1818

Maratha Families and Their Headquarters

1. Pashwa
2. Scindia
3. Gaekwad
4. Bhonsle
5. Holker
6. Pawar

Poona
Gwalior (Initially Ujjain)
Baroda
Nagpur
Indore
Dhar

Other Facts on Marathas

Swarajya

Shivajis Kingdom

Raj Vyavahar Kosh

Sanskrit dictionary compiled at the instance of Shivaji

Chautai/Chauth

The levy on the neighbouring territories which was of

the land revenue.

Haindava
Dharmoddharak

Title assumed by Shivaji which meant Protector of the

Hindu Faith

Bakhar

Shivajis Biography by Sabhasad written in 1677

Mirasis

Resident owner cultivator

Watandars

Local landed elements

Ashtapradhan

Council of eightministers

Chitnis

Secretary

Mauza

Lowest unit of thecountry

Tarfs

Second lowest unit of the country

Prants

Provinces

Deshmukh

Equivalent to chaudhuris (village headman) of North

India and desais of Gujarat.

Kamavisdar

Subedar of small provinces under the Peshwas

Mamlatdar

Subedar of bigger provinces under the Peshwas

Watan

Hereditary land holdings

Mirasdars

Petty zamindars

Moksha Mahal

Land grants

Saranjam

Land grants

Sardeshmukhi

1/10 of produce taken by Shivaji being Sardeshmukh,

head of Deshmukhs.

Maratha Confederacy
Balaji Viswanath
1.
2.
3.
4.

The first Peshwa, in 1713.

Induced Zulfiquar Khan to pay Chauth and Sardeshmukhi of Deccan.
Helped the Sayyid brothers to overthrow Farruksiyar
Introduced Saranjami System

Baji Rao I
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The greatest exponent of Guerrilla tactics after Shivaji

Worsted Nizam-ul-Mulk twice.
Compaigned against the Portuguese-captured Salsette & Bassein
Compaigned against the Sidis of Janjira
Propounded concept of Hindu Pad Padshahi, Real architect of Maratha
Empire.

Balaji Baji Rao (Nana Sahib)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Maratha families came into prominence.

By the will of the king Shahu the Peshwa became the official head.
Capital was shifted to Poona from Satara.
Invaded Bengal repeatedly gained Orissa.
Helped Imad-ul-mulk to become Wazir.
Invasion of Ahmed Shah Abdali Battle of Panipat 1761 the nominal
head of the Maratha army was Viswas Rao and the actual commander
was Sadasiva Rao Bhao (killed in the battle). Artillery was under the
command of Ibrahim Gardi.

Madhav Rao
1. Defeated Haider Ali.
2. Brought back the Mughal Emperor Shah who became their Pensioner.
Narayan Rao
1. Conflict for power with Raghunath Rao.
2. Raghunath Rao tried to capture power with the Brithish help.
3. First Anglo-Maratha war.
Baji Rao II
1. Son of Raghunath Rao.
2. Mahadji Schindia rose to prominence. He established control over Shah
Alam and secured the appointment of Peshwas as the emperors deputy.

Travellers During Medieval India

Travellers

Rulers

Nicolo (1420-21 AD)

Devaraya I

Abdur Razzaq (1443-44 AD)

Devaraya II

Nikitin (1470-74)

Firoz Shah Bahamani

Bardosa (1500-16 AD)

Krishnadevaraya

Paes (1520-22 AD)

Krishnadevaraya

Nuniz (1535-37 AD)

Achyutdevaraya

Caeser Fredrick (1567-68 AD) Visited Vijay- nagara after the battle of Talikota.

Vijayanagar Empire
For Quick Overview of the Chapter Please see the
Slider Below:
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Chapter in detail:

Harihar II (1377-1406)
Expanded the empire towards the sea coast but his greatest success was in
wresting Belgaum and Goa from Bahmani and in sending expedition to Sri
Lanka.

Devraya I (1406-1422)
Was defeated by Firoz Shah Bahmani and had to marry his daughter to him. But
later he allied with the Reddy Kingdom and managed to defeat Firoz Shah
Bahmani. He also built a dam across Tungabhadra.

Devraya II (1422-1446)
Inducted a large number of Muslims in the army (Their induction however had
begun during Devrayas I reign). Nuniz informs us that a large number of kings
paid tribute to him.

Krishna Deva Raya (1509-30)

Won Orissa (Gajapati Kingdom) for Vijaynagar and Vijaynagar emerged
strongest during his reign.

Krishna Deva Raya assumed the title of Yavanrayjaya Sthapancharya also

called Abhinav Bhoja.
Paes says that Krishna Deva Raya was a man of much justice but subject
to sudden fits of rage.
Krishna Deva Raya built a new city and expanded patronage to a large
number of poets (Astha Diggajas).
Krishna Deva Raya wrote the political treatise of Amuktamalyamada in
Telugu (Jambbavati Kalyannam in Sanskrit) and emphasized on the
welfare of people.
Rama Raja entered into a treaty with the Portuguese to obtain
themonopoly of horses.
Vijayanagar defeat came in the battle of Talikotta in 1565 due to Rama
Rajas policy of playing one Muslim dynasty against the other for making
Vijaynagar supreme.

