4-D EDUCATION HUB
MEDIEVAL HISTORY OF INDIA
MEDIVAL INDIA
The medieval period marks an important phase in the history of India. During this period Delhi was ruled by dynasties like Khiljis,
Sayyads, and Lodhis. Later Babur who was the descendant of Timur came to India and established the Mughal empire which later
witnessed the rise of great Mughal empire.
Medieval history refers to the post classical era i.e. 8 th century to 18th century in the Indian subcontinent. Medieval history is divided
into two parts: Early medieval period(8th to 13th century), Late medieval period(13th to 18th century )
INDO-MUGHAL CULTURE
The Mughal rulers discarded the Afghan titles of Sultan and styled themselves as Badshah(emperor) and Din-e-Panah (protector of
faith). Further, to evoke reverence among the subject for the emperor, they started the practice of jharokha darshan or making public
appearances through specially built windows. They also encouraged the court practice of sijda (low prostration before the kings) and
concentrated religious and political power more firmly in their hands.
DIFFERENT EMPIRES OF MEDIEVAL INDIA
1. Delhi Sultanate
It is a term to cover five short lived dynasties out of which the first three were Turkish:
1. Mamluk dynasty
2. Khilji dynasty
3. Tughlaq dynasty
4. Sayyid dynasty
5. Lodhi dynasty
2. Chola Empire
One of the most famous South Indian empire which rules from Tamil Nadu and extended till South East Asia in its peak from 9th to
13th century.
3. Hoysala Empire
A prominent South India Kannadiga empire that ruled most of the modern day state of Karnataka between the 10 th and the 14th
century. The capital of Hoysala was initially located at Bellur, Karnataka but later was moved to Halebidu, Karnataka.
4. Maratha Empire
An empire based in Maharashtra. The british took over India by defeating/ dividing several Maratha Clan Kingdom. Marathas ruled
form 17th century to 19th century.
5. Mughal Empire
6. Rajputs
It was an era of chivalry and feudalism (9th and 10th century). The rajput weakened each other by constant fighting, allowing the Turks
to embark on victorious campaigns against the empire.
7. Kakatiya Kingdom
A telugu dynasty that ruled most of current day Andra Pradesh from 11 th to 14th century.
8. Trigatas
Mentioned in the epic Mahabharata. According to Mahabharata there were two Trigatas one in thw west near the sivi kingdom and
one in the north(Kangra Himachal Pradesh).
9. Ahom Kingdom
It was a kingdom in the Brahmaputra valley in Assam.
10.Reddy Kingdom
It was established in South India by Prolaya Vema Reddy. It was a part of the central and coastal Andra Pradesh which is the present
date Telangana. (1325-1448).
11.Vijaynagara Empire
It was based on South India, in the deccan plateau region.
12.Gajapati Kingdom
It was a medieval Hindu dynasty that ruled over Kalinga i.e. present Orissa.
13.Deccan Sultanate
th
16 to 17th century. These were five Muslims that ruled in the late medieval kingdom.
14.Sikh Empire
This was a major power in the Indian subcontinent which arose under the leadership of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. (18 th and 19th century).
ARAB CONQUEST OF SINDH
In 712 AD, AL Hajjaj the governor of Basar, led an expedition against Sindh’s ruler Dahir, under his nephew and son in law,
Muhammad bin Qasim. This expedition put Sindh under the Arabs.
The cause:Neither territorial expansion nor religious king of Ceylon(Sri lanka) had some gifts for the king of Turkey which were looted at Debal
in Sindh by pirates. The ruler of Sindh Dahir refused to compensate the loss and remained ignorant to event. This emerged Al Hajjaj
and he attacked Sindh. However Arabs failed to buit a permanent empire in India.
Impact of Arab rule in Sindh
1.
2.
3.
4.
Conversion of Sindh population to Islam, although on a very limited and temporary scale.
Laying the formation of Islam in India.
Promotion of Arab trade.
New Arab settlements on sea coast.
ATTACK OF MAHMUD GHAZNI
He did not make any systematic efforts to capture India. However, he may be seen as the founder of Turkish rule in India to an extent
that his expeditions opened India to conquest from North West.
