Q1. What is meant by the medieval period in Indian history?
Answer:
The medieval period in Indian history refers to the era between the 11th and 17th centuries. It was marked by frequent foreign invasions, the rise and fall of dynasties, and continuous changes in India’s political boundaries. During this time, rulers from Central Asia, such as the Turks and Afghans, invaded India for wealth, territory, and to spread their own faiths. The period saw old kingdoms being destroyed and new empires emerging. Despite these conflicts, Indian society blended new ideas, creating a dynamic and diverse culture.
Q2. Who founded the Delhi Sultanate, and what were its main ruling dynasties?
Answer:
The Delhi Sultanate was founded in 1192 after Prithviraj Chauhan was defeated by Central Asian invaders. It was ruled by five successive Turkic-Afghan dynasties: the Mamluks (Slave dynasty), the Khiljis, the Tughlaqs, the Sayyids, and the Lodis. The Sultanate controlled large parts of northern India and faced resistance from kingdoms in the south and east. Its rule was marked by political instability, frequent wars, and a short average reign for each sultan.
Q3. What led to political instability during the Delhi Sultanate period?
Answer:
Political instability during the Delhi Sultanate period was mainly caused by violent successions and frequent wars. About two-thirds of the sultans gained power by killing their predecessors, resulting in short reigns averaging only nine years. Continuous expansion, raids, and plundering of villages and cities added to the instability. This constant turmoil weakened the authority of the sultans and made it difficult to maintain stable rule over the vast territories.
Q4. Why did Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s policies fail? (Long answer, sample)
Answer:
Muhammad bin Tughlaq, one of the most ambitious rulers of the Delhi Sultanate, introduced several reforms during his reign, but most failed and caused great hardship.
- He moved the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad in the hope of controlling his empire better. However, people were forced to relocate over 1,000 km, resulting in suffering and the eventual reversal of the move.
- Tughlaq introduced a token currency, making copper coins equal in value to silver and gold coins. This led to widespread counterfeiting, confusion, and a collapse of trust in trade.
- His schemes were not practical for the time; the disruption they caused led to economic instability.
Overall, Muhammad bin Tughlaq’s policies weakened administration, led to loss of revenue, and increased dissatisfaction among his subjects. It stands as an example of poor planning and execution in medieval Indian history.
Q5. Describe the military campaigns of Ala-ud-din Khilji.
Answer:
Ala-ud-din Khilji was a powerful ruler of the Delhi Sultanate who expanded his empire through continuous military campaigns. He repelled repeated Mongol invasions, protecting India from these fierce attackers. Khilji also launched raids into southern India, led by his slave general Malik Kafur, who conquered important kingdoms such as Srirangam, Madurai, and Chidambaram. These campaigns brought immense wealth that helped Khilji maintain a strong army and expand his control over large parts of India. His reign is remembered for aggressive expansion and formidable military power.
Q6. What was the impact of Timur’s invasion on the Delhi Sultanate?
Answer:
In the late 14th century, Timur, a Turkic-Mongol conqueror, invaded northern India and attacked Delhi fiercely. His invasion resulted in widespread destruction, mass killings, and enslavement of people. Timur plundered immense wealth from Delhi, leaving the city in ruins and creating political chaos. Although Timur withdrew after the attack, the Delhi Sultanate never fully recovered. The invasion weakened the Sultanate’s control and opened the way for the rise of new kingdoms and dynasties. This event marked the beginning of the decline of the Delhi Sultanate.
Q7. Explain the resistance offered by the Eastern Ganga kingdom against the Delhi Sultanate.
Answer:
The Eastern Ganga kingdom, located in present-day Odisha and nearby areas, strongly resisted the Delhi Sultanate’s attempts to expand into eastern India. Under the leadership of Narasimhadeva I, the kingdom successfully repelled repeated invasions and defeated the Sultanate’s governor of Bengal. Narasimhadeva I’s military strength and cultural achievements made the Eastern Ganga kingdom a symbol of resistance. To celebrate his victories, he built the famous Sun Temple at Konark, which stands as an architectural marvel and a symbol of pride for the people of the region.
Q8. How did the Vijayanagara Empire rise and maintain power in southern India?
Answer:
The Vijayanagara Empire was founded in the 14th century by brothers Harihara and Bukka, who declared independence from the Delhi Sultanate. The empire grew strong through capable leadership, military strength, and strategic diplomacy. It faced constant rivalry with the Bahmani Sultanate and its successor Deccan Sultanates, regularly engaging in battles to defend and expand its territory. Under King Krishnadevaraya in the 16th century, Vijayanagara reached its peak, with notable military victories and patronage of art, culture, and temple building. The empire became a center of political, cultural, and architectural achievements in southern India.
Q9. What were some of Akbar’s policies that promoted religious tolerance?
Answer:
Akbar, one of the greatest Mughal emperors, promoted religious tolerance through several policies:
- He abolished the jizya tax on non-Muslims, creating a more inclusive society.
- He encouraged peace between all religions by following the principle of sulh-i-kul, meaning “peace with all.”
- Akbar formed marriage alliances with Rajput princesses to build political ties and welcomed Hindu leaders into his court.
- He appointed people of different faiths to important administrative posts.
- Akbar also supported cultural projects like translating Hindu texts into Persian, fostering respect between communities.
These policies helped unite a diverse empire with many religions and cultures.
