Medieval History : Short Notes [ Based on PYQs of BPSC/UPPSC & MPPSC ]

• Gupta Period (c. 4th–6th Century CE)

  Land Measures:
  • Metal rod or rope of same length used in land measurement was called Nal.
  • Patak: Big measure of land.
  • Dhanu and Danda: Other land measures.
  • Aadhavapa, Dronavapa, Kulyavapa, Nal, Nivartan, Angul used in land measurements.
  • Angul: Smallest unit of land measurement.
• Taxes & Coins:
  • Haranya/Hiranya: Tax paid in cash (gold).
  • Nikkha, Karshapana, Pana: Coins used in 6th century BCE (Mahajanapadas period).
  • Karshapana: Mentioned in Panini’s Ashtadhyayi.
• Religion & Culture:
  • Gupta Dynasty promoted Hinduism while supporting Buddhist and Jain cultures.

• ---

  Early Medieval Dynasties & Polities

  Gahadavala Dynasty:
  • Ruled Gangetic plains, capital at Kanyakubja (Kannauj).
• Chandellas (9th–13th CE):
  • Founded by Nannuka, ruled Jejakabhukti (Bundelkhand).
  • Built Kandariya Mahadev Temple (1050 CE) at Khajuraho.
  • Capital later shifted to Mahoba.
  • Last ruler Paramardi defeated by Qutbuddin Aibak (1203 CE).
• Chauhans (Chahamanas):
  • Ruled Ajmer and Delhi (600–1200 CE), founded by Vasudeva Chauhan.
• Rathores of Kannauj:
  • Ruled 1090–1194 CE, prominent ruler Jaichand.
• Guhillas (Sisodiyas) of Mewar:
  • Founded by Bappa Rawal (8th century).
  • Capital: Chittor.
  • Rawal Ratan Singh invaded by Alauddin Khalji (1303 CE).
  • Maharana Pratap: 54th ruler of Mewar.
• Tomars:
  • Ruled Delhi–Haryana (8th century–1200 CE), key ruler Anangapala I.
• Bhinmal Pratiharas:
  • Founder: Raja Nagabhata I.
• Delhi Capitals:
  • First under Tomar Rajputs, later defeated by Chauhans.
  • Commercial center in 12th century.
• Sultans & Rulers:
  • Sultan Mahmud of Ghazni (1000–1027 AD) invaded India 17 times; attacked Somnath temple (1024 AD).
  • Zain-ul-Abdin, ruler of Kashmir, abolished Jizya and cow slaughter.
  • Raziyya Sultan (1236): Daughter of Iltutmish, praised by Minhaj-i-Siraj.
  • Sikandar Lodi: Abolished zakat.
• Policy of Paramountcy:
  • Introduced by Lord Hastings.

• ---

  Maratha Administration & Revenue System

  • Chauth: Annual tax of 25% revenue from subordinate kingdoms.
  • Sardeshmukhi: 1/10th land revenue over all deshmukhs, claimed by Shivaji.
  • Bhamani Kingdom: Divided into Tarafs (Provinces).

• ---

  Cholas & South Indian Administration

  • Taniyurs: Large villages, distinct revenue units.
  • Village autonomy: Key feature of Chola administration.

• ---

  Vijayanagar Empire (1336–1646 CE)

  • Kalyan Mandapas: Architectural feature.
  • Amara Nayaka system: Political innovation.
  • Motupalli port: Important port under Kakatiya dynasty.
  • Tuluva Dynasty (1505–29):
    • Vira Narasimha (1505–09)
    • Krishnadeva Raya (1509–29): Duarte Barbosa & Domingo Paes visited.
  • Achyuta Deva Raya (1529–42): Brother of Krishnadeva Raya; Fernao Nuniz visited.
  • Women skilled in wrestling, astrology, accounting, soothsaying.

• ---

  Vijayanagar – European Contact

  • 1510 AD: Afonso de Albuquerque captured Goa from Ismail Adil Shah, helped by Krishnadeva Raya.
  • 1639 AD: English East India Company established Madras factory on land leased from Nayakas of Vijayanagar.

• ---

  Coins & Trade

  • Hundi: Bill of exchange, post-Harsha period.
  • Tri-metal coinage system: Introduced by Sher Shah Suri.

