The Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire — the major pan-Indian powers of the medieval period.
Five successive dynasties — Slave (Mamluk), Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi — ruled from Delhi, administering through the Iqta system (land revenue assignments in exchange for military service). Alauddin Khalji's market-control reforms and Muhammad bin Tughlaq's administrative experiments (including the failed capital shift to Daulatabad) are frequently tested facts.
Babur founded the empire in 1526 after the First Battle of Panipat. Akbar is remembered for policies of religious tolerance and administrative innovations like the Mansabdari system. Under Aurangzeb, the empire reached its largest territorial extent, but long-term decline also began during his reign.
While the Delhi Sultanate and Mughals were dominant in the north, South India during this period was shaped by regional powers — the Kakatiyas, Bahmani Sultanate, and Vijayanagara Empire — covered in depth under Ancient & Medieval Andhra History.
Download this topic's notes as a PDF, or search uploaded materials.
