Medieval Indian History Timeline (இடைக்கால இந்திய வரலாறு காலவரிசை)
TNPSC Syllabus Wise MCQs 👇Try our Test Hub 👑
Medieval Indian History Timeline
note
This timeline covers the major political and cultural developments in India from the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate in the 13th century to the decline of the Mughal Empire and the rise of regional powers.
Detailed Chronological Events
- Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 CE): A series of five successive dynasties—Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi—that established Muslim rule in India and laid the administrative and architectural groundwork for subsequent empires.
- Mughal Empire (1526-1857 CE): Founded by Babur, this empire became one of the largest in Indian history. It was marked by a rich cultural synthesis, architectural marvels like the Taj Mahal, and a centralized administrative system under emperors like Akbar.
- Vijayanagara & Deccan Sultanates (c. 1336-1646 CE): While the north was under the Sultanate, the south saw the rise of the powerful Hindu Vijayanagara Empire and the competing Bahmani Kingdom, which later fragmented into the Deccan Sultanates. This period was characterized by intense conflict and rich cultural exchange.
- Regional Kingdoms & Powers: Alongside major empires, powerful regional kingdoms thrived, including the Rajputs of Mewar, the Sikh movement in Punjab, the rising Marathas under Shivaji, and the Ahoms in Assam, each contributing uniquely to India's political and cultural fabric.
- Socio-Religious Movements: The medieval period was marked by the influential Bhakti and Sufi movements, which promoted devotion, equality, and communal harmony, profoundly shaping regional literature and culture.
Delhi Sultanate (டெல்லி சுல்தானகம்)
Slave Dynasty (1206-1290)
- Qutb-ud-din Aibak: Founded the Delhi Sultanate and began the construction of the Qutub Minar.
- Iltutmish: Consolidated the Sultanate, introduced the Iqta system, and issued Tanka and Jital coins. He is considered the real founder of the Sultanate's power.
- Razia Sultan: The first and only female Muslim ruler of Delhi, she faced significant opposition but remains an impactful figure.
- Ghiyas-ud-din Balban: Strengthened the central authority with a "blood and iron" policy and enhanced the prestige of the Sultan.
Khilji Dynasty (1290-1320)
- Jalal-ud-din Firuz Khilji: Founder of the dynasty, known for his lenient rule.
- Alauddin Khilji: A powerful and ambitious ruler known for his revolutionary market reforms, military innovations (Dagh and Chehra), and successful campaigns into the Deccan.
Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414)
- Muhammad bin Tughlaq: Known for his visionary but often failed experiments, such as the transfer of the capital to Daulatabad and the introduction of token currency.
- Firuz Shah Tughlaq: Focused on public works like canals and hospitals but weakened the central authority by re-imposing the Jizya tax and making the Iqta system hereditary.
Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451)
- Khizr Khan: The founder of this short-lived dynasty, which ruled during a period of instability and decline.
Lodi Dynasty (1451-1526)
- Bahlul Lodi: Founded the first Afghan dynasty in India.
- Ibrahim Lodi: The last ruler of the Delhi Sultanate, he was defeated by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526, which led to the establishment of the Mughal Empire.
Mughal Empire (முகலாயப் பேரரசு)
- Babur (1526-1530): Founder of the Mughal Empire in India after his victory at Panipat. He authored the Tuzuk-i-Baburi (Baburnama).
- Humayun (1530-1540 & 1555-1556): His reign was interrupted by Sher Shah Suri, forcing him into exile before he regained the empire.
- Akbar (1556-1605): Considered the greatest Mughal Emperor, he consolidated the empire, introduced the Mansabdari system, and promoted religious tolerance through Sulh-i-Kul and Din-i-Ilahi.
- Jahangir (1605-1627): A great patron of art, particularly miniature painting. His reign was heavily influenced by his wife, Nur Jahan.
- Shah Jahan (1627-1658): His era is known as the golden age of Mughal architecture, marked by the construction of the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort in Delhi, and the Jama Masjid.
- Aurangzeb (1658-1707): The last of the great Mughals, he expanded the empire to its territorial zenith but also sowed the seeds of its decline through his Deccan campaigns and intolerant policies.
Vijayanagara & Deccan Sultanates (விஜயநகரம் மற்றும் தக்காண சுல்தானகங்கள்)
- Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646): Founded by Harihara and Bukka, it was the last great Hindu kingdom in South India. Its greatest ruler was Krishnadevaraya. The empire was known for its administrative Nayankara system and the magnificent capital at Hampi. Its power declined after the Battle of Talikota in 1565.
- Bahmani Kingdom (1347-1527): The first independent Muslim kingdom in the Deccan, founded by Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah. It was in constant conflict with the Vijayanagara Empire.
- Deccan Sultanates: After the fragmentation of the Bahmani Kingdom, five successor states emerged: Bijapur (known for Gol Gumbaz), Golconda (Charminar), Ahmadnagar, Bidar, and Berar. They were centers of regional culture and art.
Regional Kingdoms and Powers (பிராந்திய ராஜ்ஜியங்கள்)
- Rajput Kingdoms: States like Mewar, under rulers like Rana Sanga and Maharana Pratap, were notable for their fierce resistance to Mughal dominance.
- Sikh Movement: Evolved from a spiritual movement founded by Guru Nanak into a militant community under Guru Gobind Singh, who established the Khalsa in 1699.
- Maratha Rise: Under the leadership of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Marathas challenged Mughal supremacy using guerrilla tactics and established an efficient administration, laying the foundation for a future empire.
- Other Regional Powers: Kingdoms like the Ahoms of Assam, the Bengal Sultanate, and the Gujarat Sultanate maintained significant regional influence and developed unique cultural and architectural styles.
Socio-Religious Movements (சமூக-மத இயக்கங்கள்)
- Bhakti Movement: This movement emphasized personal devotion to God and challenged the caste system and ritualism. Key figures like Kabir, Guru Nanak, Mirabai, and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu promoted equality and composed devotional literature in vernacular languages.
- Sufi Movement: A mystical branch of Islam that promoted tolerance, service to humanity, and direct communion with God. Sufi saints like Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Nizamuddin Auliya fostered communal harmony and cultural exchange.