• Al-Biruni: Barriers in understanding India – language differences (Sanskrit vs Arabic–Persian), religious differences, self-absorption of locals.
• Ibn Battuta: Moroccan traveler, visited India during Muhammad Bin Tughlaq (1325–1351); travelogue: Rihla.
• Duarte Barbosa: Portuguese traveler and writer.

Mahmud of Ghazni

• Came from Ghazi (Afghanistan).
• Invaded India 17 times (1000–1027 AD).
• Attacked Somnath temple (1024 AD) with 5000 soldiers; looted wealth, destroyed temple.

Literature & Culture

• Tulsidas (16th century): Hindi poet-saint, wrote Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi.
• Geetika: Not authored by Tulsidas (wrongly attributed).
• Yogavasistha: Translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during Akbar’s reign.
• Abhijnanashakuntalam: First translated into English by Sir William Jones.
• Kumarasambhavam by Kalidasa: Story of Shiva-Parvati son, references Sati system.

Religious & Social Movements

• Tauhid-i-Ilahi (Akbar): Promoted religious harmony between Hindus and Muslims.
• 12 Alvars & 63 Nayanars:
  • Alvars opposed Buddhism & Jainism.
  • Nayanars opposed Brahminical domination, Jainism & Buddhism.
• Nathpanthis: Medieval yogis practicing Hatha yoga, focused on formless salvation.
• Kabir (1425–?): Mystic poet-saint.

Mughal & Medieval Battles

• Battle of Bilgram (1540): Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun.
• Battle of Sarnal (1572): Mughals vs Muhammad Husain Mirza.
• Battle of Dharmat (1658): Aurangzeb defeated Dara Shikoh.
• Battle of Jajau (1707): Mughal succession after Aurangzeb’s death.

Rana Sanga Battles:

• Battle of Khatoli (1517): Rana Sanga vs Ibrahim Lodi.
• Battle of Khanwa (1527): Rana Sanga vs Babur.

Delhi & Regional Capitals:

• Ahmedabad (1411): Founded by Ahmed Shah.
• Mustafabad (1458): Founded by Mahmud Begada.
• Musrshidabad: Founded by Akbar.
• Fatehpur Sikri: Akbar’s capital.

Administrative Systems

• Iqta system: Revenue collection; Muqti maintained troops; info from Siyasatnama.
• Policy of Paramountcy: Introduced by Lord Hastings.

Vijayanagar & Kakatiyas

• Kakatiyas (12th CE):
  • Rudradeva I (1083–1323), Warangal.
  • Temples: Rudramdevi & Ganapati Deva, Thousand Pillar Temple/Rudreswara (Trikutalayam, star-shaped, Vishnu/Shiva/Surya), Ramappa Temple.
  • Golkonda Fort.
• Amara Nayaka system: Political innovation in Vijayanagara Empire.

European Contacts

• Duarte Barbosa & Domingo Paes: Visited Vijayanagar during Tuluva Dynasty (1505–29).
• Achyuta Deva Raya (1529–42): Brother of Krishnadeva Raya; European traders noted women's skills in wrestling, astrology, accounting, soothsaying.
• 1510 AD: Afonso de Albuquerque captured Goa, assisted by Krishnadeva Raya.
• 1639 AD: English East India Company established Madras factory (land leased from Vijayanagara Nayakas).

Revenue & Coins

• Hundi: Bill of exchange post-Harsha.
• Tri-metal coinage system: Introduced by Sher Shah Suri.

Hindu-German Conspiracy / Zimmerman Plan (1914–17)

• Leaders: Har Dayal, Maulana Barkatullah, Virendranath Chattopadhyay, Raja Mahendra Pratap, Bhai Parmanand.
• Berlin Committee established in 1915.

Chola Administration

• Village autonomy: Feature of Chola administration.
• Taniyurs: Large villages and distinct revenue units under Cholas.

Chandellas & Successor States

• Chandellas (9th–13th CE): Founded by Nannuka, ruled Jejakabhukti (Bundelkhand).
  • Built Kandariya Mahadev Temple (1050 CE), Khajuraho.
  • Capital later shifted to Mahoba.
  • Last ruler Paramardi, defeated by Qutbuddin Aibak (1203 CE).
• Bundelas: Emerged in Orchha.
• Baghels: Emerged in Bandhavgarh.