Vijaynagar Architecture
The Vijaynagar rulers produced a new style of architecture called as Provida
style. The large number and prominence of pillars and piers are some of the
distinct features. Horse was the most common animal on the pillars. Another

important feature was the Mandapa or open pavilion with a raised platform,
meant for seating deities.
Important temples were Vithalswami and Hazara temples at Hampi, Tadapatri
and Parvati temples at Chidambaramand Varadraja and Ekambarnatha temples
at Kanchipuram. The Vijaynagar rulers inscribed the stories of the Ramayana
and the Mahabharata on the walls of the various temples. Hazara temple and
Vithalswami temples are examples of this type of wall inscription.

The Saints of Medieval India

For Quick Overview of the Chapter Please see the
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Chapter in detail:
Shankaracharya
1. Devotee of Shiva.
2. Gave birth to the philosophy of Advaitavad or Ektatvavad of Vedanta.
3. Established many Mathas (Viharas) in different parts of countryJagannathpuri in east , Sringeri in south, Dwarka in west and Badarinath
in north.
4. Emphasised knowledge or true education as a way to attain Moksha
(salvation).
5. Known as Crypto Buddhist
6. Defeated Buddhist scholastic teachers.

Ramanuja
1. Urged that for salvation the grace of god ismore important than
knowledge.
2. Expounded the philosophy of visistaadwaita and qualified monism.
3. His commentary of Vedanta is compiled in Sribhashya and Gitabhashya.
4. According to him soul is one with God yet separate.

Ramanand

1. Admitted to his sect disciples from all castes, from both sexes and even
from among the Muslims.
2. His twelve disciples, who became famous later on included a Jat named
Dhanna, a barbar Sena, a cobbler Ramdas and a Muslim, Kabir.
3. Worshipper of Rama.
4. Representative of Sagun Bhakti sect.

Kabir
1. Most radical disciple of Ramananda.
2. Brought up by a weaver of Varanasi.
3. By means of sakhas and sakhis he imparted religious instruction to Hindus
and Muslims alike.
4. His sayings.

O Kabir, Sanskrit is the water in a well, the language of people is the

following stream.
I am neither in kaba nor in kailash But present in all creatures.
God is the breath of all breaths.

5. Stood for Hindu-Muslim unity.

6. Declared that Allah and Rama were the names of the same god and called
himRam and Rahim.
7. Representative poet-saint of Nirguna Bhakti sect.

Dadu Dayal
1. Resident of Ahmedabad.
2. Accepted by both the Hindus and the Muslims.
3. Devotee of Nirankar Brahma and staunch supporter of Nirguna School of
Bhakti cult.

Guru Nanak
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Believed in the doctrine of karma and the theory of transmigration of souls.

Started Langar (free community kitchen).
Worked for Hindu-Muslim unity.
Conceived God as Nirankara.
His work was compiled in the Adi Granth which also included the
teachings of Kabir.
6. His Saying God knows mans virtues and enquires not his caste, in the
next world there is no caste.

Chaitanya

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

A devotee of Lord Krishna.

Founder of modern vaishnavism in Bengal.
Original name was Vishwambhar.
Great exponent of Krishnaite form of Vaishnavism.
He is considered by his followers as an incarnation of Krishna or Vishnu.
His philosophical doctrine Acgubttabgeda Bhedavada.
His philosophy is known as Rag Marg (Path of spontaneous love).
Gave birth to Sankirtan system.
His birth place was Navadwip.

Nimbarkacharya
1.
2.
3.
4.

A Telgu Brahmin of Andhra Pradesh.

Spent most of the time at Vrindavan.
Published the theory of Dwaith advaitvad (Dualism-non dualism).
Identified Brahmana with Krishna.

Vallabacharya
1.
2.
3.
4.

Devotee of Krishna.
Believed in the philosophy o Sudhaadvaita.
Emphasised on Vaishnavism and Monoism.
His philosophy known as pushtimarg (the path of grace).

Mirabai
1. Follower of the Krishna cult of Vaishnavism.
2. Her songs were full of devotion and love, written in Rajasthani & Braja
Bhasha.

Tulsidas
1.
2.
3.
4.

Renowned author of Ramcharit Manas.

Depicted Rama as the incarnation of Vishnu.
His other books are Dohavali, Kavitawali, Vinay Patrika etc.
Became a saint and went to Ayodhya.

Madhawacharya
1. Expounded Dwaitvad (Dualism).
2. Devotee of Vishnu.

Jnamesvar or Jnanadeva

1. Saint of Maharastra Dharma.

2. Composed his Marathi commentary of the Bhagwad Gita known as
Jnaneswari.
3. Related to Varkari sect.
4. Wrote Abhangas.

Namdev
1.
2.
3.
4.

Saint of Maharastra Dharma.

