History of India

Maratha Empire

  1. Maratha Empire emerged as a dominant power in India during the 17th and 18th centuries.
  2. Shivaji Maharaj (1627–1680) was the founder of the Maratha Empire.
  3. Shivaji established a well-organized and disciplined administration based on the principles of justice and welfare.
  4. The Coronation of Shivaji in 1674 at Raigad marked the formal beginning of the Maratha Empire.
  5. Shivaji created a powerful navy to protect the western coastline from foreign invasions.
  6. He introduced Ashta P

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

Alauddin Khilji and Muhammad bin Tughlaq

  1. Alauddin Khilji (1296–1316 CE) was the second ruler of the Khilji dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.
  2. He implemented a strong central administration and sought to curb the power of the nobility and aristocracy.
  3. Alauddin Khilji is known for his market control policies to regulate the prices of essential goods.
  4. He introduced a well-organized spy system to maintain law and order.
  5. He launched military campaigns and annexed regions like Gujarat, Ranthambore, and Malwa.
  6. Alauddin Khilji is celebrated for hi

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.
History of India