His first raid was for wealth in 1000AD. In a period of 25 years he made 17 raids in India during ehich he destroyed the temple of
Somnath in Gujarat. He wanted to make Afghanstan formidable power in politics in Central Asia.
Significance of Mahmud Ghaznis invasion
1.
2.
3.
4.
Exposition of India’s military weakness and political disunity.
Weakening of economic condition of India as Mahmud carried huge wealth out of the country.
Great set back to India’s art and sculpture owing to destruction of idols and temples.
Arrival of Muslim saints called the Sufis providing oppurtunities for Hindu-Muslim interaction.
ATTACK OF MUHAMMAD GHORI
The 2nd attack from north west made by Ghori at the end of 12 th century. He attacked from Gomal Pass in 1182 and conquered Sindh
followed by Lahore and Ganges plain( Rajputs).
Prithiviraj Chouhan defeated Ghori in the First Battle of Tarain in 1191 but was defeated by Ghori in the Second Battle of Tarain
1192. Ghoridefeated king of Kannauj( Jayachandra) in the Battle of Chandawar. Before Ghoris assassination he also conquered
Ganga-Yamuna doab, Bihar and Bengal.
DELHI SULTANATE
The sudden death of Ghori and failure to specify sucession procedure pitted his 3 slaves Tajuddin Yalduz, Nassir ud din Qubacha and
Qutubbudin Aibak against each other. Arguments of the 3 led many Ghurid reigns to revert and proclaim independence. Atlast
Qutubudin conquered the throne of Delhi. The period 1206-1526 is known as the ‘Period of the Sultan Rulers’.
The Delhi Sultanate is the name used to describe five short-lived medieval dynasties which were successful in establishing the
Muslim rule in India for the first time. These dynasties or sultanates were of Turkic origin and ruled from Delhi between 1206 and
1526 AD. The five dynasties which are together termed as the Delhi Sultanate are listed as follows:

Mamluk Dynasty (1206 AD to 1290 AD)



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Khilji Dynasty (1290 AD to 1320 AD)
Tughlaq Dynasty (1320 AD to 1414 AD)
Sayyid Dynasty (1414 AD to 1451 AD)
Lodi Dynasty (1451 AD to 1526 AD)
Of these, the Mamluk Dynasty was the first to establish its rule at Delhi.
Slave dynasty (1206-1290)
This dynasty is named so as the rulers were either slaves or the descandent of slaves. The rulers of this kingdom were:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Quttubudin Aibak(1206-1210)
Due to his generosity he was named as Lakhbaksh by Siraaj. His focus was on the retention rof what he had rather than
expansion of his empire. He built two mosques in Ajmer and Delhi. He died suddenly while playing Polo as he fell from his
horse. His nominee was his adopted son Aram Shah but the nobels drove Aram Shah out and elected Illtumish as the ruler.
Illtumish (1210-1236)
He was the son in law of Aibak. He secured a letter from Caliph of Baghdad in 1229 which bestowed him the title of ‘Sultan
of Hindustan’. He suppressed the rebellious nobels, chiefs and internal rivals Yaldaz, Qubacha and Khilji of Bengal.
He destroyed the Rajputs and covered the North of India. Instead of Lahore he made Delhi the capital. Organised a group of
40 loyal nobels called the Chahalgani for political and religious advise.
Razia Sultan (1236-1239)
Daughter of Illtumish, first and last woman muslim ruler. The nobels of the court regarded it below their dignity to pay
obedience to a woman, the public also resented her for appearance in jharokhas without a burqa, the appointment of slave
named Jamat ud din was also resented by the chahalganis.
Razia had all the skills to be a good ruler but one which was her being a woman. In 1240 near Kaithal she was murdered
hence collapsing her empire.
Bahram Shah (1240-1242)
Created the post of Nayas e Mamlukat
Masud Shah(1242-1246)
Nasiruddin Mahmud(1246-1265)
Named Taski-e-Nasiri by Sirraj
Balban(1265-1287)
KHILJI DYNASTY(1290-1320)
Founded by Jalauddin Khaliji(1290-96) who ruled from Kilkhori and was the first sultan having a benevolent attitude towards the
Hindus. He was killed by Alauddin Khilji (Ali Gurshasp).
