Turkish Invasions (1000-1200 AD)

Turkish Invasions: The Age of Conflict (1000-1200 AD)

• The Tripartite Struggle for North India's domination among the Palas, Rashtrakutas, and Pratiharas concluded with all three empires weakened around 1000 AD
• Political disintegration in North India and rapid changes in West and Central Asia led to Turkish incursions
• This period (1000-1200 AD) marks the beginning of Turkish rule in India

Background to the Invasions

• The Abbasid Caliphate in West Asia fragmented into states ruled by Islamized Turks by the end of the 9th century
• Provincial governors asserted independence due to the decline of central authority
• Continuous incursions by Turkish tribes led to rapid rise and fall of empires
• No attention was given to Turkish expansion on North Western border
• Kabul, Kandahar, and areas south were considered part of Al Hind (India) until the 9th century
• The area housed Hindu and Buddhist shrines, including the 53.5-meter tall Buddha statue of Bamiyan
• Dynasties near the River Oxus (Amu Darya) claimed descent from Kanishka

The Ghaznavids

• The Ghaznavid Empire emerged in the late 9th century in Transoxiana, Khurasan, and parts of Iran
• They claimed descent from the Samanids and fought against non-Muslim tribes on their northern and eastern frontiers
• Ghazi warriors, both fighters and missionaries, emerged
• Alptigin, a Turkish slave, established an independent kingdom in Ghazni
• Their goal was to protect Islamic lands
• Mahmud of Ghazni ruled from 998-1030.
• During his reign, there was a resurgence of Iranian patriotism and Persian language and culture
• Mahmud is viewed differently: a hero of Islam by medieval Muslim historians, but as a plunderer and destroyer of temples in India.
• Mahmud is said to have raided India 17 times, initially targeting the Hindu Shahi rulers
• Mahmud defeated Anandapala, son of Jayapala, in 1009
• This battle diminished the Shahis' power
• Mahmud expanded his territory up to the Jhelum River
• No Rajput ruler aided the Shahis
• Mahmud undertook expeditions in the Indo-Gangetic plains, looting rich temples and towns to fund Central Asian wars
• Not annexing any states due to distance from Ghazni except North West India
• Mahmud raided Kannauj in 1018 and Somnath (Gujarat) in 1025
• He destroyed the Shivlingam at Somnath which sought to shock the Rajputs
• He punished the Jats for resisting him on his return from Somnath raid
• Mahmud died in 1030

Effects of Mahmud of Ghazni's Raids

• The Khyber Pass, gateway of India, was permanently in foreign hands
• Rajput states were defeated and demoralized
• India's political division and disunity were exposed
• Massacres of citizens, looting of cities and temples, and forced conversions to Islam occurred

The Rajput States

• Several Rajput states emerged in North India after the decline of the Pratihara Empire
• Main Rajput states: the Gahadavalas of Kannauj, the Paramaras of Malwa, and the Chauhans of Ajmer
• Minor dynasties: Kalachuris of Jabalpur, the Chandelas of Bundelkhand, Chalukyas of Gujarat, Tomars of Delhi, etc.
• Bengal remained under the Palas under Palas, and later the Senas
• The Gahadvala kingdom extended from Munger (Bihar) to Delhi
• Govind Chandra (1114-1155) was its greatest ruler
• Kannauj was its capital, and Banaras was its second capital
• The Gahadavalas were the main defenders against Ghaznavid raids
• The Chauhans established their capital at Nadol in the 10th century
• Vigraharaja, a great ruler of the Chauhans, established Ajmer (Ajayameru) as his capital
• Vigraharaja captured Delhi from the Tomars in 1151
• Vigraharaja was in constant conflict with Bhoja, the famous ruler of the Paramaras of Malwa
• Prithviraj III, the most famous ruler of the Chauhans, ascended the throne in 1177
• Prithviraj III expanded his territory, conquering several small Rajput states, but faced resistance from the Chalukya ruler of Gujarat
• The Rajput rulers were weakened by internal power struggles and rivalries

