History and Culture of India (1526-1950)

Historical vocabulary terms and definitions covering the Mughal period, Maratha history, British expansion, social reforms, and the Indian National Movement.

Babur Nama (Tuzuk-i-Baburi)

An autobiography of Babur written in his mother tongue Chaghatai Turki, providing a detailed account of India in its final section.

Humayun Nama

A historical record by Gulbadan Begum, daughter of Babur, providing a brief account of her father and a detailed account of her brother Humayun.

Akbar Nama

A detailed history of the house of Timur and the reign of Akbar, written in three volumes by the court historian Abul Fazl.

Ain-i-Akbari

The third volume of the Akbar Nama, serving as a statistical and administrative survey of the Mughal Empire under Akbar.

Muntakhab-ut-Tawarikh

A historical work composed by Abdul Qadir Badauni, covering traditions and general history during the Mughal period.

Storio Dor Mogor

The memoirs of Italian traveler Nicolao Manucci, often called "the mirror of the $17\text{th}$ century India."

Bakhars

Marathi chronicles that serve as a priceless source of historical material for Maratha history from the $17\text{th}$ to the $19\text{th}$ centuries.

Peshwa Daftar

A collection of $35,000$ bundles of Maratha records edited by G.S. Sardesai into $45$ volumes.

Utilitarian School

A school of historiography led by James Mill that applied utilitarian doctrines to India, emphasizing law and enlightened despotism.

Mansabdari System

A military-based administrative grading system introduced by Akbar with $33$ grades ranging from commanders of $10$ to $10,000$.

Zapti System

A land revenue system introduced by Raja Todar Mal during the reign of Akbar.

Jharoka Darshan

A custom started by Akbar involving the Emperor appearing at a balcony in the early morning to listen to the complaints of the common man.

Subahdar

The governor and head of civil and military authority in a Mughal province (Subah).

Karkhanas

State-run manufacturing units or workshops that produced luxury goods and household articles for the Mughal court and nobility.

First Battle of Panipat

A decisive battle in $1526$ where Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi, marking the foundation of Mughal dominion in India.

Battle of Khanwaha

A significant battle in $1527$ where Babur defeated the Rajput confederacy led by Rana Sanga.

Ashtapradhan

Shivaji's council of eight ministers, including titles like Peshwa and Amatya, who assisted in Maratha administration.

Chauth

A military contribution levied by the Marathas in lieu of protection against the invasion of a third power.

Sardeshmukhi

A levy of $10$ percent of the gross produce which Shivaji claimed as the hereditary headman of Maharashtra.

Subsidiary Alliance

A political tool used by Lord Wellesley where an Indian state paid for British troops to be stationed in their territory in exchange for protection.

Doctrine of Lapse

An imperialist policy of Lord Dalhousie stating that a dependent state without a natural heir would lapse to the British power.

Permanent Revenue Settlement

A system introduced by Lord Cornwallis in $1793$ in Bengal that made zamindars the owners of the land with a fixed revenue obligation.

Ryotwari System

A land revenue system developed by Sir Thomas Munro involving a direct settlement between the government and individual cultivators (ryots).

Mahalwari Settlement

A revenue system applied in Northern India where land tax was settled with village communities or landlords as a single unit (Mahal).

Sepoy Mutiny of 1857

A major revolt against British rule initiated by Indian soldiers, sparked by the introduction of the Enfield rifle's greased cartridges.

Brahmo Samaj

A reform society founded by Raja Ram Mohan Roy in $1828$ to purify Hinduism and preach theism based on reason.

Arya Samaj

A religious movement founded by Swami Dayananda Saraswati in $1875$ advocating for the revival of the ancient religion of the Vedas.

Theosophical Society

An organization founded by Blavatsky and Olcott, later led in India by Annie Besant, which promoted the study of comparative religion and Indian culture.

Ramakrishna Mission

A social and spiritual mission established by Swami Vivekananda in $1896$ to spread Indian culture and provide selfless service to mankind.

Indian National Congress

A political organization founded in $1885$ that became the primary vehicle for the Indian National Movement.

Moderates

The early leaders of the INC, like G.K. Gokhale and Dadabhai Naoroji, who favored constitutional methods and petitions to achieve reforms.

Extremists

A faction of the INC led by the trio 'Lal, Bal, and Pal' who advocated for Swadeshi, boycott, and Passive Resistance.

Swaraj Party

A political party formed by C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru in $1923$ to enter legislative councils and contest the British government from within.

Poona Pact

A $1932$ agreement where reserved seats were given to the depressed classes instead of separate electorates, following Gandhi's fast.

Cabinet Mission

A $1946$ British commission that proposed a plan for a constitution-making body and a transitional interim government for India.

Vernacular Press Act

A restrictive law passed by Lord Lytton in $1878$ aimed at suppressing the freedom of the Indian-language press.

Santal Revolt

A major tribal uprising in $1855$ led by Sidhu and Kanhu against the oppression of money lenders and the British administration.

Wood's Despatch

An $1854$ document often referred to as the Magna Charta of Indian education, which laid out a structured educational system.