Alauddin Khilji (1296-1316) caputured Ranthambhor ( ruled by Hamirdeva) AD 1300 where the women committed Jauhar, which has
been described by Amir Khusrau( first Persian account of Jauhar). He captured Chittor ruled by Ratan Singh in AD 1303 because the
later refused to allow his army to pass through his( Ratan Singh) territory. His general Malik Kafur led the deccan expediton and
marched as far as Rameshwaram and was given the title Malik Naib. Allaudin adopted the title of Sikandar I sani and inscribed the
same on his coin. According to Barni he wanted to form a new religion. He adorned Amir Khusrau wih the title of Tuti-I-Hind(Parrot
of India).
He centralised his administration, confiscated Milk, Inam and waqf land and appointed Barid(news reporters and Munhis(Spies) to
strengthen the spy system. Social gathering of nobels and matrimonial relation among them was prohibited. Wine and gambling was
prohibited, he included Turks in his service.
He abolished Zamindari in Khalisa land and no Iqta was allotted in the doab region. He fixed the land revenue based on the
measurement of land. He abolished Kismat-i-Khuti but levied Ghari(house tax) and Charai(grazing tax). Dagh and Chehera system
were introduced int he military field. Ariz-I-Mumalik was made the head of the Diwan-e-Arz(the military department).
He also introduced market reforms and fixed the prices of goods. He built Alai Minar, Alai Darwaza, City of Sin, Mahal hazar Stron,
Jamait Khana Mosque. He was the fist sultan in Delhi to fix revenue in cash.
After alaudin his son Mubarak Khilji ascended to the throne who declared himself Khalifa and assumed the title “AL Wasiq
Billah’.He was killed and ws succeeded by Nasiruddin Khusrau Shah.
Tughlaq Dynasty(1320-1414)
Founded by Ghyasuddin Tughlaq(Ghazi Malik). He was the firat sultan o start irrigation works. After his death due to collapse of a
wooden structure, Mohammad bin Tughlaq ascended the throne. Mohammad bin Tughlaq has been dubbed as an ill starred idealist
Ziauddin Barne mentioned his five unsuccessful experiments:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
Transfer of capital from Delhi to Deogiri/Daulatabad.
Introduction of token currency (Bronze coins).
Organised huge army for Iraq invasion but abandoned it.
Qarachil expetion in Kumaon hills to counter Chinese incursion
Kangra expedition (Himachal Pradesh).
He instituted agricultural reforms and fixed the land revenue that was not on the basis of produce. He was succeed by Firoz shah
tughlaq(1351-88)
Firoz Shah destroyed the jaggannath Puri temple and desecrated Jwalamukhi temple from where 1300 manuscripts were translated
fromsanskrit to pesian under the totle Dalai-I-FiruzShahi by Arizuddin kan. He refused to exempt the Brahmins from the payment of
Jaziya. He set up a separate department for slave called Diwan-I-Bandagan.
He built the cities Hissar Firoza Firozabad and Jaunpur. He introduced the hereditary principle even in the army.
Nasiruddin Mahmud was the last ruler of this dynasty whose reign Taimur invaded India in 1398. He gave Malik Sarvar the title of
Malik us Sharq. Malik Sarvar founded the Sharqi dynasty in Jaunpur.
Sayyid Dynasty(1414-50)
It was founded after Tughlaq dynasty b y Khize Khan on behalf of Taimur.
Khijr Khan (1414-20)
Mubarakh Shah(1421-33)
Muhammad Shah(1421-43)
Alauddin Alam Shah(1443-51)
Lodhi Dynasty(1415=1526)
Lodhi dynasty was the first Afghan dynasty in India, founded by Bahlol Lodhi. He was succeeded by Sikandar Lodhi(1489-1517),
who founded Agra in 1504. Sikander Lodhi introduced a new measurement yard called Gazz-I-Sikandari and wrote person verses
under the Gulrukhi.
He was sucedded by Ibrahim Lodhi(1517-26) who deeated by Babur in the first Battle of Panipat in AD 1526 Babur was invited by
the governor of Punjab, Daulat Khan Lodhi.
IMPORTANT ARCHITECTURE OF DELHI SULTANATE
Quwat-ul-Islam Mosque(Delhi) – Qutubuddin Aibak ( first mosque of India).
Adhai din ka Jhonpra(Ajmer) – Qutubuddin Aibak.
