Maharashtra Board Class 11 History Chapter 14 Delhi Sultanate Vijayanagar and Bahamani Kingdom PDF Download

Delhi Sultanate, Vijayanagar And Bahamani Kingdom

The transition of ancient period to mediaeval period is reflected in various sectors. This transition took place in all fields including political, social, economic, religious and cultural.

14.1 Political Conditions In India

Some of the royal dynasties of ancient period continued to rule during the mediaeval period while new dynasties arose. The Chola kingdom in South India had expanded into an empire during the mediaeval period. King Vijayalaya defeated the rulers like Pandyas, Pallavas etc.; thus Chola empire expanded its boundaries. After the decline of Harshavardhan's empire many big and small kingdoms came into being in North India. There was constant struggle for power among these kingdoms. There was no power, who could have control over the rulers of these kingdoms. The Turkish invaders took advantage of this political instability of India in 13th century. During this period many petty rulers existed such as Chauhans of Rajasthan, Pratiharas and Gadhwals (Rathod) of Kanauj, Chandellas of Bundelkhand, Parmars of Malwa, Kalachuris of Gorakhpur, Kalachuris of Tripuri (Madhya Pradesh), Chalukyas (Solanki) of Gujarat, Palas of Bengal etc. They did resist the invasions of the Turks individually but they did not unite for it.

Teacher's Note

During the medieval period, many small kingdoms in India fought each other instead of staying united. This is like when students in a class fight among themselves instead of helping each other.

Exam Trick

Remember: Small kingdoms = No unity. Just like many small shops on one street, but no big supermarket. Turkish invaders came because India was weak and divided.

Points To Remember

Many small kingdoms ruled North India in the medieval period.
These kingdoms always fought with each other.
Turkish invaders took advantage of this weakness.
Rajput kings did not unite against the invaders.

14.2 Arab And Turkish Invasions

Muhammad bin Qasim of Ummayad dynasty attacked Sindh in the year 712 C.E. He conquered the entire region from Sindh to Multan. After Muhammad bin Qasim, the Arabs rule in India grew instable.

In India, the Islamic rule was established by the Turks. They attacked India several times. None of the rulers in India could successfully resist them. The Turks looted enormous wealth from India. Many kingdoms were destroyed and Islamic rule was established.

In the 11th century, Sultan Sabuktigin of Ghazni in Afghanistan attacked King Jaipal of Punjab. His kingdom was spread from Hindukush mountains to the river Chenab. After the death of Sabuktgin, his son Mahmud became the Sultan of Ghazni. He invaded India for seventeen times (1001 to 1018 CE) with the aim of looting and spreading Islam.

After Mahmud of Ghazni, the series of invasions of Muhammad Ghuri on India began. He was very ambitious. Along with looting India, his main intention was to establish his rule in India. The Rajput king Prithviraj Chauhan opposed him. Two wars were fought between the two rulers. They are known as 'Battles of Tarain'. Prithviraj Chauhan was defeated in the Second battle of Tarain. After this defeat there was no such powerful king who could hold the Rajputs together. Muhammad Ghuri succeeded in establishing the Turkish Empire from Sindh to Bengal. The Indian rulers could be defeated easily by the Turkish invaders because of internal dissent, lack of centralised power, lack of unity, lack of a standing army in addition to the cruel and aggressive war strategies of the invaders.

Muhammed Ghuri appointed one of his slaves, Qutubuddin Aibak to administer the province of Delhi and surrounding regions. After the death of Muhammad Ghuri, Qutubuddin Aibak became the first Sultan of Delhi. He is the founder of the 'Slave Dynasty'.

Teacher's Note

Turkish invaders like Mahmud of Ghazni came many times to India and took lots of money. It is like a thief coming to a house many times because the doors are not locked properly.

Exam Trick

Remember: Muhammad bin Qasim attacked Sindh in 712 CE. Mahmud of Ghazni attacked 17 times from 1001 to 1018 CE. Write down these numbers - they come in exams!

Points To Remember

Arabs came first in 712 CE under Muhammad bin Qasim.
Turkish Sultans attacked India many times.
Mahmud of Ghazni attacked 17 times.
Muhammad Ghuri defeated Prithviraj Chauhan in the Second Battle of Tarain.
Qutubuddin Aibak was the first Sultan of Delhi.

14.3 Alauddin Khalji And Yadavas Of Devgiri

After Qutubuddin Aibak, Iltutmish came on the throne of Delhi. After his death, his daughter Razia became the Sultan of Delhi. Since childhood Razia was trained in state affairs by Iltutmish. She was a capable ruler and concerned with the welfare of her people. She also lead some military campaigns. She was the first and the only woman to ascend the throne of Delhi. After Razia, Balban was an important Sultan who ruled Delhi.

After the end of the slave dynasty, the Khalji dynasty came to power. Alauddin Khalji attacked Yadavas of Devgiri and collected enormous wealth.

Devgiri was a prosperous city in the South. King Ramadevarai Yadava was ruling over Devgiri. Alauddin attacked Devgiri in 1296 C.E. In face of the sudden attack Ramadevarai took shelter in the fort of Devgiri (Daulatabad). Alauddin seized the fort. He plundered the city. There was an acute shortage of food in the fort. Finally Ramadevarai had to sign a treaty with him. Alauddin conquered nearby provinces of Devgiri as well, and collected a large booty as part of the treaty.

During 1312 C.E., Alauddin once again turned his attention towards south as Ramdevrai, the ruler of Devgiri had stopped paying the tribute to Alauddin for some time. Alauddin sent his Commander, Malik Kafur, to South. There were political and economic reasons behind this campaign. The most important reason was to subdue the Yadavas and to collect tribute from them. Alauddin had increased his army in size. He was the first Sultan to set up a permanent standing army on a large scale. He devised some new economic reforms for controlling the market prices. These new measures created a heavy strain over the state treasury. It was also necessary to keep the newly increased army and its officers busy by planning new campaigns. All these factors were responsible for his campaign in the South.

Teacher's Note

Alauddin Khalji was a strong Sultan who attacked the rich city of Devgiri to get money. He was like a person who takes other people's money by force.

Exam Trick

Remember: Alauddin Khalji attacked Devgiri in 1296 CE. He sent Malik Kafur in 1312 CE. Always remember these two years for the exam!

Points To Remember

Razia Sultan was the first woman Sultan of Delhi.
Alauddin Khalji attacked Devgiri city in 1296 CE.
Devgiri was a rich and prosperous city.
Alauddin set up the first permanent standing army.
He collected lot of wealth from Devgiri.

This is a preview of the first 3 pages. To get the complete book, click below.