UPSC Notes

Ghurid Dynasty  The Ghurid Dynasty, a significant chapter in medieval Islamic history, flourished as a powerful empire in Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Let’s delve into the history of its rise, reign, important rulers, and its enduring impact on India. Introduction to the Ghurid Dynasty The Ghurids were local chiefs from the Ghor region…

Portuguese in india The Portuguese were the first Europeans to discover a direct maritime route to India and thereby solve the age-old problem of circumventing the Arab Traders. On May 20, 1498, Portuguese merchant Vasco da Gama became the first merchant to arrive in Calicut, an important seaport in South India. Vasco Da Gama in the court of zamorin(picture…

Bhakti Movement in North India The period from 1375 to 1700 is known as the era of Bhakti movement in North India. During this time, many bhakti saints of different beliefs emerged from various parts of India. Some, like Kabir and Baba Guru Nanak, rejected all orthodox religions. Others, such as Tulsidas and Surdas, accepted…

The Bhakti Movement in India Introduction of Bhakti Movement The Bhakti movement was a medieval religious reform movement that preached direct devotion to God without the mediation of a priest. It aimed to reform society by removing the boundaries of caste, creed and sex between the devotee(bhakta) and God (bhagwan). Bhakti is rooted in the…

Bahmani Kingdom and Deccan Sultanates After the fall of Yadavas and Kakatiyas to the Khaljis and Tughlaqs, several Muslim governorships were established in the region. Mohamed Bin Tughalaq had made an elaborate administrative system for the Deccan region and, in the process, appointed Sada Amir/Amiran-i-sada,e. the chief of hundred villages. They performed both military and…

The Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646) AD Ruins of Vijayanagar, Hampi (Source: Karnataka Tourism website) The Vijayanagara Empire flourished in Southern India, comprising the modern states of Goa, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and some parts of Telangana and Maharashtra. After the weakening of control of the Delhi Sultanate in Southern India, the Vijayanagara Empire and the Bahmani Sultanate emerged as the dominant power…

Socio-cultural Impact of the Delhi Sultanate The Delhi sultanate introduced Persian art, architecture, and language, fostering a blend of Indian and Islamic cultures. It led to grow the Indo-Islamic art and the spread of Islam in India. Economy of Delhi Sultanate Agriculture North part of the empire produced Wheat, Oilseed East and south had rice…

Delhi Sultanate The Delhi Sultanate known as one of the India’s rich historical time-period. This empire rulers from the 13th- 16th century, played a pivotal role in shaping the country’s culture, architecture, and society. Delhi Sultanate was a series of Islamic dynasties that ruled over the Indian subcontinent. It began with Ghurid invasion in 1192,…

Regional Powers in South India and Deccan After the Fall of Rashtrakutas, Deccan India came under the rule of Western Chalukyas and the Cholas. These powers had to contend with the Parmaras of Dhara and the Kalachuris of Tripuri. The Cholas and Western Chalukyas struggled against each other in the 10th-12th century until their powers…

Evaluation of Rajput States In the previous page, we discussed the chronology of the Rajput states and the early Muslim invasions. In this page, we shall discuss the reasons for the military failure of the Rajputs, their art and society. Reasons for the Military failure of Rajputs: Military Factors: Supply of horses: Cavalry formed the…