Rajput Dynasties

• Chauhans (Chahamanas): Ruled Ajmer & Delhi (600–1200 CE), founded by Vasudeva Chauhan.
• Rathores of Kannauj: Ruled 1090–1194 CE, prominent ruler Jaichand.
• Guhillas (Sisodiyas) of Mewar: Founded by Bappa Rawal (8th CE), capital Chittor.
• Rawal Ratan Singh (Mewar): Invaded by Alauddin Khalji (1303 CE).
• Maharana Pratap: 54th ruler of Mewar.

Pratiharas & Bhinmal Branch

• Raja Nagabhata I: Founder of Bhinmal branch of Pratiharas.

Sultanates & Dynasties

• Tomars: Ruled Delhi–Haryana (8th CE – 1200 CE), important ruler Anangapala I.
• Raziyya Sultan (1236): Daughter of Iltutmish, praised by Minhaj-i-Siraj.
• Sikandar Lodi: Abolished zakat.
• Nizam Shahi dynasty: Ruled Ahmednagar.
• Zain-ul-Abdin (Kashmir): Abolished Jizya and cow slaughter.

Marathas – Taxes

• Chauth: Annual tax 25% revenue from subordinate kingdoms.
• Sardeshmukhi: Shivaji’s claim of 1/10th land revenue over all deshmukhs.

Delhi Capitals & Commercial Centers

• First capital: Tomar Rajputs → later defeated by Chauhans (Ajmer).
• Delhi: Became major commercial center.
• 1236: Raziyya Sultan, capable ruler.

Political Leaders

• Rana Hamir – Mewar
• Rana Chunda – Marwar
• Malika Raja Farooqui – Khandesh
• Malika Sarwar Khawaja Jahan – Jaunpur

Patronage & Music

• Tansen: Patronage before Akbar by Raja Ramchandra Singh of Bhata.

Summary of Administrative Features

• Iqta system: Revenue collection; Muqti maintained troops.
• Policy of Paramountcy: Introduced by Lord Hastings.

Key Battles

• Battle of Bilgram (1540): Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun.
• Battle of Sarnal (1572): Mughals vs Muhammad Husain Mirza.
• Battle of Dharmat (1658): Aurangzeb defeated Dara Shikoh.
• Battle of Jajau (1707): Mughal succession after Aurangzeb.
• Battle of Chandwar (1194): Jaichand vs Muhammad Ghori (Jaichand killed).
• Battle of Khatoli (1517): Rana Sanga vs Ibrahim Lodi.
• Battle of Khanwa (1527): Rana Sanga vs Babur.

Founding of Cities

• Ahmedabad (1411): Founded by Ahmed Shah.
• Mustafabad (1458): Founded by Mahmud Begada.
• Musrshidabad: Founded by Akbar.
• Fatehpur Sikri: Capital of Akbar.

Vijayanagar Empire

• Tuluva Dynasty (1505–1529):
  • Vira Narasimha (1505–1509)
  • Krishnadeva Raya (1509–1529): Visited by Duarte Barbosa and Domingo Paes.
• Achyuta Deva Raya (1529–1542): Brother of Krishnadeva Raya; visited by Fernao Nuniz. Noted for women skilled in wrestling, astrology, accounting, and soothsaying.
• Amara Nayaka system: Political innovation of Vijayanagar Empire.
• Kalyan Mandapas: Architectural feature.
• Motupalli port: Important port under Kakatiya dynasty.

Kakatiya Dynasty (12th CE – 14th CE)

• Rudradeva I, Warangal (1083–1323)
• Temples: Rudramdevi & Ganapati Deva, Thousand Pillar Temple / Rudreswara (Trikutalayam, star-shaped, Vishnu/Shiva/Surya), Ramappa Temple
• Golkonda Fort

European Contact

• Afonso de Albuquerque (1510): Captured Goa from Ismail Adil Shah with help of Krishnadeva Raya.
• English East India Company (1639): Established Madras factory on land leased from Nayakas of Vijayanagara Empire.
• Portuguese Travelers: Duarte Barbosa, Fernao Nuniz visited Vijayanagar.
• Al-Biruni: Documented barriers in India; Mahmud of Ghazni attacked Somnath temple (1024).
• Yogavasistha: Translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during Akbar’s reign.

