Medieval Indian History

Notes:
Hasan Nizami was a renowned Persian language poet and historian serving in the court of Sultan Qutb al-Din Aibak of the Delhi Sultanate in the 12th and 13th centuries. His notable work, Tajul-Ma’asir, was the first official history of the Delhi Sultanate. Nizami migrated from Nishapur to Delhi owing to political instability in his native region. Recognized for his intellectual prowess and fine literary style, Nizami found considerable favor in the sultan’s court. His work remains a significant resource for historians researching the early history of the Delhi Sultanate.

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During the Post-Harsha period, the most important event was the tripartite struggle for supremacy among the Rashtrakutas, Pratiharas, and the Palas. The struggle started during the reign of Vatsaraja  Pratihara.

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Tarikh-i-Akbar Shahi was written by Muhammad Arif Qandahari. The text presents a general survey of Muslim rule in India starting from Mahmud of Ghazni to the middle of the sixteenth century.

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During the 8th century, The eastern expansion of the Arabs and their consequent conquest of Kabul had brought them to the very frontiers of India. The first organized attempt at entering Indian territory was made in 711 CE.

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Rana Sanga of Mewar defeated Ibrahim Lodhi, Mahmud Khilji II, and Sultan Muzaffar Shah II. Despite losing an eye and an arm, he continued to fight, using advanced war elephants and forming alliances with Rajput states to resist the Delhi Sultanate’s expansion.

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Qutb-ud-Din Ahmad Shah II, born Jalal Khan, was a ruler of the Muzaffarid dynasty, who reigned over the Gujarat Sultanate from 1451 to 1458. He succeeded the king Muhammad Shah II.

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After Sultan Qutb-ud-dín Ahmad Shah II’s death in 1458 CE, his uncle Daud Shah was briefly placed on the throne but was deposed within days. His short reign reflects the instability and factionalism in the Gujarat Sultanate at the time.

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The land under the Delhi Sultans was classified into three categories which are: 1. Iqta, 2. Khalisa and 3. Inam. The Delhi Sultans introduced reforms in the land revenue administration.

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‘Rahat’ refers to persian wheel through which water could be lifted from a deeper level for the purpose of irrigation. It was very much in vogue during the time of Turkish rule.

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Krisha Deva Raya succeeded his brother Vira Narasimha. Krishna Deva Raya is generally regarded as the greatest of the Vijayanagar kings. The kingdom reached new heights of territorial expansion during his rule.