Medieval Indian History

Qutbuddin Aibak founded the Slave dynasty in Delhi. In exams he is treated as the early founder of the Delhi Sultanate.

Iltutmish systematized the silver tanka and copper jital. This is important for currency based questions.

Alauddin Khalji controlled market prices to manage military expenses. Market reform is a key part of his administration.

Muhammad bin Tughlaq tried to shift the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad. It is one of his famous experiments.

Firoz Shah Tughlaq emphasized canals and public works. Remember him in the context of welfare activities.

Ibn Battuta was connected with the court of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Traveller and ruler pairs are often asked in exams.

Chahalgani was a group of powerful Turkish nobles of Iltutmish. Link it with Sultanate politics.

Bahlul Lodi founded the Lodi dynasty after gaining control of Delhi in 1451 CE. Ibrahim Lodi was the last ruler of this dynasty, while Sikandar Lodi succeeded Bahlul Lodi. Exam tip: Remember that the Lodi dynasty was the final dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.

Babur's autobiography is known as Tuzuk-i-Baburi, also called the Baburnama. It contains his account of his life, campaigns, and the conditions of his time. Ain-i-Akbari and Akbarnama are associated with Abul Fazl, whereas Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri is Jahangir's autobiography. Exam tip: Remember Mughal autobiographies together with their authors.

Sher Shah Suri developed the Grand Trunk Road. His contribution to administration and communication is important.

Sher Shah's system emphasized land measurement and revenue reforms. His administrative reforms are often asked in exams.

Akbar introduced the syncretic idea called Din-i-Ilahi. Study it with his policy of religious tolerance.

Ain-i-Akbari was written by Abul Fazl as part of Akbarnama. The author and text connection is important for exams.

The mansabdari system assigned military and administrative ranks to officials. It was a major part of Akbar's administration.

Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri is Jahangir’s autobiography and records events of his reign, administration, and personal observations. Baburnama is Babur’s autobiography, whereas Padshahnama is mainly associated with Shah Jahan’s reign. Exam tip: Memorise important Mughal texts by linking each work to its ruler.

The Red Fort in Delhi was built by Shah Jahan. His reign is considered a golden age of Mughal architecture.

Aurangzeb reimposed the jizya tax. This fact is important in questions about his religious policies.

Mughal painting received court patronage under Akbar. Akbar is important in art related questions.

Sher Shah Suri defeated Humayun and established Sur rule. This conflict caused Humayun's exile.

The direct answer is C: Krishnadevaraya. Amuktamalyada is a famous Telugu literary work traditionally attributed to Krishnadevaraya, the celebrated ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire. The reasoning is: identify the title as a Telugu work; connect it with the Vijayanagara period; remember that Krishnadevaraya was not only a powerful ruler but also a patron and author associated with Telugu literature; therefore option C is correct. Option A, Devaraya I, was an important Vijayanagara ruler, but Amuktamalyada is not the work normally associated with him. Option B, Rama Raya, was a prominent political figure of Vijayanagara, especially in a later period, but he is not credited with this literary work. Option C is correct because the standard history pairing is Amuktamalyada and Krishnadevaraya. Option D, Harihara II, was another Vijayanagara ruler, but this title is not attributed to him. The question tests a ruler-literature association, so the exact pairing matters. Memory cue: Krishnadevaraya is linked with Telugu, Amuktamalyada, and the cultural achievements of Vijayanagara.

Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah founded the Bahmani Kingdom. It was an important Muslim state of the Deccan.

Mahmud Gawan was an able minister of the Bahmani Kingdom. He is remembered for administrative reforms and support to education.

Direct answer: Option A, the Sikh tradition. Guru Nanak (1469–1539) is regarded as the first Guru and the founder of Sikhism. He taught that there is one God, that all people are equal, and that honest work, sharing with others, and remembering God are important. Step by step: the question asks which tradition began through Guru Nanak; Guru Nanak’s teachings and community developed into Sikhism; therefore Sikh tradition is correct. Option A is correct because it directly names the tradition associated with his teachings. Option B is wrong because Sufi orders belong to Islamic mystical traditions and were not founded by Guru Nanak. Option C is wrong because Vaishnavism is a Hindu tradition focused especially on devotion to Vishnu and his forms. Option D is wrong because the Nath tradition is an older yogic and ascetic tradition. Memory cue: Nanak means the beginning of the Sikh Gurus, so connect Guru Nanak with Sikh tradition and the first Guru.

Nizamuddin Auliya was a famous Sufi saint of the Chishti order. The Chishti tradition is very important among Sufi orders.

The Alvar and Nayanar saints were associated with the Tamil region of South India. Remember them as early streams of the Bhakti movement.