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History Periods in India

History involves studying our past. Scholars divide history into three main periods: ancient, medieval, and modern. In India, history is categorized into:

• Ancient period: From the time humans started writing (around 3500 BCE) to 700 CE (around Harshavardhana's time)
• Medieval period: From 700 CE to 1700 CE (the onset of British rule in India)
• Modern period: From 1700 CE to 1947 (India's independence)

Medieval Period of Indian History

• Last year, we learnt about the history of ancient India. This year, we will study the medieval period of Indian history.
• The beginning of the medieval period in India was marked by political instability. After Harshavardhana's death in 647 CE, his empire broke up into several warring kingdoms. The rivalry and lack of unity among the rulers of these kingdoms allowed invaders from Central Asia to enter India from the north-west.
• Over the next thousand years, the Turks, the Mongols, and the Afghans went on to establish vast empires in India. They helped spread a new religion, Islam. Their rule also resulted in significant changes in the economic, social, political, and cultural aspects of Indian history.

Significant Events that Shaped the History of Medieval India

• Political instability marked the beginning of the medieval period.
• Harshavardhana's death in 647 CE led to the breakup of his empire into warring kingdoms.
• Rivalry and lack of unity among rulers allowed invaders from Central Asia to enter India.
• Over the next thousand years, Turks, Mongols, and Afghans established vast empires.
• These empires helped spread Islam in India.
• Their rule brought significant changes to economic, social, political, and cultural aspects of Indian history.

Indian History

• The emergence of regional kingdoms after the death of Harshavardhana
• The arrival of the Turks from the north-west and the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate
• The rise and spread of religious movements such as Bhakti and Sufi
• The coming of Babur and the establishment of Mughal rule in India
• The decline of Mughal power and the rise of new regional powers like the Sikhs in the north and the Marathas in the Deccan

Evolution of Names for the Indian Subcontinent:

The Indian subcontinent has been known by different names over the centuries. These names evolved with time and geographical understanding. For instance, Hindustan, initially referred to a specific region between the rivers Jhelum, Yamuna, and Ganga by early Arab chroniclers. Today, it signifies the entire country.

Alternate Names and Their Meanings:

• Name: Bharatavarsha
• Meaning: -
• Name: Aryavarta
• Meaning: -
• Name: Hind/Hindustan
• Meaning: -
• Name: Jambudvipa
• Meaning: -

• The Puranas, The Mahabharata, and the Manu Smriti are Classical Sanskrit texts.
• India is the land of the Aryans, situated between the Vindhyas and the Himalayas.
• Persian and Arabic literature from the medieval period contribute to Indian history.
• The ancient work Indica by Greek historian Ctesias mentions the river Indus and its surroundings.

Sources of Medieval Indian History

Last year, we explored the sources of ancient Indian history. Similarly, the history of medieval India is reconstructed by historians using various sources, broadly categorized into:

• Archaeological sources: Physical remnants like coins, monuments, buildings, sculptures, paintings, tools, and musical instruments aid in reconstructing historical periods.
• Literary sources: Texts and writings provide valuable insights into medieval Indian history.

Understanding Medieval Indian Art and History

• Coins from medieval India provide insights into rulers, ruling periods, economy, dynasty symbols, and empire extents.
• Numismatics is the study of coins.

Monuments and Buildings

• Forts, palaces, tombs, and places of worship reveal social, political, and economic conditions of medieval India.
• Exemplary structures like the Taj Mahal, Jama Masjid, and Qutb Minar are remnants of medieval architecture.

Paintings and Sculptures

• Miniature paintings provide detailed insights into medieval life.
• Sculptures were crafted from stone, wood, or bronze, with Chola bronze statues being notable.

Literary Sources

• Literary works of the medieval period offer valuable historical information.
• Paraphrasing and elaborating on provided content is essential for a clear understanding.

Literary Records of Medieval India

During the medieval period, India saw a rise in written records that varied in number and type. While many have been lost, some books, manuscripts, and inscriptions remain. These texts were found on materials like rock, metal plates, palm leaves, birch tree bark, cloth, bamboo leaves, and paper.

Types of Literary Records:

• A chronicle is a written account of historical events. In the medieval era, rulers had court historians who meticulously recorded events during their reigns. These chronicles offer valuable insights for historians, although they may be biased, focusing mainly on positive aspects and ignoring negatives.

Important chronicles of medieval Indian history include:

• Name of the Text: Vikramankadeva-charita
• Author: Bilhana
• Language: Sanskrit
• Name of the Text: Rajatarangini
• Author: Kalhana
• Language: Sanskrit
• Name of the Text: Prithviraj Raso
• Author: Chand Bardai
• Language: Sanskrit
• Name of the Text: Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi Ziauddin Barani
• Language: Persian
• Name of the Text: Tarikh-i-Ferishta
• Author: Ferishta
• Language: Persian

To create detailed chapter notes based on the provided content, we need to paraphrase and elaborate on the historical information provided: - In the 11th century, there are stories about Vikramaditya VI, a Chalukya king, and Athirajendra Chola. - Moving to the 12th century, there is a historical account of Kashmir. - Additionally, there is an account from the 12th century detailing the life and times of King Prithviraj Chauhan. - Progressing to the 14th century, there is a history documented about the Delhi Sultanate. - Finally, in the 17th century, there is a historical account focusing on medieval India.

Biographies, Autobiographies, and Travelogues

Biographies and Autobiographies

• A biography is a written account of a person's life by someone else.
• An autobiography is a life story written by the person themselves.
• Biographies and autobiographies of medieval rulers offer vital historical insights.

Main Examples:

• Name of the text: Futuhat-i
• Name of the text: Firuzshahi
• Name of the text: Baburnama
• Name of the text: Akbarnama

Travelogues

• Foreign travelers in medieval India wrote travelogues, aiding historical reconstruction.
• They detailed kingdoms, administrative systems, and common lives.
• Name of the text: Tahqig-i-Hind (Chronicles of India)
• Name of the text: The Travels of Marco Polo (Rihla)
• Name of the text: In Battuta
• An account of India as Marco Polo observed it
• An account of Ibn Battuta's journeys across the Islamic world
• Historians throughout history have heavily relied on the sources listed here to reconstruct the history of medieval India.