Muhammad of Ghor and the Ghurid Conquests

• The Ghurids started as vassals of Ghazni but eventually overthrew the Ghaznavid Empire
• The Khwarzim Empire prevented Ghurid expansion in Central Asia
• The Ghurids had no option but to expand towards India
• Shahabuddin Muhammad of Ghor (Muhammad of Ghur, 1173-1206) took the throne in Ghazni in 1173
• He conquered Multan and Uch via the Gomal Pass
• Gujarat ruler defeated Muhammad Ghori near Mount Abu in 1178
• After conquering Peshawar, Lahore, and Sialkot, Muhammad prepared to attack Delhi and the Gangetic Doab by 1190
• Delhi was captured by the Chauhans in 1151 and already under their power
• The Chauhans' expansion towards Punjab led to direct conflict with the Ghurids
• The Battle of Tarain was triggered by a claim over the Tabarhind fort (present-day Bhatinda, Punjab)
• In the First Battle of Tarain (1191), the Chauhans defeated the Ghurid forces
• In 1192, Muhammad regrouped his forces, the battle becoming a turning point in Indian history
• Factors such as the better organisation of the Turkish army led to the defeat of the Chahamanas
• The Turkish army conquered Ajmer
• Prithviraj was initially allowed to rule Ajmer for some time before being executed later due to conspiracy charges
• The Turks targeted Ganga Valley

Turkish Conquest of the Ganga Valley

• Between 1192 and 1206, the Turkish rule expanded to the Ganga-Yamuna Doab and surrounding areas
• They overran Bihar and Bengal
• Turks had to defeat powerful Gadhawala Kingdom of Kannauj
• Gadhawala ruler Jayachandra ruled peacefully for two decades
• Muhammad Ghori left Indian affairs to Qutb-ud-din Aibak
• Turks first occupied the upper Doab due to lack of opposition by the Gadhawalas in 1194
• A fierce battle was fought between Jayachandra and Muhammad at Chandawar near Kannauj
• This resulted in the death of Jayachandra that ensured no resistance
• The Turks destroyed temples in the Battle of Chandawar
• The Battle of Tarain and Chandawar set up the foundation of Turkish rule in North India
• By 1206, the Turks occupied Bayana and Gwalior
• Aibak conquered Kalinjar, Mahoba, and Khajuraho from the Chandela rulers
• The Turks raided neighboring areas, including Gujarat, where Aibak defeated the ruler Bhima II in 1197 and destroyed towns
• Bakhtiyar Khalji, in charge of areas beyond Banaras, frequently raided Bihar
• He attacked and destroyed Buddhist monasteries in Bihar, Nalanda, and Vikramashila
• Khalji defeated the Sena ruler Lakshmana Sena in Nadia in 1204 and occupied Lakhnauti (Sena capital)
• Khalji attempted to expand into the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam but failed due to resistance from the local rulers
• In 1203, Muhammad Ghori was defeated by Khwarzim Empire
• The Kokhars, a tribe in western Punjab, revolted and disrupted communications between Lahore and Ghazni
• In 1206, Muhammad Ghori conducted a final campaign in India to deal with the Khokhars and was assassinated by them while returning

Reasons for the Defeat of Rajput Rulers

• The defeat of the leading states in North India by the Turkish armies in just 15 years was uncommon
• Rajput rulers were economically and militarily backward compared to the Turks
• Turks didn't possess superior weapons compared to the Indians
• The spread of iron stirrups had already taken place in India in the 8th century
• Turkish bows could shoot arrows long distances
• Indian bows were more accurate and deadly with poison-tipped arrows.
• Indian swords were considered the best in the world in hand-to-hand combat
• Indians had the advantage of using elephants
• It is possible however that Turkish horses were swifter and sturdier
• Increasing feudalism led to the rise of local landed elements and chiefs
• They weakened the administrative structure and military organization
• Rajput rulers lacked the centralized power needed to raise and move armies
• Rajputs did not possess large bodies of heavily armed cavalry and mounted archers
• Turkish tribal structure, unity, and the Khalsa systems enabled them to raise large standing armies
• The Ita system involved allocating land to a Turkish chief, who collected land revenue and maintained troops for the ruler
• These Ita grants were not hereditary
• The Khalsa lands were those whose revenue went directly to the Sultan
• These systems allowed the Turkish armies to be highly centralized
• Many Turkish officers were slaves trained for warfare and devoted to the Sultan