Qutub Minar(Delhi) – started by Qutubuddin Aibak and completed by Illtumish (in the memory of Sufi Saint Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar
Kaki).
Sultan Garhi – Illtumish (father of tomb building).
Jahapanha city(Delhi) – Mohammad bin Tughlaq.
Tughlaqabad(Delhi) – Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.
Atala Devi Masjid(Jaunpur)- Ibrahim Shah Sharqi.
Gol Gumbaz(Bijapur)- Tomb of Mohammad Ali Shah.
RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS
Bhakti Moment
The bhkti moment which stressed mystical union of the individual wih God had been initiated in South India by popular Saint, Poet
called Alvars who represented emotional side of Vaishnavism through collective songs called prabandhas
Ramanuja(AD 1017-1137)
In 11th century Ramanuja tried to assimailate bhakti to the tradition of Vedas according to him Moksha (Salvation) lies through Karma
Gyan and Bhkti he gave the concept of Vashishtadvaita.
Namdeva(AD 1270-1350)
He was a nirgunaupasaka some of his Abhangas are included in Guru Granth Sahib.
Ekanath(AD 1533-99)
Born in Patan in Aurangabad published the first receivable edition of Ganesvari(Marathi Geeta). He condemned cast system and
accepted disciple from lower casts.
Tukaram(AD 1598-1650)
Contemporary f Shivaji, greatest Marathi bhakti poet and his views were similar to that of Kabir, great devotee of Vithal a form of
God Vishnu.
Ramadas(AD1608-1681)
He was spiritual guru of Shivaji, established ashram all over India, he wrote the Dasabodha. A didactic work which gave advice on all
aspects of life.
Gurunanak(AD 1469-1538)
Founder of Sikh faith in India. He was born in Talwandi now Nankana Sahib to a Khatri family, he composed hymns and sang them
with the help of a Rabab. He led emphasis on one God by repeating his namewith love and devotion. One could get salvation without
distinction of caste creed and sect. He was against adolatari undertaking pilgrimage and other situalistic conduct.
Vallabhacharya(AD 1479-1531)
He led on the worship ofKrishna as an incarnation of the Allmighty God, lived in the court of krishnadeva of Vijaynagar. He taught
that there was no difference in aatma and paramatma by means of bhakti one can get salvation and merge in him. He founded the
Pushti sect etc.
Ramananda(15th century)
The founder of bhkti movement in North India. He discarde caste rules and included amng his disciples men of all castes. He was
greatly influenced by teaching of Ramanuja among his desiciples were Raidas the cobbler, kabir the weaver, Dhanna the farmer,Sena
the barber and Pipa the Rajput
Kabir(AD 1440 1510)
He was a weaver represent nirguna bhakti tradition, his followers organise dthemselves as Kabir Panthis, his teachings contained
Dohas which are sung till today.
Chaitanya(AD 1486-1533)
Born in Nadiya district of West Bengal, regarded as founder of modern Vaishnav sect of Bengal he preached during the reign of
Sultan Allauddin Shah of Bengal and Gajapati ruler of Orrisa. His biography is chaitanya charitra mala. Philosophy of Chaitanya was
called Achityabhedaveda.
Surdas(AD 1483-1563)
Desciple of Vallabhacharya and devotee of lord Krishna and Radha. He wrote sursuravali shahitya ratna and sur sagar( belonged to
Shaguna school/)
Shankardev
Chaitanya of assam, mono theist and worshipped Krishna.
Dadu Dayal
Nirguna bhakti tradition founded Brahma sampradaya and Para brahma sampradaya preached service to humanity.
Nimbarakachrya
Worshiper of Krishna and Radha and contemporary to Ramanuja
Madhavacharya
According to him the release from transmigration can be secured only by means of knowledge and devotion. Jayatirtha was his
successor
Mirabai
Married to bhojraj she was Rathore princess of Mewata and daughter in law of Rana Sanga of Mewar. She belonged to Krishna cult
of Vaishnavism
Tulsidas(AD 1532-1623)
Born in Brahmin family inVaranasi and belonged to Ram Bhakti cult of Vaishnavism. He wrote Ramcharitra manas, geetavali,
kavitawali, vinaypatrika etc.
