Medieval India

📚 This topic overlaps across exams — read our in-depth, shared write-up: Decline of the Mughal Empire & Rise of Regional Powers →

📚 This topic overlaps across exams — read our in-depth, shared write-up: The Delhi Sultanate →

📚 This topic overlaps across exams — read our in-depth, shared write-up: The Mughal Empire →

📚 This topic overlaps across exams — read our in-depth, shared write-up: Regional Kingdoms & the Bahmani Sultanate →

📖 The Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526)

Established after Muhammad of Ghor's victory over Prithviraj Chauhan (Second Battle of Tarain, 1192), and consolidated by his general Qutb-ud-din Aibak, founder of the Slave (Mamluk) Dynasty. Five dynasties ruled in succession: Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi. Notable rulers include Alauddin Khilji (market reforms, Mongol defence) and Muhammad bin Tughlaq (known for ambitious but often failed administrative experiments, like shifting the capital to Daulatabad).

👑 The Mughal Empire (1526-1857)

Founded by Babur after his victory at the First Battle of Panipat (1526) over Ibrahim Lodi. After a brief interruption by Sher Shah Suri (who introduced key administrative reforms, including the Rupiya coin and the Grand Trunk Road), Mughal rule was restored under Humayun and reached its peak under Akbar, who is remembered for religious tolerance (Din-i-Ilahi, abolition of jizya) and administrative consolidation (the mansabdari system).

Later rulers — Jahangir, Shah Jahan (Taj Mahal), and Aurangzeb — saw the empire reach its greatest territorial extent under Aurangzeb, but also the beginning of its decline due to prolonged wars, religious intolerance, and administrative overreach.

🏰 Regional Kingdoms

Alongside the Sultanate and Mughals, powerful regional kingdoms flourished — the Vijayanagara Empire in the south (known for its patronage of art, temple architecture, and resistance to Deccan Sultanates), and the Maratha Empire, founded by Shivaji, which expanded rapidly after Aurangzeb's death and became the dominant power in 18th-century India before the rise of British influence.

💡 Key Facts

Delhi Sultanate: 5 dynasties — Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi (1206-1526).
Mughal Empire founded by Babur after the First Battle of Panipat, 1526.
Sher Shah Suri briefly interrupted Mughal rule and introduced key administrative reforms.
The Vijayanagara Empire was a major southern power that resisted the Deccan Sultanates.

🔖 60-Second Revision

Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526): Slave → Khilji → Tughlaq → Sayyid → Lodi.
Mughals (1526 onward): Babur → Humayun (interrupted by Sher Shah Suri) → Akbar → Jahangir → Shah Jahan → Aurangzeb.
Akbar: religious tolerance, mansabdari system.
Aurangzeb: greatest territorial extent, but decline begins.
Regional powers: Vijayanagara Empire (south), Maratha Empire (Shivaji onward).