General Studies 1

Vijayanagara Empire: (1336-1646) CE The kingdom of Vijayanagara was established by Harihara and Bukka. After functioning as feudatories under the Warangal Kakatiyas, they were appointed ministers in the Kampili Kingdom (present-day Karnataka). Following the fall of Kampili, the two brothers … Continue reading →

Yadava Dynasty The Yadavas, also known as the Seuna dynasty, ruled a kingdom that stretched from the Tungabhadra to the Narmada rivers, covering present-day Maharashtra, north Karnataka, and portions of Madhya Pradesh, from their capital at Devagiri (modern-day Daulatabad).  They … Continue reading →

Hoysala Dynasty The Hoysalas, who began as provincial rulers under the Western Chalukyas, ruled Karnataka from the tenth to the fourteenth centuries. The dynasty rose to prominence after the disintegration of the Chalukyas and the Cholas. The Hoysala capital was … Continue reading →

Lodhi Empire (1451 – 1526 CE) The Ghizali tribe of Afghanistan founded the Lodi Empire. Important Rulers: Bahlol Lodhi  (1451-1489 CE) Founder of the Lodi Dynasty. Malik Sultan Shah Lodi, the governor of Sirhind, Punjab, India, was his uncle and … Continue reading →

Sayyid Dynasty (1414-51 CE) The Sayyid dynasty emerged as the fourth dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, succeeding the Tughlaq dynasty.  Khizir Khan, the Multan ruler, and Timur’s Indian subordinate, established the dynasty.  The Sayyid Dynasty was founded by a dynasty … Continue reading →

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 →