Table of Contents : Medieval India
Introduction : Medieval India
In UPSC CSE we know that there were around a 10-15 questions asked from History. the numbers of questions varies every year. in this post we have discuss about Medieval India timeline & high yielding topics from Medieval India. we mostly focus on Delhi Sultanate, Vijayanagara Empire , Bahamani Kingdom & Mughal Empire…
Timeline : Medieval India
The Medieval India basically started from 9th century onwards but we have to know about sunset of Ancient India.(900CE – 1707 CE)
Post Gupta Age.
In Gupta period there were a various reason to degradation of empire. the Gupta age was golden age of centralization.in this many feudal landscape dominated by regional powers. after the weak administration by Gupta rulers many feudal powers declare independence…such power created a new state..
Vardhana Dynasty or Pushyabhutis of Thanesar
The vardhana dynasty basically founded by Prabhakaravardhana (580-605). Prabhakaravardhana was founder of vardhana dynasty, he was feudal In Gupta empire.
Pushyabhutis/ Vardhana Dynasty
Prabhakaravardhana (580-605)
Rajyavardhana(605-606)
Grihavarman married with Rajashri ( Devagupta + shashank)
HARSHA(606-647)
After Prabhakaravardhana the next ruler was Rajyavardhana elder son of Prabhakaravardhana.. his sister rajashri married with Grihavarman . in the year Grihavarman was killed by (Devagupta + shashank ) of Pala & maukhari dynasty…so Harsha take revenge of it.
The first north Indian invasion to south was conducted by Harsha but by Pulkensin II he was defeated.
Tripartite struggle 7th- 9th CE over kannoj
Pala(750-1150) Dharmapala , Devpala , Gopala,
Gurjara Prahihars (730-1036) Nagbhatta , Mihir Bhoja
Rashtrakutas (757-973) Dantidurga , Govinda III , Amoghvarsha I, Krishna III
Delhi Sultanate (1206 – 1526)
Gulam(1206-1290)
Khilje(1290-1320)
Tughlaq(1320-1414)
Sayyaid(1414-1451)
Lodhi(1451-1526)
Note– detail information covered in another post …only Vijanagara Empire completed detail cover.
Mughal (1526-1707)
Babur(1526-1530)
Humayun(1530-40,1555-56)
Akbar(1556-1605)
Jahangir(1605-1627)
Shahajahan(1627-1658)
Aurangzeb (1658-1707)
Note– detail information covered in another post …only Vijanagara Empire completed detail cover.
Vijayanagara Empire (Harihara & Bukka)
1. The Four Dynasties
was ruled by four different dynasties in three centuries:
Sangama (1336-1485): Founded by Harihara and Bukka. Maximum expansion during the rule of Deva.
Saluva (1485-1505) : Established by Saluva Narasimha.
Tuluva: 1505–1570: “The Golden Age.” The most illustrious king belonging to this dynasty was Krishnadeva Raya .
Aravidu (1542-1646): The last dynasty, established after the Battle of Talikota in 1565…
2. Administration:
Administration: Nayaka & Ayagar Systems The peculiar pattern of Vijayanagara polity is one of the most popular asked by UPSC.
Nayaka (Amara Nayaka) System: The Nayakas were assigned territorial areas named Amaram. In return, they were to provide a fixed number of horses, elephants, and soldiers to the King. Tax revenue was collected and a share contributed to the imperial exchequer.
Ayagar System: It was a group of 12 village officers like accountants and watchmen who looked after the village administration. It was allotted tax-free lands named Manyams as a reward in return for their hereditary services.
Territorial Units: From Empire to Mandalam (Provinces) to Nadu (Districts) to Sthala (Sub-districts) to Grama (Villages) and so on.
Krishnadeva Raya (also known as Andhra Bhoja) was a great patron of letters.
3.Literature & Culture
Krishnadeva Raya (also known as Andhra Bhoja) was a great patron of letters.
Works: Amuktamalyada (in Telugu language); Jambavati Kalyanam(sanskrit)
Ashtadiggajas: Eight great Telugu poets in his court.
Allasani Peddana: Known as “Andhra Kavita Pitamaha.
Tenali Ramakrishna: Known for his cleverness and the “Pandur”.
4.Foreign travallers provide the most detailed descriptions of the Vijayanagara wealth and social customs.
| Traveler | Origin | Ruler’s Reign | Key Observations |
| Ibn Battuta | Morocco | Harihara I | Recorded the empire’s early foundation. |
| Nicolo de Conti | Italy | Deva Raya II | Mentioned the prevalence of Sati and huge fortifications. |
| Abdur Razzaq | Persia | Deva Raya II | Described the 7 lines of forts and the city’s splendor. |
| Duarte Barbosa | Portugal | Krishnadeva Raya | Noted the king’s female bodyguards and religious freedom. |
| Domingo Paes | Portugal | Krishnadeva Raya | Compared Hampi to Rome; detailed the Mahanavami festival. |
| Fernao Nuniz | Portugal | Achyuta Deva Raya | Wrote a detailed history of the empire and its social customs. |
5.Art and Architecture
The Vijayanagara style, also known as the ‘Provida Style,’ is a combination of the Chola, Hoysala, and Islamic styles.
Main Features:
Kalyana Mandapa: Elaborate “marriage halls” for the gods.
Rayagopurams: Extremely tall entrance towers (e.g., Virupaksha Temple).
Monolithic statues: Such as the Narasimha statues and SasiveKalu Ganesha.
Musical Pillars: Made from a single block of stone. They create different musical notes when struck.
Major Temples:
Vittala Temple: Famous for the Stone Chariot and musical pillars.
Hazara Rama Temple: Noted for bas reliefs illustrating the Ramayana.
6.Economy and Society
Economy and Society
Currency: Gold coins were known as “Varaha or Pagoda.”
Major Exports: Spices (pepper), textiles, rice, and iron.
Principal imports: Horses (vital for the army, imported from Arabia and later from the Portuguese).
Social Life: Females held important roles (astrologers, wrestlers, and accountants). Practices like child marriage and Sati were common among the upper classes.
Bahamani Kingdom 1347 CE (Allaudin Hasan Bahman)
Adilshahi
Nizamshahi
Qutubshahi
Baridshahi
Imadshahi
Note– detail information covered in another post …only Vijanagara Empire completed detail cover.
Marathas
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
Sambhaji I (1681-1689) Rajaram(1689-1700)
Shahu (1707-1749) Shivaji II (1700-1707)
Note– detail information covered in another post …only Vijanagara Empire completed detail cover.