Medieval Indian History

The Bahmani capital was later shifted from Gulbarga to Bidar. Capital shifts of Deccan states are asked in exams.

The Mahmud Gawan Madrasa is located in Bidar. It is linked with education and architecture of the Bahmani period.

Malik Ambar was a leading military commander and administrator of the Nizam Shahi state of Ahmadnagar. He effectively resisted Mughal expansion in the Deccan and used guerrilla-style tactics. Bijapur and Golconda were other Deccan sultanates, but they were not his principal state. Exam tip: Associate Malik Ambar with Ahmadnagar, the Nizam Shahis, and resistance to the Mughals.

The Peshwa was the chief minister among the Ashta Pradhan. Remember Maratha administrative posts with their functions.

Sar-i-Naubat was a post related to the military department. Remember Ashta Pradhan posts with separate functions.

Shivaji first raided Surat in 1664. Dates of Maratha activities are important in exams.

Chauth generally meant one fourth of the revenue. It is an important term in Maratha finance.

Guru Hargobind emphasized the idea of Miri and Piri. It was linked with temporal and spiritual authority.

The construction of Harmandir Sahib is associated with Guru Arjan. This religious centre is very important in Sikh history.

Bijak is a major collection associated with Kabir's sayings. In saint literature remember texts with saints.

Ravidas emphasized devotion and social equality. Social teachings of Bhakti saints are asked in exams.

Basavanna was associated with the Lingayat movement. His place is important in South Indian religious reform movements.

Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi was associated with the Naqshbandi order. Remember Sufi orders and saints separately.

Amir Khusrau is popularly associated with the sitar tradition. His name is important in both literature and music.

Ziauddin Barani's Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi is an important source of Sultanate history. Remember sources with authors.

Futuhat-i-Firoz Shahi is an account associated with Firoz Shah Tughlaq. Remember Tughlaq period sources by name.

The Sharqi dynasty was associated with the Jaunpur kingdom. The pair of regional kingdoms and dynasties is useful in exams.

Persian was the main language of administration and court in the Delhi Sultanate. Language based questions in medieval administration are directly asked.

Qutbuddin Aibak was Muhammad Ghori's general and later strengthened power in Delhi. Remember the link between Ghori and Aibak for exams.

Iltutmish followed a cautious policy against the Mongols. His diplomacy was important for the Sultanate's security.