Revenue & Coinage

• Hundi: Bill of exchange developed post-Harsha period.
• Tri-metal coinage system: Introduced by Sher Shah Suri.

Medieval Literature & Yogis

• Nathpanthis: Medieval yogis practicing Hatha Yoga, focused on formless salvation.
• 12 Alvars & 63 Nayanars: Alvars opposed Buddhism & Jainism; Nayanars opposed Brahminical domination, Jainism & Buddhism.
• Literature:
  • Abhijnanashakuntalam: World-class literary work, translated into English by Sir William Jones.
  • Kumarasambhavam by Kalidasa: Story of birth of Shiva-Parvati’s son, references Sati system.

Later Medieval Policies

• Iqta system: Revenue collection; Muqti maintained troops.
• Policy of Paramountcy: Introduced by Lord Hastings.

Hindu-German Conspiracy / Zimmerman Plan (1914–17)

• Leaders: Har Dayal, Maulana Barkatullah, Virendranath Chattopadhyay, Raja Mahendra Pratap, Bhai Parmanand
• Berlin Committee established in 1915

Gupta Period: Land Measures & Revenue

• Land Measures:
  • Nal: Metal rod or rope of same length used for measurement.
  • Patak: Large measure of land.
  • Dhanu & Danda: Other land measures.
  • Aadhavapa, Dronavapa, Kulyavapa, Nal, Nivartan, Angul: Used as land measurements.
  • Angul: Smallest land measurement.
• Taxes & Coins:
  • Haranya/Hiranya: Tax paid in cash (gold).
  • Karshapana, Nikkha, Pana: Coins used in 6th century BCE during Mahajanapadas; Karshapana mentioned in Panini’s Ashtadhyayi.
• Religion: Gupta dynasty promoted Hinduism but also supported Buddhist and Jain cultures.

Trade & Ports

• Motupalli Port: Important port under Kakatiya dynasty.
• Hundi: Bill of exchange developed post-Harsha period.
• Taniyurs: Large villages, distinct revenue units under Cholas.

Medieval Taxes & Revenue

• Chauth: 25% annual tax by Maratha kings from subordinate kingdoms.
• Sardeshmukhi: 1/10th land revenue over villages; Shivaji’s claim over deshmukhs.
• Iqta system: Revenue collection; Muqti maintained troops.
• Amara Nayaka system: Political innovation under Vijayanagar Empire.

Key Coins & Currency Systems

• Tri-metal coinage system: Introduced by Sher Shah Suri.

Religion, Philosophy & Culture

• Tauhid-i-Ilahi: Introduced by Akbar to promote religious harmony.
• 12 Alvars & 63 Nayanars:
  • Alvars opposed Buddhism & Jainism.
  • Nayanars opposed Brahminical domination, Jainism & Buddhism.
• Nathpanthis: Medieval yogis practicing Hatha yoga, focused on formless salvation.
• Tulsidas (16th century): Author of Ramcharitmanas in Awadhi; Geetika wrongly attributed.
• Kabir (1425–1518): Mystic poet and social reformer.
• Literature:
  • Abhijnanashakuntalam: First translated into English by Sir William Jones.
  • Kumarasambhavam (Kalidasa): Story of birth of Shiva-Parvati’s son, references Sati system.
• Yogavasistha: Translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during Akbar’s reign.

Travelers & Foreign Accounts

• Al-Biruni: Noted barriers due to language, religion, and local insularity; documented Mahmud of Ghazni’s attack on Somnath temple (1024).
• Ibn Battuta: Moroccan traveler; visited India during Muhammad Bin Tughlaq (1325–1351); wrote Rihla.
• Duarte Barbosa: Portuguese traveler and writer.
• Fernao Nuniz: Portuguese horse trader, noted Vijayanagar Empire.
• Afonso de Albuquerque (1510): Captured Goa from Ismail Adil Shah with Krishnadeva Raya’s help.
• English East India Company (1639): Factory at Madras, leased from Nayakas of Vijayanagara.