Narsimgh Mehta
Saint from Gujarat who wrote songs in gujarati depicting the love of Radha and Krishna. He authored Mahatma Gandhis favourite
Bhajan Vaishnava Jan ko
Purandar Das(AD 1480-1564)
Vaishnav saint, composer of Karnataka who laid the foundation of Karnatic music .
THE MUGHALS (1526-1540 and 1555-1857)
INTRODUCTION:
The Mughal empore began with the Babur’s victory over Ibrahim Lodhi in the Battle of Panipat in 1526. Unlike the fractious
Sultanate period when the state resembled a state of war, the Mughal rule is regarded as the time when contentious issues of religion
and politics were placed in the back burner and the splendour of monarchy took the centre stage. The important ruler of that time
were:
1. BABUR (1526- 1530): Babur was the founder of Mughal dynasty, born in Farghana (Central Asia) in 1483 belonged to the
princely family of mixed Mongol and Turkish blood. He made five expeditions in India to establish his kingdom, in the fifth he
succeeded to do so.
First Expedition (1519): Captured Bhira where gun powder was used for the first time. Babur left Bhira in charge of the Hindu
Beg but the latter was soon expelled by the natives hence the expedition proved unsuccessful.
Second Expedition (1519): In the same year in September Babur again marched through the Khyber in order to subdue the
Yusufzai and make occupy Peshawar. But he was recalled by a disturbing news from Badakhshan hence putting the second
attempt also in failure.
Third Expedition (1552): In the third attempt Babur finally captured Kandahar and put his son Kamran in charge.
Fourth Expedition(1524): Daulat Khan the governor of Punjab was getting very powerful, Sultan Ibrahim Lodhi summoned him
to Delhi but he did not appeared personally. To protect himself form Sultan’s wrath he invited Babur to dethrone Ibrahim Lodhi.
Fifth Expedition (1525): Babur for the last time crossed the frontier of India with a huge army he had ever led in Hindustan.
Ibrahim came form Delhi and Babur form Ambala and fought the First Battle of Panipat.
Important Battles Fought by Babur:
Battle of Panipat (1526): Defeated Ibrahim Lodhi.
Battle of Khanwa (1527): Defeated Rana Sanga of Mewar.
Battle of Chanderi (1528): Defeated Medini Rai of Kabul
Battel of Ghaghra (1529): Defeated Nusrat Shah of Bengal
Architectural Development:
Built two mosques: one at Kabulibag in Panipat and another at Sambhal in Rohilkhand
2. HUMAYUN (1530-1556): Humayun was the son of Babur who inherited Babur’s kingdom. Some important battles fought by
him were:
Expedition of Kalinjar (1531): Humayun besieged the fort of Kalinjar in Bundelkhan, the ruler provided him with a huge
indemnity
Battle of Dauhariya (1532): Defeated Mahmood Lodhi the ruler of Bihar
Siege of Chunar (1532): Besieged the fort of Chunar under Sher Shah Suri, who offered a nominal submission, which proved to
be a mistake on part of Humayun to accept it
Wars with Bahadur Shah (1535-1536): Bahadur Shah annexed Malwa in 1531, captured Chittor in 1533, Rani Karnawati
appealed to Humayun for help by sending him a Rakhi. Humayun defeated Bahadur Shah.
Battle of Chausac(1539): Humayun was moving to Agra where he was blocked by Sher Khan where Humayun was defeated.
Battle of Kanauj (1540): Humayun and his brother Kamran decided to fight Sher Khan but due to differences between the
brothers Humayun fought alone and lost. Sher Khan became the ruler of Delhi and Agra.
Architectural Development:
(i) Laid the foundation of the city Din Panah at Delhi.
(ii) Humayun’s tomb is called the prototype of Taj Mahal. It has a double dome of marble, while the central dome is octagonal. It
was built by his widow Haji Begum.
3. AKBAR (1556-1605): Akbar was crowned at Kalanaur at an age of 13, Bairam Khan the tutor of the prince became the Wakil
of the kingdom with the title of Khan-i-Khana.
Second Battle of Panipat (1556): Fought with Hem Chandra Vikramaditya who was the former prime minister and chief
commander under Adil Shah. Hemu defeated Bengal emperor Mohammad Shah all by himself hence forth had intentions of
winning Delhi for himself, hence fought with the Mughals and was defeated.
