Medieval Indian History for UPSC Prelims

I. Introduction and Framework

  1. Periodization of Medieval Indian History
  2. Sources of Medieval Indian History

II. Early Medieval India

  1. Decline of Centralized Empires
  2. Indian Feudalism - Concepts, Developments and Impacts
  3. The Rajput States of North India
  4. The Pala Empire in Bengal and Bihar
  5. The Gurjara-Pratihara Dynasty
  6. The Rashtrakutas in Deccan Politics
  7. Tripartite Struggle (Kannauj Triangle Wars)
  8. Regional Small Regional Kingdoms
  9. Legacy of Early Medieval Indian Politics
  10. Political Conditions of Early Medieval India
  11. Trade and Economy in Early Medieval India
  12. Art and Architecture of Early Medieval India

III. The Delhi Sultanate

  1. Early Muslim Invasions
  2. Foundation of the Delhi Sultanate
  3. The Slave Dynasty
  4. Qutbuddin Aibak and Iltutmish: Expansion and Consolidation
  5. Razia Sultan and Early Challenges to the Sultanate
  6. Balban and the Concept of Kingship
  7. The Khalji Revolution
  8. Alauddin Khalji’s Conquests and Reforms
  9. The Tughlaq Dynasty: Muhammad bin Tughlaq and His Policies
  10. Firoz Shah Tughlaq and the Decline of the Tughlaqs
  11. Timur’s Invasion and Its Impact
  12. The Sayyid Dynasty
  13. The Lodi Dynasty
  14. Administration and Governance in the Delhi Sultanate
  15. Society and Caste during the Sultanate Era
  16. Economy during Sultanate Era
  17. Literature, Learning, and Persian Influence
  18. Art and Architecture under the Sultanate
  19. Regional Powers During the Sultanate Period
  20. The Fall of the Delhi Sultanate

   IV. The Mughal Empire

  1. Babur and the Founding of the Mughal Empire
  2. Humayun: Struggle and Exile
  3. Sher Shah Suri and Administrative Innovations
  4. Akbar: Expansion and Policies
  5. Akbar’s Religious Policy
  6. Jahangir: Consolidation and Court Culture
  7. Shah Jahan: The Golden Age of Mughals
  8. Aurangzeb – Politics
  9. Aurangzeb’s Policies Toward Religion
  10. Later Mughals and The Decline of the Mughal Empire
  11. Mughal Administration: Mansabdari and Revenue Systems
  12. Mughal Military Organization and Technology
  13. Society under the Mughals: Nobility and Peasants
  14. Economic Life under Mughals
  15. Art and Architecture of the Mughal Era
  16. Literature in Mughal India
  17. Women in Mughal Society
  18. Science and Technology in Mughal India
  19. Cultural Legacy of the Mughals
  20. Political Economy of the Mughal Empire
  21. Mughal Empire Foreign Relations
  22. Foreign Trade and European Traders in Mughal India

V. Regional Powers During Mughal Era

  1. Regional Rebellions Against the Mughals
  2. Rise of Marathas Under Shivaji
  3. The Sikh Empire - History and Administration
  4. The Role of Regional Powers in Mughal Decline

   VI. Regional Kingdoms – Vijayanagara Empire

  1. Political History of Vijayanagar Empire
  2. Administration and Governance
  3. Military Organization and Strategies
  4. Society under the Vijayanagara Empire
  5. Economic Prosperity and Trade Networks
  6. Art and Architecture of Vijayanagara
  7. Religious Policies and Cultural Synthesis
  8. Literature and Learning
  9. Decline of the Vijayanagara Empire

VII. Regional Kingdoms – Deccan Sultanates

  1. The Bahmani Sultanate
  2. Emergence of the Five Deccan Sultanates
  3. Ahmednagar Sultanate
  4. Bijapur Sultanate
  5. Golconda Sultanate
  6. Bidar Sultanate
  7. Berar Sultanate
  8. Wars and Alliances Among the Sultanates
  9. Cultural Contributions of the Deccan Sultanates
  10. Economic Structure of the Deccan Sultanates
  11. The Decline of the Deccan Sultanates

VIII. Other Regional Kingdoms

  1. The Nayaka and Wodeyar Dynasties
  2. The Ahom Kingdom of Assam
  3. The Kingdom of Mysore: Tipu Sultan
  4. The Rise of Bengal Nawabs
  5. The Nawabs of Awadh
  6. Hyderabad – Asaf Jahi Dynasty
  7. The Jat Kingdom of Bharatpur
  8. Rohillas and Rohilkhand
  9. Travancore Kingdom in Kerala
  10. The Maratha Confederacy

   IX. Cultural and Religious Developments in Medieval India

  1. Origin and Philosophical Foundations of Bhakti
  2. Bhakti Movement – Important Bhakti Saints
  3. Impact of Bhakti Movement on Society
  4. Origin and Concepts in Sufism
  5. Sufi Movement – Important Sufi Mystics
  6. Influence of Sufism on Indian Society
  7. Other religious Movements and Sects in Medieval India
  8. Developments in Indian Classical Music
  9. Developments in Indian Classical Dances
  10. Growth of Regional Languages