Quick Revision Notes

Class 7: Social Science (History)

Chapter: Delhi: 12th to 15th Century (दिल्ली: 12वीं से 15वीं शताब्दी)

### 1. Introduction to the Delhi Sultans

Overview: Delhi first became the capital of a kingdom under the Tomara Rajputs, who were defeated in the middle of the 12th century by the Chahamanas (also known as Chauhans) of Ajmer.
Transformation: It was under the Delhi Sultans (starting from the 13th century) that Delhi transformed into a capital that controlled vast areas of the subcontinent.
The Five Dynasties: The rulers of Delhi are collectively referred to as "Sultans" and their period as the Delhi Sultanate (1206 CE – 1526 CE).

### 2. The Five Dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526)

Here is the chronological order of the dynasties that ruled Delhi:

Early Turkish Rulers / Slave Dynasty (मम्लुक वंश): 1206 – 1290
- Key Rulers: Qutb-ud-din Aibak, Shams-ud-din Iltutmish, Razia Sultan, Ghiyas-ud-din Balban.
Khilji Dynasty (खिलजी वंश): 1290 – 1320
- Key Rulers: Jalal-ud-din Khilji, Ala-ud-din Khilji.
Tughlaq Dynasty (तुगलक वंश): 1320 – 1414
- Key Rulers: Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq, Firuz Shah Tughlaq.
Sayyid Dynasty (सैयद वंश): 1414 – 1451
- Key Rulers: Khizr Khan.
Lodi Dynasty (लोदी वंश): 1451 – 1526
- Key Rulers: Bahlul Lodi, Sikandar Lodi, Ibrahim Lodi (defeated by Babur in 1526).

### 3. Finding out about the Delhi Sultans (Sources of Information)

Historians rely on various sources to understand the Delhi Sultanate:

Inscriptions, Coins, and Architecture: Provide physical evidence of the period.
Tarikh / Tawarikh (तारीख / तवारीख): Histories written in Persian (the administrative language of the state) by learned authors like administrators, poets, secretaries, and courtiers.
Key Writers: Minhaj-i-Siraj and Ziauddin Barani.

Important Note on Tawarikh:

Authors of tawarikh lived in cities (mostly Delhi) and rarely in villages.

They wrote histories for the Sultans in the hope of rich rewards.

They advised rulers on the need to preserve an "ideal" social order based on birthright and gender distinctions.

### 4. Administration and Control under Khiljis and Tughlaqs

Expanding and controlling a vast empire like the Delhi Sultanate required strong administration.

Iqta System (इक्ता प्रणाली):
- The territories of the Sultanate were divided into tracts called Iqtas.
- The holders of these lands were called Iqtadars or Muqtis.
- Duty of Muqti: To lead military campaigns and maintain law and order in their iqtas. In lieu of their services, they collected revenues as salary.
Bandagan (बंदगान):
- Special slaves purchased for military service by early Sultans (especially Iltutmish).
- They were carefully trained to hold some of the most important political offices in the kingdom.
Market Control and Revenue Reforms (Ala-ud-din Khilji):
- Land revenue was fixed at 50% of the peasant's yield.
- Strict control over grain prices and markets in Delhi to feed soldiers and manage the economy.
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq's Experiments:
- Token Currency: Introduced bronze/copper coins instead of gold/silver (which failed due to the circulation of fake coins).
- Shift of Capital: Moved the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad (in the south) and later shifted it back, causing immense hardship to the people.

### 5. Architecture and Society

Key Monuments: Qutb Minar, Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque, Alai Darwaza, Tomb of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq, etc.
Mosque (मस्जिद): A place where Muslims prostrate themselves in reverence to Allah.
- Imam: The leader of the prayer during Friday prayers (Khutba).
- Qibla: The direction facing Mecca, which Muslims face during prayer.

### 6. Key Vocabulary

Sultan: Ruler or king.
Khiraj: Land revenue collected from peasants (amounting to about 50% of the produce).
Client: A person who is under the protection of another; a dependent or hanger-on.
Gender: Social differences between men and women (e.g., Razia Sultan faced discrimination simply because she was a woman, despite being more able than her brothers).

Delhi: 12th to 15th Century

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