Chapter 3: Delhi: 12th to 15th Century
Overview of the Chapter
Understanding the Chapter
This chapter delves into the history of Delhi from the 12th to the 15th century. It discusses the rise and fall of various dynasties, the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate, administrative structures, economic and social changes, and significant cultural contributions during this period.
The Beginning of the Delhi Sultanate
Establishment of the Sultanate
– Qutb-ud-din Aibak: Qutb-ud-din Aibak was a slave who rose to prominence under the Ghurid ruler Muhammad Ghori. After Muhammad Ghori’s assassination, Aibak established the Mamluk (Slave) dynasty in 1206 and became the first Sultan of Delhi.
– Mamluk Dynasty (Slave Dynasty): The Mamluk dynasty was the first of the five dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate. It laid the foundation for Muslim rule in India and included notable rulers like Qutb-ud-din Aibak, Iltutmish, and Raziyya.
Key Rulers and Their Contributions
– Qutb-ud-din Aibak (1206-1210): Known for beginning the construction of the Qutb Minar and for his title “Lakh Baksh” (giver of lakhs) due to his generosity.
– Shams-ud-din Iltutmish (1211-1236): Consolidated the Sultanate, introduced the Iqta system, and completed the construction of the Qutb Minar. He also saved the Sultanate from Mongol invasions.
– Raziyya Sultan (1236-1240): The only female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, Raziyya was known for her administrative skills and for challenging the conservative norms of her time.
Successive Dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate
Khilji Dynasty (1290-1320)
– Jalal-ud-din Firuz Khilji: Founded the Khilji dynasty and was known for his liberal policies.
– Alauddin Khilji (1296-1316): A prominent ruler who expanded the empire through military conquests. He introduced economic reforms, market control policies, and improved the administrative system. He is also known for defending India against Mongol invasions.
Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414)
– Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq (1320-1325): Founder of the Tughlaq dynasty, known for building the fortified city of Tughlaqabad.
– Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1325-1351): Known for his ambitious projects, such as the transfer of the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and the introduction of token currency. Despite his intelligence, many of his projects failed due to poor execution.
– Firuz Shah Tughlaq (1351-1388): Focused on public works, including the construction of canals, wells, mosques, and hospitals. He is also known for building the city of Firuzabad and for his efforts to revive the Sultanate’s economy.
Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451)
– Khadir Khan: The founder of the Sayyid dynasty, who tried to restore the strength of the Sultanate after Timur’s invasion.
– Key Contributions: The Sayyids struggled to maintain control over Delhi and faced numerous challenges from regional rulers and internal conflicts.
Lodi Dynasty (1451-1526)
– Bahlul Lodi: Founder of the Lodi dynasty, who re-established control over the fragmented Sultanate and extended his rule over much of North India.
– Sikandar Lodi (1489-1517): Known for his administrative reforms, development of the city of Agra, and patronage of art and culture. He also reformed the currency system and encouraged agriculture.
– Ibrahim Lodi (1517-1526): The last ruler of the Lodi dynasty, defeated by Babur at the Battle of Panipat in 1526, which marked the beginning of the Mughal Empire.
Administration and Governance
Centralized Administration
– Iqta System: The Delhi Sultans implemented the Iqta system, wherein territories called iqtas were assigned to nobles and officers (iqtadars) in return for military and administrative services. The iqtadars were responsible for collecting taxes and maintaining law and order within their territories.
– Diwan-i-Arz: The department of military affairs, which was responsible for recruiting and maintaining the army. This system helped in organizing the military and ensuring the Sultanate’s defense against external threats.
Revenue System
– Kharaj: A land tax imposed on peasants, usually amounting to one-third of the produce. This was a significant source of revenue for the Sultanate.
– Jizya: A tax levied on non-Muslims (primarily Hindus), which granted them protection and the freedom to practice their religion. The revenue collected from Jizya was used to support the administration and military expenses.
Society and Economy
Social Structure
– Urbanization: The Delhi Sultanate saw the growth of urban centers, with Delhi becoming a major political, cultural, and economic hub. Cities like Delhi, Agra, and Lahore flourished with bustling markets, workshops, and residential areas.
– Caste System: The caste system continued to be a significant aspect of social organization, influencing occupation and social status. However, the Sultanate’s administration and military were more meritocratic, allowing people of various backgrounds to rise to prominence.
Economic Activities
– Trade and Commerce: The Delhi Sultanate facilitated trade and commerce, both within the Indian subcontinent and with other regions like Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. Key trade items included textiles, spices, precious stones, and metals.
– Craft Production: Various crafts, such as weaving, metalwork, and pottery, developed under royal patronage. Artisans produced high-quality goods for local consumption and export.
Cultural Contributions
Art and Architecture
– Monumental Architecture: The Sultans of Delhi commissioned various architectural projects, including mosques, forts, and minarets.
– Qutb Minar: Initiated by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and completed by Iltutmish, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a significant example of Indo-Islamic architecture.
– Alauddin Khilji’s Alai Darwaza: A gateway to the Qutb complex, known for its intricate carvings and use of red sandstone and white marble.
– Tughlaqabad Fort: Built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, this fort exemplifies the military architecture of the Tughlaq dynasty.
– Firoz Shah Kotla: Built by Firuz Shah Tughlaq, it includes a mosque, a baoli (step-well), and an Ashokan pillar brought from Topra.
Literature and Learning
– Persian Influence: Persian was the court language, and many literary works were produced in Persian. This period saw the growth of Persian literature, poetry, and historiography.