Nine Jewels of Akbar’s Court (Nav Ratna)
(i) Abdul Rahim: Hindu and Turki scholar, remembered for collection of dohas. He translated Baburnama in Turki.
(ii) Abul Fazal: Advisor(Vazir) of Akbar, known for Akbarnama. Younger brother of Faizi
(iii) Birbal: Original name Mahesh Dass was an advisor of Akbar’s court. He was well known for this wit. Died while fighting
with the Yousufzai tribe in North-West.
(iv) Faizi: Poet and scholar, translated Leelawati (Sanskrit book of Mathematics) into Persian, he also was a tutor to Akbar’s sons.
(v) Hamim Humman: Friend of Akbar, chief of royal school (pathsala).
(vi) Raja Man Singh: Rajput general, helped Akbar with the decisions regarding battle.
(vii) Shaikh Mubarak: A sufi brain behind Akbar’s Mahzar.
(viii) Tansen: Sangeet samrat, titled ‘Mian’ by Akbar.
(ix) Todar Mal: Finance minister, expertise in land revenue matter.
Architectural Development:
(i) Buildings: Agra Fort, Lahore Palace, Fatehpur Sikri, Buland Darwaza, Allahabad Fort.
(ii)The architecture of Fatehpur Sikri is an excellent Persian, Central Asian, Indian(Gujrat and Bengal) styles. It is also known as
Epic poem in Red Sandstone.
(iii) Two unusual buildings at Fatehpur Sikri are Panch Mahal and Diwan-i-Khas.
(iv) Buland Darwaza( builtafter Gujarat victory), formed the main entrance of Fatehpur Sikri
(v) Haroon Minar, tower built by Akbar in memory of his elephant Haroon.
(vi) He started building his own tomb in Sikandara which was later finished by Jahangir.
4. JAHANGIR (1605-1627): Akbar’s son Salim(Jahangir) inherited the throne. He was an alcoholic and did not paid more
attention to political issues but adhered to his wife’s decision. His son Khusrau revolted against him, Jahangir marched to Lahore
and imprisoned him, Sikh Guru Arjun was executed for the same reason. Jahangir married Mihr-un-nisa who came to be known as
Nur Mahal and later Nur Jahan. At a point Jahangir fell sick due to his alcoholism and asthama problem this is when Nur Jahan
took active interest in the matter of the state. Infact the coins were jointly issiued in the names of Nur Jahan and Jahangir.
Important painters of this time were Abul Hasan and Mansur.
Architectural Development:
(i) Both Jahangir and Shah Jahan adopted the Indo Persian style of architecture.
(ii) Nur Jahan built the Itimad-ul-Daula’s(Mirza Ghiyas Beg) marble tomb at Agra (It was the first usage of pietra dura).
(iii) Jahangir built Moti Masjid in Lahore and his own Mausoleum at Shshdara(Lahore).
(iv) He changed the plan of Akbar’s tomb in Sikandara. It is an unusual tomb without a dome but built in the style of a Buddhist
Pagoda.
5. SHAH JAHAN: Jahangir’s son Shah Jahan, after putting an end to his nephew (Khusrau’s son) found himself undisputed
possession of the throne. During his reign, the authority of the emperor was not seriously challenged and there were no foreign
invasion. But the administration and economic conditions were deteriorating. He married Mumtaj/Anjumand Baanu Begum in
1612. After the death of Mumtaj Mahal he made Taj Mahal in her memories. He also ordered the creation of the Peacock throne
which contained a ton of gold and 500 pounds of rubies and diamond studdings that took almost 7 years for completion.
Architectural Development:
(i) Taj Mahal at Agra. Ustad Isa was the master architect under whose guidance Taj Mahal was built. It took almost 22 years to
completely build.
(ii) Jama Masjid of Delhi, made of sand stone
(iii) Moti Masjid,(only mosque of marble), Khaas Mahal, Musamman Burz(Jasmine palace where he spent his last years of
captivity) ans Sheesh Mahal (mosaic glass on walls and ceilings).
(iv) Laid the foundation of Shahjahanbad in 1637 where he built Red Fort.
(v) Most richly ornamented building in Red Fort was Diwan-i-Khas or Rang Mahal.