Q10. How did Aurangzeb’s religious policies affect the Mughal Empire?
Answer:
Aurangzeb, unlike his predecessor Akbar, adopted strict Islamic policies which negatively impacted the Mughal Empire:
- He reintroduced the jizya tax on non-Muslims, increasing their economic burden and resentment.
- Aurangzeb ordered the destruction of Hindu, Jain, and Sikh temples, causing unrest among these communities.
- He banned music and dance in his court, enforcing a rigid religious rule.
- His harsh policies led to widespread rebellions by groups such as the Rajputs, Jats, and Sikhs.
- These uprisings drained the empire’s resources and weakened its stability.
Aurangzeb’s religious intolerance significantly contributed to the decline of Mughal power after his death.
Q11. Who were the Rajputs, and what role did they play during the Mughal period?
Answer:
The Rajputs were warrior clans from northwest India known for their bravery and strong sense of independence. They played a significant role during the medieval period by resisting various foreign invaders and maintaining their regional power.
- They rebuilt kingdoms in areas like Mewar and Marwar after earlier invasions by the Khiljis.
- Rana Sanga was a great leader who united several Rajput clans and fought many battles to defend their lands, although he was defeated by Babur at the Battle of Khanwa.
- Maharana Pratap, another famous Rajput king, refused to accept Mughal rule and engaged in guerrilla warfare against the Mughals after his defeat at the Battle of Haldighati.
- Rajputs maintained their independence with help from tribal allies, including the Bhils, who provided archers and terrain knowledge.
- Even as some Rajput states allied with Mughals, many continued resisting, limiting Mughal control in Rajasthan.
This constant resistance helped preserve Rajput culture and autonomy during the Mughal era.
Q12. Describe the Ahom kingdom and their resistance against Mughal invasions.
Answer:
The Ahom kingdom was established in the 13th century in the Brahmaputra Valley of present-day Assam by migrants from Myanmar. They created a unique social and military system called the paik, where every able-bodied man was required to contribute labor or military service. This system helped build public infrastructure and maintain a large fighting force without a standing army.
- Ahoms used their knowledge of the difficult terrain—including forests, rivers, and hills—to resist Mughal and Sultanate attempts at expansion.
- One of their greatest military successes was the Battle of Saraighat in 1671, where the Ahom commander Lachit Borphukan led 10,000 Ahom soldiers to defeat a much larger Mughal army.
- Their victory preserved the independence of the Ahom kingdom and helped nurture Assam’s unique cultural identity.
- The Ahoms also promoted local agriculture, assimilated diverse cultures, and supported religious tolerance.
Their effective resistance made them one of the few kingdoms in medieval India to successfully resist Mughal domination.
Q13. How did Sikhism evolve into a martial community during Mughal rule?
Answer:
Sikhism began as a spiritual and peaceful movement founded by Guru Nanak in the 15th century, focusing on equality and devotion to one God. However, during Mughal rule, especially under emperors like Jahangir and Aurangzeb, Sikhs faced persecution, prompting a transformation into a martial community.
- The fifth Guru, Guru Arjan, was executed for supporting Mughal rebels, increasing hostility towards Sikhs.
- His son, Guru Hargobind, introduced martial training and formed a Sikh army to defend the community.
- Later, Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa in 1699, a brotherhood of warrior Sikhs committed to justice and protecting their faith.
- The Khalsa faced frequent battles against Mughal forces and strengthened Sikh identity through discipline and unity.
- This martial tradition ultimately helped the Sikhs establish a powerful empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the 19th century.
Thus, Sikhism evolved from spiritual teachings to include military resistance to protect their community’s rights.
Q14. What was the iqta system of administration under the Delhi Sultanate?
Answer:
The iqta system was a form of administrative and fiscal control used by the Delhi Sultanate to govern its vast territories.
- The sultan granted land (iqtas) to nobles called iqtadars, who collected taxes from the people living on that land.
- The collected revenue was mainly used to maintain the Sultan’s army and fund government expenses.
- Positions of iqtadars were not hereditary; they were appointed by the Sultan and could be replaced.
- While this system allowed the Sultanate to extend control over different areas, it often led to high tax burdens on peasants.
- The harsh tax collection, at times enforced by cruelty, caused hardship among the common people.
The iqta system was effective for managing the empire but also contributed to social and economic difficulties during the Sultanate period.
Q15. Explain Akbar’s mansabdari system and land revenue reforms.
Answer:
Akbar introduced the mansabdari system to organize the Mughal administrative and military framework efficiently.
- Mansabdars were ranked officers responsible for maintaining troops, horses, elephants, and camels as per their rank (mansab).
- They were paid through the assignment of jagirs, land revenues from certain areas, instead of direct salaries.
- This system allowed quick assembly of armies without a permanent standing military, improving flexibility and control.
- Akbar’s finance minister, Todar Mal, implemented land revenue reforms by conducting detailed land surveys and crop assessments.
- These reforms standardized revenue collection, set fair crop prices, and reduced corruption, resulting in a reliable income for the empire.
- Akbar also divided the empire into provinces called subahs, each managed by appointed officials overseeing finance, military, public works, and justice.
- Village-level governance continued with minimal interference, maintaining local stability.
The mansabdari and revenue systems strengthened the Mughal state, supporting territorial expansion and effective administration.
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