TNPSC Group 1 Notes - Indian History
SULTANATE PERIOD
1. Between 1206 to 1526 A.D. the Slaves, Khiljis, tughlaqs, Saiyyads and Lodhis ruled over a major part of India with their center at Delhi.
2. Slave dynasty is also called Yamini or Illbari Turk dynasty.
3. After the death Muhammad Ghur, his slave Qutubuddin Aibak came to power.
4. Qutubuddin Aibak was successful in thwarting the challenge of his adversaries and was crowned unofficially on 25th June, 1206. He was formally recognized after 3 years. He did not issue any coins. His capital was at Lahore and he was known as Lakhbaksh for his magnanimity. Hasan Nizami, the famous Historian adorned his court. He built the Quwat-ul-Islam mosque and the ‘Adhai din ka jhonpra’ in Delhi and Ajmer respectively. The former is considered the first mosque built in India. He started the construction of the Qutub Minar and constructed its first storey, but he died in 1210 while playing chaugan (Polo). The work was completed by his successor Iltutmish. This structure was built in memory of the sufi saint Khwaja Qutubuddin Bakhtiar Kaki.
5. After the death of Qutubuddin, Aram Shah ascended the throne but he was deposed and Iltutmish was crowned the new sultan. He was the real founder of Turkish rule in India. In 1228 Iltutmish received the patent of investiture from the Khalifa of Baghdad. Iltutmish declared Razia to be his successor. Chengizkhan invaded India during the period of Iltutmish.
6. Balban or Ulugh Khan (1246-1286) was a member of the Chahalgani founded by Iltutmish. In 1250 the Turkish nobles through a conspiracy outsted him from his post of Naib and put an Indian Muslim Immadudin Raihan in his place. However, Balban finally succeeded in gaining control after the death of Nasirudding Mahmud in 1265. To control the onslaught of the mangols he founded the Diwan-I-Arz or the military department. He started the Iranian system of Sajda and Paibos. He traced his ancestry, from Afrasiyab. He followed a policy of ‘blood and iron’. He destroyed the Mewati Rajput briandage. He called himself ‘Zil-illahi’ or shadow of God on earth and Nasir-amir-ul-momin or Caliphs right hand man. He destroyed the power of the Chahalganis and gave stern punishment to
violators of justice.
7. Jalaluddin (1290-96) founded the Khilji dynasty. He was the first sultan who had a benevolent attitude towards the Hindus. He crushed the rebellions Malik Chajju but lator pardoned him. He repelled the attack of Mongols under Abdullah. Mongols settled near Delhi and were called ‘New Mussalmans’ Sidi Maula, a darvesh was trampled by an elephant on the sultan’s orders.
8. He was assassinated by Ali Gurshasp (Alaudin Khilji) near Kara. He captured Gujarat in 1297 A.D. which was ruled by Rai Karan. He sacked Anhilwara and Somnath and married Kamala Devi, Queen of Rai Karan. He also captured Malik Kafur and took him to the royal court. In 1300, he captured Ranthambhor, which was under Hamirdeva. The women committed Jauhar, which was described by Amir Khusrau. It was the first Persian description of Jauhar. In 1303, Chittor under Ratan Singh was captured. Though some historians describe his infatuation for Padmini, the queen of Ratan Singh as the motive, it was Ratn Singh’s refusal to allow Alauddin’s army to pass through the territory which incensed the sultan. Khizr Khan was made the governor of Chittor which was renamed ‘Khizrabad’. Marwar and Jalor were also captured. In the Deccan, Malik Kafur attacked Devgiri (1306-07), Hoysala (1310- Veer Ballal) and pandayas (1311- Veer Pandya). Devagir was sacked a second time in 1313 when its ruler Sankardeva was killed. According to Amir Khusrau, Malik Kafur Marched as far as Rameshwaram. In 1311, Malik Kafur was given the title of ‘Malik naib’. Alauddin adopted the title ‘Sikandar-I-Sani’ and inscribed the same in his coins. According to Barni he also wanted to form a new religion. Amir Khusrau was given the title of ‘Tuti-i-Hind’ (Parrot of India) In the military field, he introduced the Dagh and Chehera system. He also introduced market reforms. He started the Diwan-IRiyasat (ministry of commerce), had three markets (I) Shahna-I-Mandi (grain market) (II) Sarai-I-Adl (cloth and groceries market), (III) Market for cattle, horses and slaves. No hoarding was allowed. Allauddin Khilji built the Alai Minar, Alai Minar, Alai Darwaza, city of Siri, Mahal hazaar Satoon and Jamait Khana Mosque. He was the first sultan in Delhi to fix land revenue in cash.
9. After murdering Khusrau Shah, Ghazi Malik or Ghyasuddin Tughlaq ascended the throne. He ruled from 1320-25. He sent his son Jauna Khan (Muhammad bin Tughlaq) to Warrangal. Jauna Khan also led a successful expedition to Jajnagar (Orissa). Gyasuddin Tughlaq was the first sultan to
start irrigation works.
10. After his death due to collapse of a wooden structure, Mohammad bin Tughlaq ascended the throne. Muhammad bin tughlaq (1324-1351) has been dubbed an ill-starred idealist’. Ziauddin Barni mentions his five experiments or campaigns. He transferred his capital from Deogir to Daultabad. In 1330 he introduced a token currency (Bronze coin) After repulsing an attack of Mongols he planned to occupy Khurasan and Iraq. He organized a huge army but later disbanded it. He set up a separate
department called ‘Diwan-I-amir-kohi’. He encouraged farmers to grow superior crops. He gave Sonadhar loans to farmers.
11. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq was succeeded by Firoz Tughlaq (1351-88). He employed a large number of slaves in his Karkhanas. He organized the ‘Diwan-I-Bandagan’ (department of slaves) He built cities like Hissar, Firoza, Firuzabad and Jaunpur. Ashokan pillars from Topra and Meerut were brought to Delhi. He built a number of canals (I) Sirsa to Hansi (II) Sutlej to Dipalpur (III) Yamuna to Sirmur. During his reign Kharaj (10% of produce) Zakat (alms for Muslims). Jaziya, Khams (20% of spoils of was) and Sharb (irrigation tax) were levied. He formed the Diwan-I-Khairat and built Dar-ul-Shafa or a charitable hospital.
12. The Lodi’s were the first Afghans to rule India. Bahlol Lodhi annexed the Sharqi empire and introduced the Bahloli copper coin. He ruled from 1451 to 1489 A.D.
13. He was succeeded by Sikandar Lodhi (1489-1517). His mother was Hindu. He introduced a new measurement yard called ‘Gazz-I-Sikandari’. He also founded Agra in 1504. He laid emphasis on justice. He wrote Persian verses under the name ‘Gulrukhi’. During his reign the prices of commodity was very cheap.
14. He was succeeded by Ibrahim Lodhi (1517-1526) He was defeated by Rana Sanga of Mewar. He was also defeated by Babur in the battle of Panipat in 1526. Babur was invited by the governor of Punjab Daulat Khan Lodhi.