Conclusion

• The Rajput defeat and Turkish conquest of India should be seen in the context of a few centuries
• From the end of the 10th century, the Turks began to observe India and its military organization
• The Rajputs put up stiff resistance against the Turks and defeated Turkish armies on several occasions
• Rajputs lacked strategic vision.
• The Rajputs did not attempt to recover Kabul and Lahore (India's outer boundaries) after they were captured by the Turks
• The Rajputs were focused on India and paid little attention to developments in Central Asia
• Political changes in Central Asia have always played a key role in Indian history
• This led to the rule of the Turks in North India for the next 200 years

The Slave Dynasty (1206-1290 AD)

• The period from 1000-1200 AD was marked by conflict for domination in North India
• The period started disintegration of the Pratihara Empire
• This disintegration results in rise of Rajput States including Turkish invasions
• This era of conflict ended after the death of Muhammad Ghori in 1206

Background of the Slave Dynasty

• Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the first ruler of the Slave Dynasty, was a Turk Mamluk general of Muhammad Ghori before 1206
• Mamluk refers to a soldier who was a slave
• Muhammad Ghori appointed Aibak to handle Indian affairs
• Aibak served as an administrator of the Ghurid dynasty
• Ghurid Dynasty started as vassals of Mahmud Ghazni
• The Ghurid Dynasty was based in Ghor, northwest Afghanistan
• Muhammad Ghori's invasions aim was to set up rule in India
• The Ghurid dynasty extended from Khurasan in West Asia to Bengal in northern India during its peak
• Muhammad Ghori lacked a successor causing his empire to divide into minor sultanates
• Each sultanate was led by a Mamluk general
• Aibak initiated the Mamluk Dynasty in India in 1206

Qutb-ud-din Aibak, 1206-1210 AD

• Qutb-ud-din Aibak established the Slave Dynasty in Delhi after Gauri's death
• Aibak conquered the upper Doab and defeated Bhima II of Gujarat in 1197
• Aibak was able to capture Kalinjar, Mahoba, and Khajuraho in 1202
• As Gauri's death happened in 1206, one of his slaves, Taj al-Din Yildiz, succeeded throne of Ghazni
• Aibak did not accept this while in Lahore
• As a result, the Delhi Sultanate ended its links with Ghazni
• This decision prevented India from involving with central Asian politics where Delhi Sultanate was then self sustaining
• Aibak only ruled till 1210 where injury led to his sudden death
• Aram Shah, a weak, unsubtle ruler replaced Aibak
• Īltutmish took Aram Shah's place, becoming Sultan

Īltutmish, 1210-1236

• Īltutmish, Aibak's son-in-law showed that heredity succession wasn't always the case
• Initially held key positions in governance of the slave dynasty
• Īltutmish shifted Sultanate capital from Lahore to Delhi in 1211
• Army captured Bihar and invaded Bengal
• Īltutmish ignored Indus Valley due to Mongol attention and Khawarizmi Empire of Kubacha
• Īltutmish evaded Mongol invaders and stood up to Rajput expansion to protect Kingdom
• Īltutmish was the Sultan that evaded Ghengis Khan
• Īltutmish had construction of Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque and Qutb Minar done
• Construction of Qutb Minar, aka Tower of Victory, started when Aibak ordered construction
• Qutb Minar named after Sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki
• Īltutmish introduced silver tankas and copper jitals
• Īltutmish started the Iqta System
• The Turkic Chief was the piece of land know as the Iqtadar
• The role of the Turkic Chief is to collect land's revenues
• Iqtadar had to maintain an army that helped the ruler
• A position was the Turkic Chief was only under pleasure and not always hereditary
• Iltutmish was known to have actually consolidated North India's Sultanate
• Iltutmish's death happened in 1236 where he was replaced by Rukn-ud-din Firuz Shah, then Razia Sultana