Consolidated Summary of Dynasties & Rulers

Gupta Period (c. 320–550 CE)

• Land Measures: Nal, Patak, Dhanu, Danda, Aadhavapa, Dronavapa, Kulyavapa, Nivartan, Angul (smallest)
• Taxes / Coins: Haranya/Hiranya (gold tax); Karshapana, Nikkha, Pana
• Religion: Hinduism promoted; Buddhism & Jainism supported

Post-Gupta / Early Medieval India

• Dantidurga: Performed Hiranyagarbha ritual, mid-8th century
• Cholas: Village autonomy; Taniyurs; Amara Nayaka system
• Kakatiyas (12th CE): Rudradeva I, Warangal; Temples – Rudramdevi, Ganapati Deva, Thousand Pillar Temple, Ramappa Temple, Golkonda Fort
• Vijayanagar Empire:
  • Krishnadeva Raya (1509–1529): Duarte Barbosa & Domingo Paes visited
  • Achyuta Deva Raya (1529–1542): Fernao Nuniz visited; women skilled in wrestling, astrology, accounting, soothsaying
  • Kalyan Mandapas: Architectural feature
  • Motupalli: Important port
• Tuluva Dynasty (1505–1529): Vira Narasimha (1505–09), Krishnadeva Raya (1509–29)

Delhi & Northern Dynasties

• Tomars (8th–1200 CE): Delhi–Haryana; Anangapala I
• Chauhans / Chahamanas: Ajmer & Delhi, 600–1200 CE, founded by Vasudeva Chauhan
• Rathores (Kannauj): 1090–1194 CE, Jaichand
• Chandellas (9th–13th CE): Nannuka; Bundelkhand; Kandariya Mahadev Temple (1050 CE); capital Mahoba; last ruler Paramardi defeated by Qutbuddin Aibak (1203 CE)
• Bundelas / Baghels: Post-Chandellas, Orchha & Bandhavgarh

Medieval Sultans & Mughals

• Mahmud of Ghazni (1000–1027 AD): 17 invasions; Somnath temple looted (1024)
• Raziyya Sultan (1236): Daughter of Iltutmish; praised by Minhaj-i-Siraj
• Sikandar Lodi: Abolished zakat
• Policy of Paramountcy: Lord Hastings
• Mughals – Key Battles:
  • Bilgram (1540): Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun
  • Sarnal (1572): Mughals vs Muhammad Husain Mirza
  • Dharmat (1658): Aurangzeb defeated Dara Shikoh
  • Jajau (1707): Mughal succession after Aurangzeb

Regional Kingdoms & Taxes

• Maratha Taxes: Chauth (25% revenue); Sardeshmukhi (1/10th land revenue)
• Bhamani Kingdom: Divided into Tarafs (Provinces)

Culture, Literature, and Religion

• Tulsidas (16th c.): Ramcharitmanas (Awadhi)
• Kabir (1425–1518): Mystic poet
• 12 Alvars & 63 Nayanars: Religious reformers
• Nathpanthis: Hatha yoga, formless salvation
• Literature:
  • Abhijnanashakuntalam (Kalidasa), first English translation by Sir William Jones
  • Kumarasambhavam (Kalidasa)
  • Yogavasistha translated to Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati (Akbar’s reign)
• Patronage to Tansen: Raja Ramchandra Singh of Bhata

Travelers

• Al-Biruni: Barriers in India; Mahmud of Ghazni attack
• Ibn Battuta: Muhammad Bin Tughlaq period (1325–1351); Rihla
• Duarte Barbosa, Fernao Nuniz: Vijayanagar Empire
• Afonso de Albuquerque (1510): Captured Goa, with Krishnadeva Raya
• English East India Company (1639): Madras factory leased from Nayakas

Coinage & Trade

• Tri-metal coinage: Sher Shah Suri
• Hundi: Post-Harsha bill of exchange
• Motupalli port: Kakatiya dynasty
• Taniyurs: Chola revenue units

Later Notes

• Rulers of Mewar / Marwar / Jaunpur / Khandesh: Rana Hamir, Rana Chunda, Malika Raja Farooqui, Malika Sarwar Khawaja Jahan
• Hindu-German Conspiracy / Zimmerman Plan (1914–17): Leaders – Har Dayal, Maulana Barkatullah, Virendranath Chattopadhyay, Raja Mahendra Pratap, Bhai Parmanand; Berlin Committee (1915)