Reshaping India's Political Map - Medieval Indian History

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering key historical terms, concepts, rulers, battles, and administrative systems from medieval Indian history based on the textbook notes.

First Battle of Tarain

Battle fought in 1191 in which Muhammad Ghori was defeated by Prithviraj Chauhan.

Second Battle of Tarain

Battle fought in 1192 in which Muhammad Ghori decisively defeated the Rajput forces, ending Rajput dominance and opening the door for Turkish rule in North India.

Mamluk or Slave Dynasty

The first dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate, founded in 1206 CE by Qutb ud-din Aibak after the death of Muhammad Ghori.

Qutub Minar

A monumental minaret in Delhi whose construction was started by Qutb ud-din Aibak and completed by Iltutmish.

Iltutmish

Son-in-law and former slave of Qutb ud-din Aibak who protected Delhi from Mongol attacks, introduced silver tanka and copper jital coins, and received recognition from the Caliph of Baghdad.

Silver Tanka and Copper Jital

Types of silver and copper coins introduced by Iltutmish to stabilise the monetary system of the Delhi Sultanate.

Razia Sultan

Daughter of Iltutmish who briefly ruled as the first and only female ruler of the Delhi Sultanate.

Alauddin Khalji

Ruler of the Khalji dynasty who resisted Mongol invasions, expanded into Rajputana and the Deccan, introduced market price controls, and paid soldiers cash salaries.

Token Currency of Muhammad-bin Tughlaq

A financial reform where brass and copper coins were introduced instead of silver, which failed disastrously due to easy forging and caused major financial losses.

Firoz Shah Tughlaq

Tughlaq ruler who implemented public welfare reforms, including constructing new irrigation canals, building towns, establishing orchards, and abolishing harsh taxes.

Lodi Dynasty

The final dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate (1451–1526 CE), founded by Bahlul Lodi, notable for being rulers of Afghan origin.

First Battle of Panipat (1526)

Battle in 1526 in which Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi, ending the Delhi Sultanate and establishing the Mughal Empire.

Kumbhalgarh Fort

A 15th-century fort in Rajasthan built by Rana Kumbha of Mewar with a 36-kilometre perimeter wall—the second-longest wall in the world—designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Konark Sun Temple

A stone chariot-like architectural marvel in Odisha built by Eastern Ganga ruler Narasimhadeva I to celebrate his military victories.

Vijayanagara Empire

An empire founded in 1336 CE on the banks of the Tungabhadra River by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I, meaning 'City of Victory'.

Battle of Talikota

A decisive battle fought on 23 January 1565 between the Vijayanagara Empire and an alliance of Deccan Sultanates, leading to the collapse of Vijayanagara.

Bahmani Empire

The first Muslim state in the Deccan, founded in 1347 CE by Alauddin Bahman Shah, which later fragmented into five Deccan Sultanates.

Deccan Sultanates

The five successor states of the Bahmani Empire: Ahmadnagar, Berar, Bidar, Bijapur, and Golconda.

Krishnadeva Raya

Celebrated Vijayanagara ruler (r. 1509–1529 CE) whose reign is called the 'Golden Age of Vijayanagara'; scholar who wrote the Telugu poem Amuktamalyada.

Ashtadiggajas

The 'Eight Literary Gems' or scholars in Krishnadeva Raya's court, including the famous Telugu poet Allasani Peddana.

Iqta System

Administrative system in the Delhi Sultanate where the empire was divided into provinces (Iqtas) governed by nobles (Muqtis) who collected revenue and maintained troops.

Wazir (Delhi Sultanate)

The Chief Minister in charge of finance in the central administration of the Delhi Sultanate.

Ariz-i-Mumalik

The Defence Minister in the central administration of the Delhi Sultanate.

Dabir-i-Khas

The minister in charge of royal correspondence and dispatching royal orders in the Delhi Sultanate.

Baburnama

The memoir written by Emperor Babur providing details about his military campaigns, governance, and observations on Indian society.

Dahsala System

A revenue settlement system introduced by Raja Todar Mal in 1580 CE where tax was assessed based on average crop yields and prices over ten years, fixing one-third as state demand in cash.

Sulh-i-kul

The concept of universal tolerance promoted by Mughal Emperor Akbar.

Din-i-Ilahi

A religious order meaning 'Divine Faith' introduced by Akbar in 1582 CE to promote universal brotherhood and national unity.

Buland Darwaza

The grand main entrance to the Jami Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri, built by Akbar to commemorate his victory over Gujarat.

Akbarnama

The official Persian biography of Emperor Akbar written in three volumes by his close friend and court historian Abul Fazl.

Ain-i-Akbari

The third volume of the Akbarnama, containing detailed information on the Mughal administration, economy, revenue system, military organisation, and culture.

Taj Mahal

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in Agra built during Shah Jahan's reign, recognized as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

Zil-i-Ilahi

Title meaning 'Shadow of God on Earth,' used to describe the absolute authority of the Mughal Emperor.

Subah

A province in the Mughal Empire, governed by an official called a Subadar.

Mansabdari System

An administrative system introduced by Akbar where each official was assigned a rank (mansab) determining position, salary, and army obligations.

Zat and Sawar

The two components of a mansab: Zat denoted personal rank, status, and salary; Sawar denoted the number of cavalrymen and horses required to be maintained.

Jagirdari System

System where mansabdars received non-hereditary, transferable land assignments (Jagirs) from which they collected revenue as salary.

Hundi System

An indigenous medieval Indian credit and banking system involving a written order directing a banker to pay money to another person in a distant place.

Darshani Hundi and Muddati Hundi

Two main types of hundis: Darshani Hundi is payable on sight, while Muddati Hundi is payable after a fixed period of time.

Rani Durgavati

Queen of the Garha Kingdom who bravely led her troops against Akbar's army in 1564 and took her own life on the battlefield to avoid capture.

Miri-Piri

A doctrine introduced by Guru Hargobind that combined spiritual authority (Piri) and temporal authority (Miri).

Khalsa

A community of saint-soldiers created by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699 to uphold justice.

Five Ks of Sikhism

The five symbols of faith of the Khalsa: Kesh (unshorn hair), Kangha (wooden comb), Kara (iron bracelet), Kachera (cotton undergarment), and Kirpan (dagger).

Battle of Saraighat (1671)

A naval battle in 1671 where Ahom general Lachit Borphukan decisively defeated the Mughal navy on the Brahmaputra River.

Regent

A person who rules on behalf of a monarch who is too young, absent, or unable to govern.