Razia Sultana, 1236-1239

• Iltutmish nominated Razia prior to death
• Razia's nomination was a great and novel step towards her success
• Razia was the first Muslim female ruler of Delhi
• The reign of Razia was a short 3 years long
• Features: Power struggle between monarchy and Turkic Chiefs
• The Monkry had limited power as the Turkic Chiefs had significant influence who were know as Chahalgani
• The Chahalgini were 40 of the most important nobles of the sultanate who wanted a puppet leader
• The Monks, with growing insolence, created friction
• Razia discarded female apparels
• Razia started holding court with no veil showing a very different style of leadership
• She led the army in war which made her a leader, not just a queen
• Ran expeditions against Rajput of Ranthambore
• Established law and order across Kingdom from the threat of the Chahalgani
• Rebel Yaqut as imprisoned, but released to rebel by capturing the castle
• This battle was bravely lost where she was then superseded by brother Muizuddin Bahram Shah

Era of the Balban, 1265 - 1287

• Power wrestling between Turkic chiefs, the Monks, ongoing
• Nasiruddin Mahmud, youngest son of Iltutmish took over at 1246
• Balban became deputy with effectiveness
• Balban married one of wives showing his position was powerful
• Increasing authority led to many Turkish chiefs that he alienated
• Consipracy led to Balban's exelling and Indian Muslim being appointed
• Balban stepped down, but won over many opponents as part of militant showdown
• Sultan Nasir became fearful, leading to reinstatement of Bqlban as deputy
• 1265 saw death of Nasisr and Balban succeeded throne
• Not due to royal name,but being a strong ruler
• Known for strong, centralised government as he always increased prestige and power of MonK
• Goal was deal with internal and external dangers towards government
• He displayed being legendary warrior to strenghten throne
• Nobles were champions and no important government post was allowed for others
• Champions in that he did not prepare to share power, even with family
• Strict ruler with strict obedience
• Minor offences with severe punishment
• Spies system to keep an eye on what everyone was doing
• Introduce Nowruz, which was a Persian festival
• Showed large scale conversion to Iskalm all over the Kingdom

Administration under Balban

• Centralized government
• Increased power of monarchy
• Claimed descent from legendary Iranian king Afraasiyab
• Champion of Turkish nobility
• Believed no one other than Turkish nobles should hold government positions
• Was strict and demanded strict obedience in court
• Severe punishments were given even for small offenses
• Established a system of spies to keep nobles in check
• Introduced Nauroz, a Persian festival
• Large scale conversions of people to Islam
• Power to Turks through the Chahalgani, who has the power as it increased prestigue
• Justice included administration and transparency
• No large scale landowners could transgreess and not be held accoutnable
• A well centralisreed army enabled easily handling of Mongol expansion and disburbances
• With military department, Diwan-i-Arz, reorganised
• No strong law and order situation in area around Kingdom
• Mewat region destroyed with slaughtering and enslavement of women and children
• Demonstrated power of government with ceremonies like Sijdah (prostration), Paibos (kissing monarch's feet), to insist strength

Conclusion

• Power to monks was very effective
• Set to build delji, it was very effective
• Deaht happened in 1286
• Delhi's sultanat led to more sucession conflict
• Dynasty did see some people who were not as prominent to rule
• With internal conflict and government for only a small amount
• There began to be disastisfaction
• Khajli took this benefit to take over Balban and establish Khilji, which we will look at next

Khiljis and Tughlaqs

• Two important Dynasties of the Sultanate Rule during the Indian Medieval Period: Khiljis and Tughlaqs
• The Mamluk started as a slave dynasty
• The end results were with Gurdish. in 1290
• All the Sultanate went to Turks, but the Dynasty gave to Afghan hands
• Showing the independent Dynasty
• In 1286, Balban's success made Delhi confusing
• As his son (Princes son), his son took to Mongol battle
• Another son preferred Bengel which alloeed his grandson
• Turkish nobility were very high in offoces
• Some Indians Muslim included
• This all proved that any succsful general was allowed to try out success

The Khiljis (1290-1320)

