Medieval India: Social, Religious, and Historical Sources

Flashcards covering social and religious changes, historical sources, and significant texts/figures of medieval Indian history.

Jatis

The many castes and sub-castes into which society was divided, whose status varied according to the power, influence, and resources controlled by the members.

Bhakti and Sufism

Reform movements that emerged to stress the union with God through prayer and devotion.

Hindos or Indos

The names used by people from the north-west for the River Indus, from which the name 'India' was derived.

Archaeological sources

Historical sources mainly used for the ancient period, including items like pottery, seals, houses, and buildings.

Maratha and Rajput styles

Two examples of famous painting styles from the medieval period.

Sculptures

Three dimensional objects such as images, pots, and statues with different types of artistic embellishments or decorations.

Numismatics

The study of coins.

Jahangir's coins

Silver and gold coins issued by the Mughal emperor bearing images of himself and his wife Nur Jahan.

Inscriptions

A form of writing carved on a hard surface like stone, metal, and rock.

Epigraphy

The study of inscriptions.

Prashastis

Lengthy poems of praise for rulers found in inscriptions.

Manuscripts

Handwritten records often written on palm leaves, bamboo leaves, birch bark, and paper, providing detailed information on subjects like literature, art, and science.

Scribes

Individuals who copied manuscripts by hand, sometimes leading to significant differences between copies and the original text.

Baburnama

The autobiography of King Babur.

Rajatarangini

A historical writing describing the achievements of the kings of Kashmir.

Ain-i-Akbari

A historical work detailing the administration of King Akbar.

Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri

The autobiography of King Jahangir.

Foreign travellers

Individuals such as Ibn Battuta, Marco Polo, Nicolo Conti, and Sir Thomas Roe who maintained records of their experiences in medieval India.

Tarikh-i-Firuz Shahi

An important book by Ziauddin Barani, also known as the History of Firuz Shah, which stated the duties of an Indian sultan.

Historiography

The art of writing history.