Medieval India Delhi Sultanate Mughals Questions for CTET PAPER II

Delhi Sultanate: Overview and Dynasties

The Delhi Sultanate lasted from 1206 to 1526 CE. It was established after Muhammad of Ghor defeated Prithviraj Chauhan at the Second Battle of Tarain in 1192. Five successive dynasties ruled from Delhi during this period. The Sultanate ended when Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.

• Slave Dynasty (1206-1290): Qutb-ud-din Aibak, Iltutmish, Razia Sultana, Balban. First Muslim rulers of Delhi.
• Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320): Alauddin Khalji — known for market reforms, price control, and repelling Mongol invasions.
• Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414): Muhammad bin Tughlaq — ambitious but controversial reforms like shifting capital to Daulatabad and token currency.
• Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451) and Lodi Dynasty (1451-1526): relatively weaker rulers; Ibrahim Lodi was the last Sultan.
• Razia Sultana is notable as the first and only woman ruler of the Delhi Sultanate — a common PYQ hook.
• Iltutmish is credited with consolidating the Sultanate and completing the Qutb Minar.

Delhi Sultanate: Administration and Economy

The Delhi Sultanate introduced a Persian-influenced administrative system. The Sultan was the supreme authority. The empire was divided into provinces called Iqtas, managed by Iqtadars (also called Muqtis). Revenue administration was central to the Sultanate's power. Alauddin Khalji's market reforms are frequently tested.

• Iqta system: land grants given to nobles and officers in lieu of salary — they collected revenue and paid troops.
• Alauddin Khalji set up four markets in Delhi: grain, cloth, cattle, and general goods — each supervised by a Shahna (controller).
• Diwan-i-Wizarat: Finance ministry. Diwan-i-Arz: Military department. Diwan-i-Insha: Royal correspondence.
• Kharaj was the land tax, usually one-third to half of produce.
• Muhammad bin Tughlaq introduced token currency (copper coins replacing silver) — it failed due to widespread counterfeiting.
• Feroz Shah Tughlaq abolished torture, introduced pension system, and built canals — known as a welfare ruler.

Delhi Sultanate: Architecture

The Sultanate period introduced Indo-Islamic architecture combining Indian and Persian styles. The use of arches, domes, minarets, and calligraphy became common. This blend is called the Indo-Saracenic style.

• Qutb Minar (Delhi): begun by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, completed by Iltutmish — tallest brick minaret in the world.
• Alai Darwaza: built by Alauddin Khalji — first true arch and dome structure in India.
• Tughlaqabad Fort: built by Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq.
• Feroz Shah Kotla: built by Feroz Shah Tughlaq.
• Common exam trick: Do not confuse who STARTED Qutb Minar (Aibak) vs who COMPLETED it (Iltutmish).

Mughal Empire: Key Rulers and Contributions

The Mughal Empire (1526-1857) was founded by Babur. It reached its peak under Akbar and Aurangzeb in terms of territory. The Mughals are known for a sophisticated administrative system, promotion of arts, syncretic culture (especially under Akbar), and grand architecture. CTET tests both factual details and the significance of policies like Akbar's Sulh-i-Kul.

• Babur (1526-1530): First Battle of Panipat 1526 against Ibrahim Lodi. Introduced gunpowder and artillery. Wrote Baburnama.
• Humayun (1530-1556): Lost empire to Sher Shah Suri, regained it. Died falling from library steps.
• Akbar (1556-1605): Greatest Mughal. Policy of Sulh-i-Kul (universal peace/tolerance). Abolished Jizya. Introduced Din-i-Ilahi. Established Mansabdari system.
• Jahangir (1605-1627): Known for justice and painting. Married Nur Jahan who wielded real power.
• Shah Jahan (1628-1658): Golden age of Mughal architecture. Built Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Jama Masjid.
• Aurangzeb (1658-1707): Reintroduced Jizya. Expanded empire to largest extent. His policies are debated as reasons for Mughal decline.

Mughal Administration: Mansabdari System

The Mansabdari system was introduced by Akbar to organise the military and civil bureaucracy. Every officer (Mansabdar) held a rank (Mansab) indicating their status and the number of cavalry they had to maintain. This system tied loyalty directly to the emperor and is a very high-frequency CTET topic.

