Syllabus of Medieval History for UPSC

Medieval India

Major Dynasties (750-1200) of Early Medieval India

• The Pratiharas (8th to 10th Century)

• The Palas (8th to 11th Century)

• The Tripartite Conflict

• The Senas (11th to 12th Century)

• The Rajaputas

• Pallavas

• Chalukyas

• Rashtrakutas

• Indian Feudalism

• Administration

• Society and Culture

• Economy and the decline of Trade

Cholas and Other South Indian Kingdoms

• Chola Rulers and Political History

• Chola Administration

• Socio-Economic Life

• Education and Literature

• The Cheras (9th to 12th Century)

• The Yadavas (12th to 13th Century)

• Contact with South-East Asia

Early Muslim Invasions

• The Arab Conquest of Sindh

• Mahmud of Ghazni

• Muhammad Ghori

The Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526 AD)

• Slave Dynasty

• Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320 AD)

• Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414 AD)

• Provincial Kingdoms and Resistance by Indian Chiefs

• Sayyid Dynasty

• Lodi Dynasty

• Attacks by Mongolas and other Turks

• Administration

• Economy

• Urbanization

• Society and Culture

• Scientific Knowledge and legal System

• Challenges leading to the decline of the Sultanate

Struggle for Empire in North India (Afghans, Rajputs and Mughals)

• Struggle between Ibrahim Lodi and Babur

• The Battle of Panipat

• Babur’s problems after the Battle of Panipat

• Struggle with RanaSanga

• Problems of the Eastern Areas and the Afghans

• Babur’s Contribution and Significance of his Advent into India

• Humayun and the Afghans

• Early Activities of Humayun, and the Tussle with Bahadur Shah

• The Gujarat Campaign

• The Bengal Campaign, and Struggle with Sher Khan

The Establishment of the North Indian Empire

• Social and Political Background of Bihar  and the Rise of Sher Shah to Power

• The Sur Empire (1540-56)

• Contributions of Sher Shah

• Coinage

• Architecture 

Consolidation and Expansion of the Empire – Akbar

• Conflict with the Afghans – Hemu

• 2nd Battle of Panipat

• Struggle with the Nobility: Bairam Khan’s Regency; Revolt of Uzbek Nobles

• Early Expansion of the Empire (1560-76) – Malwa, Garh-Katanga, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Eastern India

• Relations with the Rajputs – Growth of a Composite Ruling Class Rebellions, and Further Expansion of the Empire in the North West

State and Government under Akbar

• Akbar’s Concept of Suzerainty

• Structure of Government, Central and Provincial -the Vikalat, the Central Ministries, Provincial Government, District and Local Government

• The Working of Government – the Ruler, Land-Revenue System, the Dahsala System, the Mansabdari System and the Army

Akbar’s Religious Views

• Relations with the Ulama and Social Reforms

• The Early Phase (1556-73)

• The Second Phase (1573-80) – the Ibadat Khana

• Debates – the Mahzar – Breach with Orthodox

• Ulama – Re-organisation of Madadd-i-Maash Grants

• Third or Final Phase – Din-i-Ilahi – State Policies and religious toleration

The Deccan and the Mughals (Up to 1657)

• The Deccani States up to 1595

• Mughal Advance towards the Deccan

• Mughal Conquest of Berar, Khandesh and Parts of Ahmadnagar

• Rise of Malik Ambar Mughal Attempt at Consolidation (1601-27)

• Extinction of Ahmadnagar,Acceptance of Mughal

• Suzerainty by Bijapur and Golconda

• Shah Jahan and the Deccan (1636-57)

• Cultural Contribution of the Deccani States

Foreign Policy of the Mughals

• Akbar and the Uzbeks

• The Question of Qandahar and Relations with Iran

• Shah Jahan’s Balkh Campaign

• Mughal – Persian Relations – the Last Phase

India in the First Half of the Seventeenth Century

• Jahangir’s Accession – his Early Difficulties

• Territorial Consolidation and Expansion of the Empire – Mewar, East India and Kangra

• NurJahan, and the NurJahan ‘Junta’ The Rebellions of Shah Jahan, and the coup de main of Mahabat Khan

• Jahangir as a Ruler

• State and Religion in the First Half of the Seventeenth Century

• Shah Jahan – Consolidation and Expansion of the Empire

• Evolution of the Mughal Ruling Class and the Mansabdari System

Climax and Crisis of the Mughal Empire: The Marathas and the Deccan

• Rise of the Marathas – Early Career of Shivaji

• Treaty of Purandar – the Agra Visit

• Aurangzeb and the Deccani States (1658-87)

• Marathas and the Decean (1687-1707)

• Assessment of Aurangzeb and the Jagirdari Crisis

The Maratha and Other Indian States and Society in The 18th Century

• The Marathas and their Policy of Expansion

• The Marathas and Nizam-ul-Mulk

• The Maratha Advance into Gujarat and Malwa

• The Maratha Advance into Doab and Punjab:

• First Phase (1741-52); Second Phase (1752-61);

• Third Battle of Panipat

• Shivaji (1627-1680)

• Shivaji’s administration

• Successors of Shivaji

• The Peshwas (1713-1818)

• Other Indian States ( The Bhonsles The Gaikwads Holkars Sindhias)

• Economic  Condition, Social and Cultural Life in 18th Century

Vijayanagar Empire

• Sources

• Political History

• Administration

• Social and Cultural Life

• Economic Condition

• Conflicts with the Bahmani Kingdom

Regional States in the Medieval Period

• Regional States of North and South India (Bahmani, Bengal, Avadh, The Sikhs, Rajput States Jats Hyderabad Mysore)

• Social, Cultural, Economic and Military Conditions

Northern India in the First Half of the Eighteenth Century

• Bahadur Shah I, and the Beginning of the Struggle For Wizarat

• Rajput Affairs

• Marathas and the Deccan – Accentuation of the Party Struggle

• Struggle for ‘New’ Wizarat: Zulfiqar Khan and Jahandar Shah (1712-13)

• The Saiyid Brothers’ Struggle for ‘New’ Wizarat

• The Saiyid ‘New’ Wizarat

• The Wizarat of M. Amin Khan and Nizam-ul-Mulk

• Rise of Regional States, Beginning of Foreign Invasions of India (1725-48)

Society-Structure and Growth

• Rural Society

• Towns and Town Life

• Artisans and Master-Craftsmen

• Women

• Servants and Slaves

• Standard of Living

• The Ruling Classes – Nobility, Rural Gentry

• The Middle Strata

• The Commercial Classes

Economic Life-Patterns and Prospects

• Inland Trade

• Overseas Trade – Role of Foreign Trading

• Companies – Position of Indian Merchants Over-land Trade

• The Mughal State and Commerce

• Trend of India’s Economy and Prospects during the First Half of the Eighteenth Century