2nd SEMESTERS
MAJOR
HST223J: HISTORY: HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL INDIA
Credits: THEORY-4, TUTORIAL: 2)
Course Overview
The course discusses the establishment and expansion of Delhi Sultanate and
subsequently the Mughal Empire. The Working of State and Administrative
Structures are discussed in historical perspective. The engagement of State with
people and mode of governance find due space. The antagonistic interest and
unresolved conflict between monarchy and nobility is underscored to explain rise
and fall of different dynasties and parties in Medieval India. The paper also
explores the socio-economic forces that shaped the medieval milieu. The pivotal
role played by Bhakti-Sufi traditions in the making of composite Indian cultures is
accorded prominence.
As the paper unfolds, the historical discussion moves from North to South India
where the rise and working of majestic Vijayanagara empire with flourishing
economy is discussed. The Bahmani Kingdom that became the harbinger of
Synthesis of Indo-Islamic culture finds its due space. The Rise of Marathas
underShivaji marks the beginning of resistance to Mughal rule culminating into the
decline of the Mughal empire itself. The paper attempts to introduce the learners to
changing contours of Medieval Indian history.
Course Learning Outcomes:
After successful completion of the course the learners are expected to:
a. Engage with the medieval period in Indian History
b. Develop an understanding of power relations and administrative
structures
c. Understand the negotiation between the monarchy and nobility that
accounted for changes inpolity and administrative mechanisms
d. Evaluate the rise and working of supra-regional kingdoms and
emergence of regional resistance to empires.
e. Understand socio-economic forces that shaped the medieval ways of
life
Unit – I
I. Foundation and Expansion of Sultanate
II. Administration: Central and Provincial
III. Agrarian Economy under Sultans
Unit-II
I. Vijayanagara Empire: State and Economy
II. Bahmani Kingdom: Administration and Nobility
III. Bhakti-Sufi Traditions: Main Teachings
Unit-III
I. Foundation and Consolidation of Mughal Empire
II. Mughal Administration: Central and Provincial
III. Agrarian system: Revenue Assessment and Collection
Unit-IV
I. Decline of Mughal Empire
II. Medieval Architecture: Salient Features
III. Rise of Marathas: Role of Shivaji
TUTORIALS (2 CREDITS; 30 HOURS)
Tutorial-I:
I. Debates/ Group discussions on select themes relevant to the course
II. Towards the Making and Development of Heritage Museum: Collection of
Artifacts
Tutorial-II:
I. Debate/ group discussion on medieval architecture/ monuments
II. Guided tour and report writing on any prominent Mughal garden/monument.
Selected Readings
Burton Stein, 1989, Vijanagra, Cambridge University press, Cambridge.
Satish Chandra, 2003, Medieval India, Orient Blackswan, New Delhi.
B.D Chattopadhyay,1998, The Making of Early Medieval India, O.U.P., New Delhi.
U. N. Day, 1959, Administrative System of Delhi Sultanate, Kitab Mahal, Allahabad.
Michel Fisher, 2016, A Short History of Mughal Empire, London.
Irfan Habib, 2008, Medieval India-A Study of Civilization, National Book Trust, New
Delhi.
Irfan Habib, Agrarian System of Mughal India 1556-1707, 2013, OUP, India.
A. B. M Habibullah, 1945, The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India, Sh. Muhammad
Ashraf, Lahore.
Peter Jackson, 1999, The Delhi Sultanate: A Political and Military
History,CUP,Cambridge.
NobruKrishma, 1992, Towards a New Formation; South Indian Society Under
Vijaynagra Rule, Oxford
University Press, New Delhi.
K. A Nizami, 1961, Some Aspects of Religion and Politics in the Thirteenth Century
India, AMU,
K. A NilakantaSastri, 1955, A History of South India, Oxford University Press, London.
Sunil Sharma, 2007, The Emergence of Delhi Sultanate, 1192-1286, Permanent Black,
Ranikhet.
HS.A.S. Rizvi, 1987, The Wonder That was India, A Survey of the History of Culture of
the Indian Sub-continent from the coming of Muslims to the British Conquest 1200-
1700,Vol. II,Sidwick& Jackson, London
