Aurangzeb and Decline

  1. Aurangzeb (1658–1707) ascended the throne after defeating his brothers, including Dara Shikoh, in a bloody succession war.
  2. Aurangzeb adopted a policy of strict Islamic orthodoxy, reintroducing the jizya tax on non-Muslims in 1679.
  3. He expanded the empire to its greatest territorial extent, covering almost the entire Indian subcontinent.
  4. His military campaigns in the Deccan, against the Marathas and other regional powers, drained the empire's resources.
  5. Aurangzeb’s religious policies, incl

Jahangir and Shah Jahan

  1. Jahangir (1605–1627 CE) was the fourth Mughal Emperor, succeeding his father Akbar.
  2. Jahangir was originally named Prince Salim and took the title Nur-ud-din Muhammad Jahangir upon his ascension.
  3. His reign is noted for political stability, economic prosperity, and a flourishing of the arts.
  4. Jahangir was a patron of Mughal painting, which reached new heights under his rule, emphasizing naturalism and portraiture.
  5. His court painter, Ustad Mansur, was famous for his depictio

Babur and the First Battle of Panipat

  1. Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire in India.
  2. He was a descendant of Timur from his father’s side and Genghis Khan from his mother’s side.
  3. Babur ascended the throne of Fergana (modern Uzbekistan) at the age of 12 in 1494.
  4. After losing Samarkand multiple times, Babur turned his attention toward India.
  5. The political situation in India was fragmented, with the Lodhi dynasty in decline.
  6. Babur invaded India for the first time i

Bahmani Sultanate

  1. The Bahmani Sultanate was established in 1347 CE by Alauddin Bahman Shah, also known as Hasan Gangu.
  2. It was the first independent Muslim kingdom in the Deccan region, breaking away from the Delhi Sultanate.
  3. The capital of the Bahmani Sultanate was initially at Gulbarga (present-day Kalaburagi) and later shifted to Bidar in 1429 CE.
  4. The Sultanate comprised five main regions: Gulbarga, Bidar, Berar, Ahmednagar, and Bijapur.

Vijayanagara Empire

  1. Vijayanagara Empire was founded in 1336 by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama dynasty.
  2. The empire was established to resist the Muslim invasions and to protect Hindu culture and traditions.
  3. Harihara I and Bukka Raya I were originally feudatories of the Hoysala dynasty.
  4. The capital city, Vijayanagara, was located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in present-day Karnataka.
  5. The empire had four main dynasties: Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu.
  6. The reign of Krishna Deva Raya (1509–1529

Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)

  1. The Delhi Sultanate was established in 1206 by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the founder of the Slave Dynasty.
  2. It marked the beginning of Muslim rule in northern India.
  3. The Delhi Sultanate consisted of five main dynasties: Slave (Mamluk), Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi.
  4. Qutb-ud-din Aibak built the Qutub Minar and the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque.
  5. The Slave Dynasty (1206–1290) was characterized by the rule of Aibak, Iltutmish, and Razia Sultana.
  6. Razia Sultana (1236–1240) was the first and only

Cultural and Religious Developments

  • Temple Architecture: The period saw the evolution of Nagara, Dravida, and Vesara styles of temple architecture.
  • Bhakti Movement: The rise of devotional movements focused on Vishnu, Shiva, and Shakti, promoting personal devotion.
  • Buddhist Decline: Decline in royal patronage led to a reduction in Buddhist influence in India.
  • Tantric Practices: Emerged in both Hinduism and Buddhism, emphasizing rituals and esoteric practices.

Pratiharas, Palas, and Chauhans

  1. The Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty was known for its resistance to Arab invasions, especially under Nagabhata I.
  2. The Pratiharas were instrumental in defending western and northern India from external threats.
  3. Raja Mihira Bhoja was a prominent ruler of the Pratiharas, known for his administrative and military achievements.
  4. Kannauj was the capital of the Pratiharas and a significant center during the Tripartite Struggle.
  5. The Tripartite Struggle involved the Pratiharas, Palas, and Rashtrakutas vying for control