Sources of Medieval History in Bihar | BPSC Preparation: All subjects - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

Sources of Medieval History in Bihar

Bihar's medieval history is documented through various sources, including archaeological evidence, literary works, and foreign accounts. The state is home to numerous tombs, mosques, and forts from the medieval period, which serve as important historical markers.

Archaeological Sources

Archaeological evidence, such as coins and inscriptions, provides valuable information about the medieval history of Bihar.

Coins

• Coins from the time of Alauddin Khilji were discovered in Jayanagar, Lakhisarai district, indicating the influence of the Delhi Sultanate in Bihar.
• The discovery of copper coins bearing the name of Bajirao Shinde confirms the strong presence of the Maratha in the region.
• An Arabic inscription from 1326 AD found on the wall of Jama Mosque in Darbhanga indicates that Darbhanga became a mint town during the reign of Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq.
• Akbar established Taksals (minting houses) in Patna, Azimabad, and Rajmahal after 1580 AD, where coins were produced.

Inscriptions

• Inscriptions from medieval Bihar can be categorized into Arabic and Persian inscriptions and Non-Persian inscriptions.
• Arabic and Persian inscriptions are commonly found on the walls of mosques, tombs, and imambaras in places like Patna, Bihar Sharif, Sasaram, and Rajmahal.
• Notable inscriptions include one from Sher Shah's tomb dated 1545 AD and the Bedibun inscription of Muhammad-ibn-Yussaf, highlighting the expansion of Muslim rule in Bihar.
• Non-Persian inscriptions provide information about the small kingdoms that emerged after the fall of the Pala dynasty. Important non-Persian inscriptions include the Sanokhar inscription of Ballalsena, the Maner copper plate inscription about the rule of the Gahadalavas, the Simraon pillar inscriptions, the Andhrathadi inscriptions, and the inscriptions of Pratapmalla about the rule of the Karnatas in Bihar.

Monuments

• Monuments in Bihar offer insights into the social, religious, and economic conditions of the state under various rulers. In the early 19th century, Buchanan compiled a report on the historical monuments and inscriptions of Bihar. 
• Subsequent lists of important monuments and places were created by Dr. R. Patil of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the 1950s and by Z.A. Desai in 1960. These efforts contributed to a better understanding of Bihar's medieval history. Currently, the ASI has recognized 70 monuments of national importance in Bihar.

Famous Monument Sites in Bihar

Literary Sources

Literary sources that provide information about the medieval history of Bihar include works such as:

• Tabaqat-i-Nasiri by Minhaj-us-Siraj
• Tazzuk-i-Babri by Babur, written in Turkish
• Akbar Nama by Abul Faz’l
• Tarikh-i-Shershahi by Abbas Sarvani
• Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi by Ziauddin Barani
• Riyaz-us-Salatin by Gulam Hussain Salim

Local writers’ works in Maithili and Sanskrit, such as:

• Kirtilata
• Kritpataka of Vidhyapati
• Varnaratnakar of Jyotirishwar
• Rajnitiratnakar of Chandreshwar Vachaspati

Sufi literature such as Tajkira, Maktubat, and Malkujat also provides insights into the medieval history of Bihar.

Foreigners Accounts

Accounts by foreign travelers, including:

• Mullah Takiya
• Abdul Latif
• Mohammad Sadiq Wahbahani
• Basatin-ul-Uns
• Peter Mundi
• John Travernier
• Mannuchi Bishop
• Ralph Fitch