When Muslims arrived, people from diverse regions and religions interacted with the local population. Society became divided into three classes: upper, middle, and lower. The Bhakti and Sufi movements influenced people’s social and religious lives. Songs, prayers, and the concept of a single God gained popularity. The topic is important for UPSC IAS and other state level exams.
Economic Progress in Medieval India
- Agriculture saw significant advancements.
- Kings and landlords benefited the most from agricultural produce.
- The widespread use of the Jagir system was observed.
- Middlemen controlled the sale of goods.
Cultural Developments in Medieval India:
- Sanskrit continued to be a refined language.
- Shad Darshanas, a set of philosophical systems, were formulated.
- During Akbar’s rule, Sanskrit works like the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Panchatantra were translated into various languages.
- The Quran was translated into Persian.
- Kings’ patronage led to the creation of instrumental music.
- Renowned musicians like Amir Khusrau, Baz Bahadur, and Rupamathi emerged.
- The term “Indo-Islamic art” was coined to describe this fusion of artistic styles.
Key Empires and Events of the Medieval Period in India:
- The Khiljis (1290–1320 AD) – Jalaluddin Khilji and Alauddin Khilji played significant roles, with Alauddin ruling over much of South India.
- The Tughlaqs (1320–1412 AD) – Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, Muhammad-Bin-Tughlaq, and Firoz Shah Tughlaq were prominent rulers.
- The Sayyids and Lodhi Sultans (1414–1526 AD) – Brief rule by the Sayyids was followed by the Lodhis, who shifted the capital from Delhi to Agra. Minor kingdoms emerged as the Lodhi influence waned.
- The Vijayanagara Empire (1336–1565 AD) and the Bahmani Kingdom (1346–1689 AD) were significant during this period.
MCQs Test on Early Medieval Society & Religion
Latest Web Stories
Leave a Reply