• From 1290 to 1320, the Kjaljis ruled
• Jalaluddin Khilji led the Khliji Nobles group
• Took over being incompeteent
• Before became Govornmer, Jalaluddin was the Warden of Northwest
• He made many successful campaigns against Mongols
• Took in No Turki, that saw his succession
• Afghan was independent enough to see success
• He try to take harsh methods

Alauddin Khilji, 1296-1316

• Known to uncle and father, but was murder for the throne
• Govornmer of Avadh before
• Invasion of Davargarh
• Managed to make all soldiers to side with him
• Faces many rebellions from family and nobles
• To ensure was not conspirary was very harsh
• Killed nobles, property taken in
• New convert Muslim was messecared as wanted more for goods
• Made it normal to keep for success
• Made rule so nobles did not conspire
• Must ask for permission to go to festifitiwes.
• Used system of spies
• Use harsh messure to put nobles in line
• North invasions by General
• Captured Gujarat
• Was at war with South ruling
• Built in Ramewaram
• Mangiol invasion sistmed

Alauddin's Domestic Policies

• Allowed to consolidate the central position where they can do reforms and experiments
• Enacted the Divine Right Thorey of Kingshop, whci is will the King to serve the king
• Introduce Permanent standing army where markets and policies can follow
• From Sugar and cooking oil, from costsly clothing, cosit to fix
• Saw a price to keep in touch with prices and controel Merchants
• For low food groans
• Black markets were prohibited
• Tax collection were only done for cash
• Cash only payment to keep effeinty
• Set new assesemnts

Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1412)

• Ghiyasuddin Tughluq started the Tughluq Dynasty in 1320
• This dynasty ruled Delhi until 1412
• The Tughluqs had Turk-Indian origins
• Their rule saw major changes in India's domestic and foreign policies
• Three important rulers: Ghiyasuddin Tughluq, his son Muhammad bin Tughluq, and his nephew Firuz Shah Tughluq
• After Ghiyasuddin's rise, policies were actively moved towards that of Mongolian policies.
• Many of Mongol nobles were punished
• he made 1st construction with Fort
• During reign stabble administration from a domniatn power
• After the death he wanted to follow up with what the people wanted

Muhammad bin Tughluq, 1325-1351

• Most known Ruler is Muhammad bin Tughluq, who after Alauddin, tried bold experiments
• Remarkble ruler, with great skills of religion and more
• Had long converssations
• Prepared to appoint high office, wheter nobility or not
• Controverisnal step was the shift capital
• Wanted to create 2nd capitals for governement
• After time abandoned Daulatarbad
• Culture and religion were able to speread
• Introducted Token currency This idea was tough as it was new and trade difficult
• Later, the tax was abolished
• To help farming an agriculture depratment was set
• Set a Diwan-i-Amir, who would oversee development with loans
• Many different sections to nobility
• Without noble background were used as Tulugh
• No coehsion where the empires independence allwoed for relieff

Firuz Tughluq Successor

• With succession to being in open for rebellion
• Feroze suceeded by pleasing nobles and religous figure
• Did not force authotity to South Indai
• Allowed to create better governement
• BENGAL WAS ALLOWED independence
• Allowed He rediatries and made offical that wau but

Disintegration of the Delhi Sultanate

• Firoz gave orders for officials to get young boys as slaves for the Sultan
• This gradually led to separate interet group
• Firos death led to problem again with son who made claim
• Situation of the suultan allowed for lcoal leaders to become indpeendnt
• The slave helped secure the theon
• Toghli rule meant there was less influence this meanat decline

Conclusion

• Syeids and Lodis and what has learned
• After Taimur what it to find a ruler
• Rule set struggle with
• Inavision meant what had happen
• This lemd to 1526, after
• Khaj and Tulugh Dynasty

Syed Dynasty (1414–1451)

• After Taimur invasion they saw lack of government from the death
• Made way for khzir to be foudner
• After 12 last Tughluq died, Daulat Khan became ruler.
• Khizr Khan beat then started Dynasty
• A reputable Muslim famile who father was a government officile
• A man with a high moral center from saint and more.
• During Tuqigh rulme , he rose th governmr
• Helped Taimur, whcih was able to give rewards
• With authority a leader can show his power
• 1414 saw a rise to become rule and take over to become master over time.
• Khizr officially showed to be Viroy under Tiumurs and not make coinage

