Comprehensive Review of Medieval Indian History, Colonial Era, Civics, and Economics

Vocabulary flashcards based on the textbook sections on Medieval Indian dynasties, the rise of the Marathas, European colonial rule, India's electoral and parliamentary systems, and basic economics.

Medieval Period

In Indian history, the period stretching from the 11th century to the 17th century, marked by political transformation through foreign invasions, local dynasties, and regional powers.

Prithviraj Chauhan

A 12th-century ruler remembered for his courage, who defeated Turkish invader Muhammad Ghori in the First Battle of Tarain (1191 CE) but was defeated in the Second Battle of Tarain (1192 CE).

Delhi Sultanate

An Islamic realm in northern India established in 1206 CE by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, which was ruled across three centuries by the Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi dynasties.

Muhammad bin Tughlaq

Sultan of Delhi (1325–1351 CE) who unified large parts of India but whose ambitious administrative experiments—such as raising Doab taxes during a famine, shifting the capital to Daulatabad, and issuing token copper currency—failed.

Jizya

A special tax levied on non-Muslim subjects under certain sultans of the Delhi Sultanate and later re-imposed by Aurangzeb, providing exemption from military service but acting as a financial and social burden.

Bahmani Kingdom

An independent kingdom founded in the Deccan in 1347 CE by Turkish noble Hasan Gangu Bahmani with its capital at Bidar, which later divided into five independent Deccan Sultanates.

Vijayanagara Empire

A powerful kingdom founded in southern India in 1336 CE by brothers Harihara and Bukka, which grew into a major political and cultural center until its defeat at the Battle of Talikota.

Krishnadevaraya

The most celebrated ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire (1509–1529 CE), who expanded territorial boundaries, patronized art and literature, built the Vitthala Temple, and authored the Telugu poem Amuktamalyada.

Battle of Talikota

A 1565 CE conflict in which the combined forces of the Deccan Sultanates defeated the army of Vijayanagara commanded by Ramaraya, resulting in the plunder and destruction of the capital city Hampi.

First Battle of Panipat

A battle fought in 1526 CE in which Babur defeated Sultan Ibrahim Lodi using superior tactics and artillery, laying the foundation of the Mughal Empire in India.

Sher Shah Suri

An Afghan leader who defeated Humayun and took control of northern India, remembered for introducing efficient land revenue measurement systems and constructing the Grand Trunk Road.

Akbar

The third Mughal Emperor who ascended the throne at age 13 in 1556 CE, pursuing a long reign characterized by imperial expansion, political alliances with Rajputs, and religious tolerance.

Sulh-i-Kul

Akbar's policy promoting universal peace, tolerance, and respect among all faiths, accompanied by the abolition of the jizya tax on non-Muslims.

Jauhar

A medieval practice of mass self-immolation performed by Rajput women to avoid capture, dishonour, or slavery when their fort faced defeat during an enemy siege.

Aurangzeb

Mughal Emperor who assumed the title 'Alamgir' in 1658 CE, expanded the empire to its largest extent through constant war in the Deccan, but introduced strict religious edicts and demolished non-Muslim institutions.

Paik System

An administrative system of the Ahom Kingdom in Assam where every able-bodied man was required to serve the state through military service or public works projects in exchange for land.

Khalsa

A disciplined community of saint-soldiers founded in 1699 CE by Guru Gobind Singh, bound by strict courage, equality, and faith to resist Mughal oppression.

Iqta System

A Delhi Sultanate governance method wherein land assignments were granted to nobles (iqtadars) to collect revenue, maintain local law and order, and provide troops to the Sultan.

Mansabdari System

An administrative structure under Akbar where officers held a specified rank (mansab), maintained designated military contingents, and were remunerated via land assignments called jagirs.

Hundi

A traditional written credit order that enabled medieval Indian merchants to transfer payments across regions safely without transporting physical coins.

Swarajya

Chhatrapati Shivaji's vision and initiative for an independent, self-ruled state focused on political autonomy, justice, economic welfare, and indigenous cultural revival.

Treaty of Purandar

A 1665 CE treaty signed after Shivaji was defeated by Jai Singh, requiring Shivaji to surrender 23 of his forts and send his son Sambhaji as a political hostage to the Mughal court.

Chauth

A 25 percent tax collected by the Marathas on the annual produce or revenue of neighboring regions not directly governed by them, in exchange for military protection against invaders.

Sardeshmukhi

An additional 10 percent tax levied by the Marathas on top of the chauth tax in non-directly ruled territories.

Ashta Pradhana Mandala

The council of eight ministers created by Chhatrapati Shivaji to oversee administrative, military, foreign, religious, and judicial functions of the Maratha kingdom.

Third Battle of Panipat

A disastrous 1761 CE battle where Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali defeated the Maratha army under Sadashivrao Bhau, resulting in heavy casualties and halting Maratha expansion in northern India.

Cartaz

A naval trade permit required by European colonial authorities (originally introduced by the Portuguese) for Indian merchant ships sailing in Arabian Sea trade routes.

Battle of Plassey

A 1757 CE battle where Robert Clive's English East India Company forces defeated Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah of Bengal through the treason of military commander Mir Jafar.

Battle of Buxar

A 1764 CE battle where Hector Munro defeated the joint forces of Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daulah, and Shah Alam II, securing Diwani (revenue collection) rights for the British in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.

Doctrine of Lapse

An expansionist policy applied by Lord Dalhousie stating that any princely state under British protection would be annexed if its ruler died without a direct natural male heir.

Subsidiary Alliance

A system devised by Lord Wellesley requiring Indian princely states to accept and pay for a permanent British army contingent and Resident, ceding foreign policy independence.

Drain of Wealth

A theory introduced by Dadabhai Naoroji describing how financial resources and raw materials were systematically siphoned from India to Britain without an equitable return.

Revolt of 1857

A widespread uprising against East India Company rule ignited by the introduction of greased Enfield rifle cartridges, drawing in sepoys, peasants, zamindars, and regional rulers.

Universal Adult Franchise

The constitutional principle enshrined under Article 326 granting every adult Indian citizen aged 18 years or older the right to vote in elections without discrimination.

Election Commission of India (ECI)

An autonomous constitutional body established in 1950 responsible for managing free, fair, and impartial national and state-level democratic elections in India.

Model Code of Conduct (MCC)

A set of regulatory ethical guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India to govern the behavior of political parties and candidates prior to and during elections.

Electronic Voting Machine (EVM)

A compact electronic apparatus utilized in Indian elections to securely record and tally votes electronically, replacing traditional paper ballot boxes.

Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)

A verification device connected to EVMs that prints a temporary physical paper slip to confirm to the voter that their vote has been accurately logged.

Bicameral Legislature

A legislative body structured into two separate chambers or houses, such as the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the Indian Parliament.

Single Transferable Vote (STV)

An indirect proportional representation voting system where electors rank choices by preference, used in elections for the Rajya Sabha, President, and Vice President of India.

Question Hour

The initial hour of a parliamentary sitting dedicated to Members of Parliament questioning executive ministers regarding government decisions, policies, and expenditures.

Factors of Production

The four fundamental inputs—land, labour, capital, and entrepreneurship—required by enterprises to manufacture goods and generate services.

Human Capital

The qualitative potential of a labor force encompassing education, technical skills, specialized expertise, and health that boosts overall workplace productivity.

Demographic Dividend

An economic growth advantage gained when a nation's working-age population outnumbers its dependent population.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

A practice guiding commercial enterprises to conduct business sustainably and contribute resources toward community development, environmental protection, and public welfare.