Associated with Varkari sect.
Some of his lyrical verses are included in the Granth Sahib.
His Sayings.

Hindu is blind, then Muslim squint, who knows it, is wiser than both; he is
the servant of that name.

Ramdas
1. Saint of Maharastra Dharma.
2. Spiritual guide of Shivaji.
3. Wrote Dasabodha which contains his vast knowledge of various sciences
and arts with the synthesizing principles of spiritual life.
4. Expounder of Dharakari group.

Surdas
1. Foremost of poet of Krishna sect.
2. The first great theme of his poetry constitutes Krishnas Bal Lila (child
Krishna).
3. Disciple of Vallabhacharya.

Eknatha
1. Saint of Maharastra Dharma.

Tukaram
1. Tried to reconcile Hinduism and Islam. Known as Kabir of the Deccan.
2. Wrote several abhangas which embody his teachings and were widely
recited in Maharashtra.

Sankardev

1.
2.
3.
4.

Resident of Assam.
Famous as Chaitanya of Assam.
His Saying.
There is only one God, only one faith and devotion and besides this there
is no other God.

Narsi Mehta
1. Resident of Gujarat.
2. Author of vaishnav jan to teno kahiye .. A favourite Bhajan of Mahatma
Gandhi.

Basava
1. Prime Minister of the Kalachuri King Bijala.
2. Wrote Vachanas.
3. Expounder of Virsaivism or Lingayat sect.

Sufism
Sufism and Suri Saints
1. Mystic movement in Islam is called Sufism.
2. Emphasized on realization of divine unity by arousing intuitive and spiritual
facilities.
3. Pir appointed his successor who was calledWali and their dispels were
known as Murids.
4. Monastic organisation of the sufi was called Khanqah.
5. Sufi orders or silsilahs are broadly classified into two.
a. Ba-Shara Those who followed Sharia or Islamic Law strictly.
b. Be-Shara Those who did not strictly follow sharia.

Sufi Orders
Chisti Order
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Earliest and most liberal sufi order in India.

Sufis of this order lived life of poverty.
Did not visit the court of Sultan.
Praticies Sama or recitation of music to create ecstasy.
Performed a number of yogic exercises.

Khwaja Muinuddin Chisti

Chisti order in India was founded by Khwaja Muinuddin Chisti who settled in
Ajmer.
His tomb in Ajmer developed into a leading pilgrimage centre.

Sheikh Hamiduddin Nagori

Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki
1. Iltutmish was deeply devoted to him.
2. Iltutmish dedicated the Qutab Minar to him.
3. Died in the course of music.

Sheikh Faridduddins / Baba Farid

1. Confined his activities to Punjab and Haryana region.
2. His verses are quoted in quoted in Adi-Granth, Scripture of the Sikha.

Nizamuddin Auliya
1.
2.
3.
4.

Was hostile to Sultan-Qutbuddin Mubarak and Giyasuddin Tughlaq.

For his mastery over yogic practices he is called a sidh or perfect.
Practiced Sama.
Amir Khusrau was his disciple.

Gesu Daraz
1. Chisti silsila was made popular in the deccan by Sayid Muhammad bin
Yusuf al-Hussaini or Banda Nawaz, or Mir Gesu Daraz.
2. Most important chisti sufi in the Deccan.
b. Suhrawardi Order
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Came to India with the foundation of the Delhi Sultanate.

Belonged to the Ba-Shara.
Did not believe in poor like style of the Sufi saint.
Accepted state patronage.
Real founder in India was Sheikh Bahauddin Zakaria.

c. Firdausi Order

1. Emerged in 14th Century.

2. Establishment in Delhi by Badruddin Samarqandi.
3. Outstanding sufi of the order-Sheikh Sharfuddin Yahya Maneri (of Maner
near Patna).
d. Kubrawiyya Order
1. Main centre Kashmir.
e. Qalandariya Order
1.
2.
3.
4.

Literally means wandering dervishes

Refused to obey Khanqah life.
Did not follow Sharia, (Be-Shara)
Practices Hathayoga.

f. Shattariya Order
1. Founded in India y Sheikh Abdullah, called Sahtar (Fast Runner)
2. Lived kingly life style, his disciples marched wearing soldiers uniform
beating drums, etc.
g. Qadiriya Order
1. Original founder Muhyuddin Abdul Qadir Jilani (died 1166)
2. Sheikh Abdul Qadir Popularized this silsila in Sind and Punjab in 16th
Century.
3. Orthodox order (Ba-Shara)
h. Nashabandiya Order
1. Babur, while in central Asia, was disciple of Khwaja Obaidullah Ahrar.
2. Sheikh Ahmed Sirhind, disciple of Baqi Billah, was contemporary of Akbar
and Jahangir, Jahangir imprisoned him for declaring himself to be
Mujaddid (Redeemer of Islam) at the fort of Gwalior.
i. Rishi Movement
1. Begun by Sheikh Nuruddin in Kashmir.
2. He incorporated the teachings of Yogi Lalla, also called Lal Ded, a Shaivite
woman saint of Kashmir.