Lodhi Dynasty (1451–1526)

• Khizr was seen as very good due to well being to the people
• Successor was Murbak, his son from 1422-1437
• Sultan title was given that was not from the prev
• With competetives with the Milrtray, to revolt he
• Made effort from 1432 to save and lead to change
• Rapid decline caused by the next in dynasty with conspriacy
• A last and incompeteent ruler who had great problem and reitrement

Bahld Lodki

• Founder Of the Lodi dynsay
• Ruling 1451-1489
• Founder of the fist house in D
• Family claimed trubal to Loddis
• Wrok form under granfather
• Bahal worked there

Battle points

• Greates rule
• Best politician knwoing how tribual work
• Tried to share with others throuhg afgahan
• Afgahan different set of
• Sat with the group with all on capet
• This show throuhg election

Legacy

• Tughlis
• Struggle to see region state
• All most like reevlvent to decrease
• Tranistion see as

The Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1646)

• Emerged in the 14th Century as a bulwark against the Delhi Sultanate
• Founded in 1336 by Harihara and Bukka on the banks of the Tungabhadra River
• Ruled by four dynasties: Sangama, Saluva, Tuluva, and Aravidu
• Extended from the Krishna-Tungabhadra basin to the southern peninsula at its height
• Notable as a major Hindu kingdom in an era dominated by Muslim dynasties
• Capital city was Hampi, located in eastern Karnataka (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Praised by travelers for its architectural grandeur

Political History & Key Rulers

• Harihara I became the first ruler, annexing the Hoysala territory
• Bukka Raya (1356) continued expansion
• Rivalry with the Bahmani Sultanate to the north was a persistent challenge
• Contention centered on the fertile Tungabhadra Doab, Krishna-Godavari Delta, and Konkan region (for horse trade)
• Deva Raya II (1425) considered most powerful of the Sangama Dynasty
• Achieved victories due to warangal
• Vijanagar under Devaraya II did have muslim as key person

Krishnadevaraya (Tuluva Dynasty, 1509)

• Rule marked the zenith of Vijayanagara prosperity
• Dominga who made comparison to Rome
• Won major victories against the Gajapatis of Odisha and the Bijapur Sultanate
• Portuguese obtained military aid which led to trade, known for weakness

Architectural

• Mandapa are long halls
• Gopurum where royal getawas
• Virupaksha is the most important

Economic Strength

• Diamond and exporting was large
• Naj is famous for world's riches
• Unique innovations.
• Like Dehli, had a large area

End of the Empire

• Fight and then success at the start due to long term conflict
• Led to much disaster

Bahmani Kingdom (1347-1527)

• Emerged as a significant power in the Deccan alongside the Vijayanagara Empire
• Founded in 1347 by Ala-ud-Din Hasan Bahman Shah, also known as Hasan Gangu
• Hasan Gangu established the Bahmani Kingdom
• Faced rivalries with Vijayanagara over the Tungabhadra Doab, Krishna-Godavari Delta, and Marathwada
• Each dynasty was fighting with that
• Conflicts happened constantly

Firuz Shah Bahmani (1397-1422)

• Noteworthy ruler known for religious tolerance and promotion of culture
• The scholar was seen as very high amongst his ranking
• Encouraged all of the other kingdoms
• Was about to start trade as well.

Influence

• After Ahmed Shah, the empire saw some new developments
• Balance of power showed as well.

Mahmoud Gavan

• From a relgious birth
• Pwesha in 1400
• Stool the best positions
• This loss gave blow to Vij

Impact and down

• Power got put with the nobles
• Many died due to the attack
• Soouht saw lots of cultrual

Vijanarga and Bhmani impact

• In conflict to stay true, the struggle does not mean just fighting
• India's struggle meant just poltical
• Political change never a long term

Baburs Advantures

Babur was able to take over after to fight of the other tribes that were in central Asia

• The rise to success could help for long run
• Faelud were a the heart of the