6. AURANGZEB (1658-1707): Aurangzeb was the son of Shah Jahan. He was made the governor of Deccan, Gujarat, present
day Afghanistan and Tajakistan. As soon as he got chance he along with his young brother Murad Bakhsha killed his elder brother
Dara Shuka (whom Shah Jahan used to favour) and imprisoned his father then after he drew a conspiracy against Murad Bakhsha
and imprisoned him as well. He ruled for 50 years, for about 25 years he made desparate efforts to crush the Marathas.
Architectural Development:
(i) Only building built by Aurangzeb in the Red Fort is Moti Masjid.
(ii) He built Bibi Ka Makbara which is the tomb of his wife Rabbia-ud-Daura in Aurangabad.
(iii) Badshahi Mosque in Lahore.
7. LATER MUGHALS: Bahadur Shah I, Jahandar Shah, Farrukhsiyar, Mohammad Shah,Ahmed Shah, Alamgir, Shah Alam II,
Akbar Shah II, Bahadur Shah II
GARDENS OF MUGHAL ERA:
Laying out beautiful gardens is one of the major contributions of Mughals in India. Babur contributed the Nur-i-Afsan in Agra,
Jahangir is famous for the Shalimar Garden at Srinagar, Nur jahans brother Asaf Khan laid out the foundation of Nishant Bagh.
PAINTINGS:
In the reign of Babur and Humayun the paintings were totally of Persian origin, in Akabar’s reign due to the religios tolerance and
friendly relations between hindu and Muslims the paintings were both Persian and Indian styles, in Jahangir’s reign the Indian
influence became dominant.
 Humayun undertook two important painters Mir Syed Ali and Addus Samad. These painters painted the famous Dastan-i-AmirHamzah.
 Baswan, Daswant, Haribans, Abdus Samad and Farruk Beg were famous painters of Akbar’s court.
 Apart from illustrating the famous book of fables(Humzanama), the painters illustrated Razmnamah(Mahabharata) and
Akbarnama.
 During the reign of Jahangir Indian style of paintings developed. Portrait painting reached its apex. Aga Raja, Muhammad Nadir,
Muhammad Murad, Manohar, Bishan Das and Goverdhan were famous painters during Jahangir.
 The Rajput School of Painting was developed in Jaipur. In it faliliar and popular themes have been taken and an effort has been
made to show or depict an ordinary citizen, his religious rites and amusements.
 The Kangra School of Painting was also developed during these times, the theme relates to hindu god and goddesses in this art.
Many subjects are selected from the Hindu religious books like the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Ram Mala, Geet Govind etc.
Similarly beautiful paintings of Shiva-Parvati, Radha-Krishna were produced.
LITERATURE:
 Persian Literature:.
 Tuzuk-i-Baburi: Auto biography of Babur
 Humayun Nama: Humayun’s sister Gulbadan Begum
 Famous writers and poets of Jahangirs court were Mirza Ghias Beg, Naqib Khan, Mutamid Khan, Niamtullah, Abdul Haq
Dehlvi
 Translation of many Sanskrit books into Persian language was done during the reign of Akbar. Some of the books and their
translators were:
I.
Ramayana: Badauni
II.
Lilavati: Faizi
III.
Atharva Veda: Hazi Ibrahim Sarhindi
 In Shah Jahan’s reign important works were ‘Padshah Nama’, ‘Shahjahan Nama’,’Alami-i-Sahil’
 During Aurangzeb’s reign many historical books were written, but the completion of these books were prohibited by law.
 Hindi Literature:
 Malik Mohammad Jayasi wrote a political composition ‘Padamavat’ on Padmani the quuen of Mewar.
 Ramcharitmanas: Tulsi Das
 Sur Sagar (childhood of Lord Krishna and true love of Radha and Krishna): Sur Das
 Sunder Sringar: Sunder( Shah Jahan entitled him ‘Kaviraj’ and ‘Maha Kavi’.
 Sanskrit Literaure:
 Akbar was the first Mughal who patronized Sanskrit as well as Hindi
 The first Sanskrit-Persian dictionary named ‘Parsi Prakash’ was compiled.
 Jagannath Pandit, Kavindra, Acharya Saraswati and Vedangacharya were famous writers of Jahangir time.