History Notes
Notes
The study of past events is called history. Historians divide history into three phases: Ancient
History, Medieval History, and Modern History.
The medieval period is often referred to as the Middle Ages. The Medieval Period (MP) is divided
into two periods: Early Medieval Period (700-1200 CE) and Late Medieval Period (1200-1700 CE).
The names of the Indian Subcontinent have also changed over time. In the ancient period, the
Indian Subcontinent (IS) was referred to by various names such as Aryavarta, Bharatvarsha,
Jambudwipa, Sapta Sindhu, Indoi (or Inde), Tien Chu, Yin Tu, Hindustan, Hind, and India.
The Indus River or Sindhu and its five tributaries flowed through the north-western part of India. The
Arabs and Iranians, when they came to India, mispronounced Sindhu as Hindu.
The countries in the vicinity of the Indian Subcontinent have been referred to as Suvarnabhumi or
Suvarnadweep.
Did You Know?
In Europe, the MP began around the 5th century CE and lasted until around the 16th century AD.
Major Features of India During the MP
- Emergence of feudal trends
- Establishment of Rajput kingdoms in northern and western India
- A tripartite struggle ensued between the Palas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas
- Arrival of Turks and establishment of the Delhi Sultanate
- Rise of the Bhakti and Sufi Movements
- Establishment of the Mughal Empire
- Rise of the Marathas and their conflict with the Mughals
- Economic prosperity of India attracting the Europeans
- Assertion of provincial kingdoms in southern and western India being independent
Changing Trends
There were major changes in the social, political, and economic spheres during the MP in India.
Political Changes
After the death of Harshavardhan in 647 AD, his empire broke into several independent kingdoms.
This political disintegration made the region weak and disunited to face foreign invasions. The time
was ripe for a powerful invader to attack the country.
One of the groups that became politically important as warriors and rulers in this period was the
Rajputs, derived from the Sanskrit term 'Rajputra,' which means the son of a ruler. It was a
designation often used for elite cavalry soldiers. Many new groups also emerged and became
politically important.
Religious and Cultural Changes
In the MP, three major religions existed in India: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Many sub-sects
started sprouting in most religions, leading to more social divisions. New castes also emerged, and
the caste system saw many changes, though the 'upper castes' still remained in power.
The position of women in society deteriorated further, as practices such as sati, child marriage, and
purdah became prevalent.
Some of the main developments of this period were the development of Islam and the rise of the
Bhakti Movement. This period witnessed the emergence of an Indian culture, a combination of
Hindu and Islamic traditions and customs. This composite culture is something that we are proud of
even today.
Many regional languages and dialects, spoken in India today, developed during this period. The
medieval period also recognized Urdu as a language.
Other changes included the use of new technologies such as the Persian wheel, the spinning wheel,
and firearms.
Global Trends
India had trade links with the Arabs, the Chinese, and the Turks. India's wealth, prosperity, and lack
of unity tempted many tribes and rulers from different parts of the world to conquer its territory and
establish their rule. First, the Turks, and then the Mughals, invaded India and established their
kingdoms. The Mughal rule in India lasted for more than two centuries until the British colonized
India.
Sources of History
History cannot be written solely based on information from people's memory. It must be based on
several sources, each contributing in its own way. There are two main types of sources: literary and
archaeological. They are also classified as primary and secondary sources.
Literary Sources
All written works of a language, period, or culture are considered literature. Literature can be
classified as indigenous or foreign. Indian literary sources are both religious and non-religious in
nature and provide insight into the social, political, and economic conditions of the time.
Some important literary sources include:
- Dramas, folklores, and stories: Katha Saritsagar and Brithkathaksha
- Autobiographies: Babur's Tuzuk-i-Baburi, Jahangir's Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri, and Firoz Tughlaq's
Futuhat-e-Firozshahi
- Biographies: Barani's Muntakhab-ul-Tawarikh, Abul Fazl's Ain-Abkari and Akbarnamah
- Accounts of foreign travelers: Ibn Battuta, Abdur Razzaq, Ralph Fitch, Bernier, Marco Polo, and
Nicolo de' Conti
- Farmans (royal decrees)
- Music and paintings
Archaeological Sources
The study of the past, based on material left behind by people, is called archaeology. The main
archaeological sources of the MP include:
- Buildings
- Inscriptions
- Coins
To write history, historians study these sources and then try to reconstruct past events using the
clues provided.