– Amir Khusrau: A poet and scholar in the court of Alauddin Khilji, known for his Persian poetry and contributions to Indian classical music. He wrote numerous works, including historical narratives and devotional poetry.
– Educational Institutions: The establishment of madrasas (Islamic schools) and libraries promoted Islamic education and scholarship. Scholars and students from different regions came to Delhi to study and contribute to intellectual life.
– Example: Madrasas established by Firuz Shah Tughlaq, which were centers of learning and culture.
Decline of the Delhi Sultanate
Internal Conflicts and Invasions
– Timur’s Invasion (1398): Timur, the Central Asian conqueror, invaded India and sacked Delhi in 1398. This invasion caused significant destruction and weakened the Sultanate, leading to a period of instability and decline.
– Weak Successors: After the invasion, the Delhi Sultanate struggled with internal strife and weak rulers who failed to maintain control over the vast empire. This fragmentation paved the way for regional kingdoms to assert their independence.
Regional Kingdoms
– Vijayanagara Empire: Rose to prominence in the Deccan region, known for its administrative efficiency and contributions to art and culture.
– Bahmani Kingdom: Established in the Deccan, it was known for its military prowess and architectural achievements.
Summary of the Chapter
Key Points
– The chapter covers the establishment and expansion of the Delhi Sultanate from the 12th to the 15th century.
– It discusses the administrative structures, economic activities, social changes, and cultural contributions during this period.
– The chapter also highlights the reasons for the decline of the Sultanate, including internal conflicts and invasions.
Additional Information
Key Terms and Concepts
– Iqta: A land grant given to a noble or officer in exchange for administrative and military services.
– Diwan-i-Arz: The department responsible for military affairs.
– Kharaj: A land tax imposed on peasants.
– Jizya: A tax levied on non-Muslims for protection and religious freedom.
– Madrasas: Islamic educational institutions.
– Forts and Palaces: Structures built for defense and as royal residences, showcasing the architectural prowess of the period.
– Persian Literature: Literary works produced in Persian, the court language of the Delhi Sultanate.
– Timur: Central Asian conqueror whose invasion in 1398 weakened the Delhi Sultanate.
Important Places
– Delhi: The capital of the Delhi Sultanate, a major political, cultural, and economic hub.
– Tughlaqabad: Fortified city built by Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq.
– Firuzabad: City built by Firuz Shah Tughlaq, known for its public works and architectural achievements.
– Daulatabad: The city to which Muhammad bin Tughlaq attempted to transfer the capital from Delhi.
Notable Personalities
– Qutb-ud-din Aibak: Founder of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mamluk dynasty.
– Iltutmish: Consolidator of the Sultanate and introducer of the Iqta system.
– Raziyya Sultan: The only female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.
– Alauddin Khilji: Known for his military conquests and administrative reforms.
– Muhammad bin Tughlaq: Known for his ambitious projects and administrative experiments.
– Firuz Shah Tughlaq: Known for his public works and efforts to revive the economy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Qutb-ud-din Aibak established the Delhi Sultanate in 1206.
– The Mamluk dynasty was also known as the Slave Dynasty.
– Iltutmish completed the construction of the Qutb Minar.
– Raziyya Sultan was the only female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.
– Shams-ud-din Iltutmish introduced the Iqta system.
– Jalal-ud-din Firuz Khilji was the founder of the Khilji dynasty.
– Alauddin Khilji is known for his market control policies and military conquests.
– Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq founded the Tughlaq dynasty.
– Muhammad bin Tughlaq attempted to transfer the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad.
– Firuz Shah Tughlaq was known for his public works, including the construction of canals and hospitals.
– Khadir Khan was the founder of the Sayyid dynasty.
– The Lodi dynasty re-established control over the fragmented Sultanate and extended its rule over North India.
– Ibrahim Lodi was the last ruler of the Lodi dynasty.
– The Iqta system involved assigning territories (iqtas) to nobles and officers in return for military and administrative services.
– Kharaj was a land tax imposed on peasants, usually amounting to one-third of the produce.
– Jizya was a tax levied on non-Muslims for protection and religious freedom.
– Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq built the fortified city of Tughlaqabad.
– Amir Khusrau was a poet and scholar in the court of Alauddin Khilji, known for his Persian poetry and contributions to Indian classical music.
– Internal conflicts, weak successors, and invasions such as Timur’s invasion in 1398 led to the decline of the Delhi Sultanate.
– The Qutb Minar.
– The Alai Darwaza, built by Alauddin Khilji, is a gateway to the Qutb complex known for its intricate carvings and use of red sandstone and white marble.
– Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
– Firuz Shah Tughlaq built the city of Firuzabad.
– The Sayyid dynasty.
– Sikandar Lodi.
Chapter 3:DELHI: 12th TO 15th CENTURY MCQs
1. Who established the Delhi Sultanate in 1206?
2. What is another name for the Mamluk dynasty?
3. Who completed the construction of the Qutb Minar?
4. Which ruler introduced the Iqta system?
5. Who was the founder of the Khilji dynasty?
6. What was Muhammad bin Tughlaq known for?
7. Who built the fortified city of Tughlaqabad?
8. What was the Jizya tax?
9. Who was the last ruler of the Lodi dynasty?
10. Which Sultan of Delhi is known for his public works including the construction of canals and hospitals?
11. Who was the founder of the Sayyid dynasty?
12. What was the primary reason for the decline of the Delhi Sultanate?
Access detailed short notes for Chapter 1: Introduction: Tracing Changes Through a Thousand Years from the Class 7 History NCERT book, ‘Our Pasts-II.’ Click here for a comprehensive review.
