Medieval Indian History

The Mir Bakshi handled military department and mansabdar related matters. Remember Mughal posts with their functions.

The wazir or diwan was linked with finance and revenue. The post and function pair is useful for exams.

During Jahangir's reign the English East India Company expanded contact with the Mughal court. Remember the sequence of European trading companies.

Sir Thomas Roe came to Jahangir's court. The pair of travellers and Mughal rulers is important in exams.

In the 17th century, Shah Jahan established Shahjahanabad as the new Mughal capital at Delhi. The Red Fort and Jama Masjid are major monuments of this city. Fatehpur Sikri was founded by Akbar, so it is not the correct option. Exam tip: Associate Shahjahanabad with the historic area of Old Delhi.

Pietra dura is a decorative inlay technique in which coloured and semi-precious stones are cut and set into marble, often in floral designs. The decoration of the Taj Mahal is a well-known example. Iron-pillar construction belongs to metallurgy, not pietra dura. Exam tip: Associate pietra dura with the Taj Mahal and coloured-stone inlay in marble.

Aurangzeb imprisoned Shah Jahan in Agra Fort. This event is important in the Mughal war of succession.

The Adil Shahi dynasty was a Deccan sultanate of Bijapur. Remember Deccan sultanates with their regions.

Charminar is located in Hyderabad and is linked with Qutb Shahi architecture. Remember South Indian monuments with their locations.

Hampi is the major site associated with the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is very important in South Indian history.

Abdur Razzaq described the prosperity of the Vijayanagara Empire. Accounts of foreign travellers are sources of history.

Shivaji was crowned at Raigad Fort in 1674, after which he was known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The year 1665 is associated with the Treaty of Purandar, while Shivaji died in 1680. Exam tip: Remember 1674 together with Shivaji's coronation and Raigad.

Ashta Pradhan was Shivaji's council of eight ministers. It was a major institution in Maratha administration.

Shivaji defeated Afzal Khan near Pratapgarh in 1659. It was an important event in Shivaji's rise.

Namdev was a major Bhakti saint of Maharashtra. Remember regional Bhakti saints with their regions.

Tulsidas is famous for the Ramcharitmanas, composed in Awadhi. It narrates the life and ideals of Lord Rama and is a major work of Bhakti literature. Gita Govinda is a work by Jayadeva, so it is a plausible but incorrect option. Exam tip: remember the pair Tulsidas—Ramcharitmanas and Jayadeva—Gita Govinda.

Surdas was a leading poet of the Krishna Bhakti stream. He is associated with Vallabhacharya's Pushtimarg tradition, and his poetry vividly portrays child Krishna and the divine love of Radha and Krishna. Rama Bhakti is more closely associated with poets such as Tulsidas. Exam tip: Remember Surdas with Krishna Bhakti and Braj Bhasha poetry.

A khanqah was a spiritual centre for Sufi saints and followers. Remember the names of Sufi institutions.

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti was a famous saint of the Chishti order. The Ajmer dargah is a major centre of Sufi tradition.

Padmavat is a famous work of Malik Muhammad Jayasi. It is an important work of medieval literature.