• Mansab had two components: Zat (personal rank and salary) and Sawar (number of cavalry to be maintained).
• Mansabdars were paid either in cash (naqdi) or through jagirs (land grants).
• Jagirdars collected revenue from their jagir to pay their troops — but they did not own the land.
• Akbar also introduced the Zabt system for land revenue — standardised measurement and fixed rates based on average yield.
• The Dahsala system (ten-year average) was used to fix land revenue — associated with Raja Todar Mal, Akbar's revenue minister.

Mughal Architecture and Culture

Mughal architecture is a peak expression of Indo-Islamic style, blending Persian, Central Asian, and Indian elements. It is characterised by symmetry, red sandstone, white marble, gardens (charbagh), inlay work (pietra dura), and large domes. CTET questions often ask students to identify monuments and their builders.

• Taj Mahal (Agra): Built by Shah Jahan in memory of Mumtaz Mahal — white marble, pietra dura inlay, charbagh garden.
• Red Fort (Delhi) and Agra Fort: Shah Jahan. Agra Fort was expanded by Akbar.
• Fatehpur Sikri: Akbar's capital — Buland Darwaza (built to commemorate Gujarat victory), Panch Mahal, Ibadat Khana.
• Humayun's Tomb (Delhi): Built by Haji Begum — first major Mughal garden tomb, precursor to Taj Mahal.
• Akbar promoted Urdu, Persian literature, and the Navratnas (nine gems) at his court including Birbal, Tansen, Todar Mal, Abul Fazl.
• Ain-i-Akbari and Akbarnama were written by Abul Fazl — primary sources for Akbar's reign.

Bhakti and Sufi Movements

The Bhakti and Sufi movements flourished during the medieval period and promoted social equality, personal devotion, and religious harmony. CTET frequently connects these movements to the theme of social reform and inclusive education values.

• Bhakti saints: Kabir (both Hindu-Muslim traditions), Mirabai (devotion to Krishna), Tukaram (Maharashtra), Ramananda, Chaitanya.
• Sufi orders (Silsilas): Chishti order was most popular in India — Nizamuddin Auliya, Amir Khusrau.
• Both movements opposed caste discrimination and rituals, promoted love and equality.
• Kabir's dohas (couplets) are a common classroom teaching resource — CTET may ask pedagogical questions about using these in teaching.
• Amir Khusrau is credited with developing Hindustani music and the sitar.

• Confusing who started Qutb Minar (Qutb-ud-din Aibak) with who completed it (Iltutmish) — this distinction is a direct PYQ trap.
• Mixing up Akbar abolishing Jizya with Aurangzeb reinstating it — both actions are tested and candidates swap them under pressure.
• Thinking Mansab Zat and Sawar are the same — Zat is personal rank, Sawar is cavalry obligation. CTET asks the difference.
• Assuming Fatehpur Sikri was built by Shah Jahan because of its grandeur — it was Akbar's capital.
• Confusing Baburnama (written by Babur himself) with Akbarnama (written by Abul Fazl about Akbar) — both are PYQ sources.

• Dynasties of Delhi Sultanate: SKIP Later = Slave, Khalji, Ilbari (Tughlaq), Parrots (Sayyid), Lodis. Better mnemonic: Some Kings Took Silver Lockets (Slave, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi).
• Six Great Mughals in order: Baby Hamsters Are Just Shy Animals = Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb.
• Akbar's 3 famous ministers memory hook: TTB = Todar Mal (revenue), Tansen (music), Birbal (wit). All Navratnas.
• Taj Mahal memory hook: Shah Jahan built it for Mumtaz — Shah + Mumtaz = SHAJ-MUMTAZ. White marble = love in stone. Pietra dura = precious stone inlay.

• CTET Paper II Social Science typically has 2-4 questions directly on medieval India per attempt. Mughal administration (Mansabdari, Zabt system) and architecture (who built what) are the most repeated themes.
• Expect at least one pedagogical question such as: How would you teach the concept of Sulh-i-Kul to Class 7 students? Link the policy to values of tolerance and peace — very CTET-style framing.
• Questions often quote a primary source (like a line from Ain-i-Akbari) and ask which ruler or system it refers to. Knowing Abul Fazl wrote about Akbar is essential.
• Architecture questions follow a standard MCQ pattern: A monument is described (material, location, purpose) and you identify the ruler. Revise: Aibak-Qutb Minar, Akbar-Fatehpur Sikri, Shah Jahan-Taj Mahal and Red Fort, Humayun Tomb-Haji Begum.
• Bhakti-Sufi questions often appear in the context of social science pedagogy — how to use Kabir's dohas or Sufi music as inclusive teaching tools. Expect 1 such question linking medieval history to classroom practice.