Ancient and Medieval History

Tughlaq Dynasty Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq (1320-25 CE) The Tughlaq dynasty was founded by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, also known as Ghazi Malik.  He built the famous Tughlaqabad Fort in Delhi, During his reign, he enhanced postal service, transportation, and communication.  Dawk chowkies were … Continue reading →

Khalji Dynasty The Khalji dynasty was named after an Afghan hamlet, but they were truly of Turkish descent. The Khalji Dynasty’s kings were infamous for their cruelty and faithlessness. Jalal-ud-din Khalji (1290-96 CE) The first sultan of the Delhi Sultanate … Continue reading →

Delhi Sultanates Slave/Mamluk dynasty (1206-1290 CE) Mamluk is an Arabic term that means “owned.”  It served as a means of separating the lower-class imported Turkish slaves intended for military duty from the higher-class slaves employed as domestic workers or artisans. … Continue reading →

Sufi Movement Sufi Cult or Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam, a school of practice that emphasises the spiritual search for God and rejects materialism. It is a style of Islamic mysticism that emphasises asceticism.  The word Sufi means … Continue reading →

Impact of Bhakti Movement The Bhakti saints were also social reformers. The evil practice of Sati and caste rigidities received some setbacks. Women were encouraged to join kirtans. Mirabai, Laila (Kashmir) and Andal composed verses that are popular even today. … Continue reading →

Age of Invasions 712 CE – Mohamed Bin Qasim, an Arab invaded Sind which was ruled by Dahir. 1025 CE – Mahmud of Ghazni invaded the subcontinent Mahmud of Ghazni was the first independent ruler of the Ghaznavid dynasty, reigning … Continue reading →

Rise of Rajputs The warrior clan known as the Rajputs—meaning “son of a king” or “raja-putra”—claim to be descended from the Hindu warrior classes that once ruled northern India. They ruled from western, central, and northern India to some areas … Continue reading →

Vakatakas The Vakataka dynasty controlled regions of central and southern India between the third and sixth centuries CE. They held their capital in Nandivardhana (modern-day Nanded, Maharashtra). Vindhyashakti was the founder of the Vakataka Dynasty. Territorial expansion began during the … Continue reading →

Chola Rulers Vijayalaya (847 – 871 CE) Founder of the Chola Empire: In 815 CE, he overthrew the Mutharaiyar in Tanjore and erected a Durga shrine. In 850, he founded the Chola monarchy of the imperial line and constructed the … Continue reading →

Chola Empire Between the 9th and 13th century CE, the Chola dynasty governed a vast portion of the southern Indian peninsula as well as some portions of Southeast Asia.  The Chola dynasty is broadly split into three periods: the Early … Continue reading →