Current Events of india

With the commencement of the 7 th  century, Harshavardhana (606-647 A.D.) ascended the throne of  Thaneshwar and Kannauj on the death of his brother, Rajyavardhana. By 612 Harshavardhana  consolidated his kingdom in northern India. In 620 A.D. Harshavardhana invaded the Chalukya kingdom in the Deccan, which was then ruled by  Pulakesin II. But the Chalukya resistance proved tough for Harshavardhana and he was defeated.  Harshavardhana is well known for his religious toleration, able administration and diplomatic relations. He maintained diplomatic relations with China and sent envoys, who exchanged  ideas of the Chinese rulers and developed their knowledge about each other. The Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang, who visited India during his reign, has given a vivid description of  the social, economic and religious conditions, under the rule of Harsha spoke highly of the king.  Harsha's death, once again, left India without any central paramount powe...

Sher Shah Suri [Medieval History Of India] SUR DYNASTY or SUR Interregnum (1540-1555) Sher Shah’s Administration Sher Shah was the founder of Sur Dynasty. His original name was Farid. He was the son of Hasan Khan, a jagirdar of Sasaram in Bihar. He was given the title Sher Khan for his bravery under the Afghan Rule of Bihar. Sher Shah Sur (1486-1545) Sher Shah Sur’s conquests include Bundelkhand, Malwa, Multan, Punjab, and Sind. His empire occupied the whole of North India except Assam, Gujarat, Kashmir, and Nepal. Though his rule lasted for only 5 years, he has organized an excellent administrative system. The king was aided by four important ministers. Diwan –i- Wizarat or Wazir – in charge of Revenue and Finance Diwan-i-Ariz – in charge of Army Diwan-i-Rasalat – Foreign Minister Diwan-i-Insha – Minister for Communications Sher Shah’s empire was divided into forty-seven Sarkars Each sarkar was further divided into various Parganas and in charge of various officers. Shiqdar – Military...

 Akbar's Successors [Medieval History Of India ] Akbar's Successors: Jahangir (1605-1627), Shah Jahan (1627-1658), Aurangazeb (1658-1707) Jahangir (1605-1627) In 1605, Prince Salim succeeded with the title Jahangir (Conqueror of World) after the death of Akbar. He defeated and imprisoned his son, Khusrau Mirza.   He also beheaded Guru Arjun, the 5 th  Sikh Guru and one of the supporters of Khusrau Mirza. Nur Jahan In 1611, Jahangir married Mehrunnisa who was known as Nur Jahan (Light of World). Asaf Khan elder brother of Nur Jahan was appointed as Khan-i-Saman, a post reserved for the nobles. In 1612, Asaf Khan’s daughter, Arjumand Banu Begum (later known as Mumtaj), married Jahangir’s third son, Prince Khurram (later Shah Jahan). Shah Jahan (1628-1658) Shah Jahan launched a continued war in the northwest frontier to recover Kandahar and other ancestral lands. His Deccan policy was more successful. He defeated the forces of Ahmadnagar and seized it. Both Bijapur and Golco...

Arab And Turkish Invasions [Medieval History Of India] Arab and Turkish Invasions Arab Invasion in India Muhammad-bin-Qasim Al-Hajjajj, the Governor of Iraq  sent Muhammad-bin-Qasim  to India He Conquered  Sind  with the permission of Caliph Walid Battle of Rewar Fought between Muhammad-bin-Qasim  and Dahir the ruler of Sind Dahir was defeated. Sind and Multan were captured. Muhammad-bin-Qasim  called Multan as ‘The City of Gold’   Administrative System Sind and Multan were divided into a number of Iqtas or districts by Muhammad-bin-Qasim and Arab military officers headed the Iqtas. The sub-divisions of the districts were administered by the local Hindu Officers. Jizya was imposed on non-Muslims.   Muhammad bin Qasim’s Army 25,000 troops with 6000 Camels, 6000 Syrian horses, 3000 Bactrian Camels and an artillery force with 2000 men, advanced guards, and five catapults. End of Muhammad-bin-Qasim Caliph Walid was succeeded by Caliph Sulaiman. He was...

The Rajputs [Medieval Indian History ] The North Indian Kingdoms - The Rajputs The Medieval Indian History period lies between the 8th and the 18th century A.D. Ancient Indian history came to an end with the rule of Harsha and Pulakesin II. The medieval period can be divided into two stages: Early medieval period: 8th – 12th century A.D. Later Medieval period: 12th-18th century. About the Rajputs They are the descendants of Lord Rama (Surya vamsa) or Lord Krishna (Chandra vamsa) or the Hero who sprang from the sacrificial fire (Agni Kula theory). Rajputs belonged to the early medieval period. The Rajput Period (647A.D- 1200 A.D.) From the death of Harsha to the 12th century, the destiny of India was mostly in the hands of various Rajput dynasties. They belong to the ancient Kshatriya families. They are foreigners. There were nearly 36 Rajput’ clans. The major clans were: The Pratiharas of Avanti The Palas of Bengal The Chauhans of Delhi and Ajmer The Rathors of Kanauj The Guhilas or Si...

Jainism - Tirthankaras, Vardhaman Mahavira & Triratna Origin of Jainism Jainism is a very ancient religion. As per some traditions, it is as old as the Vedic religion. The Jain tradition has a succession of great teachers or Tirthankaras. There were 24 Tirthankaras the last of which was Vardhaman Mahavira. The first Tirthankara is believed to be Rishabhanath or Rishabhadev. The 23rd Tirthankara was Parshvanatha who was born in Varanasi. He may have lived in the 8th or 7th century BC. All the Tirthankaras were Kshatriyas by birth. Founder of Jainism – Vardhaman Mahavira (539- 467 B.C.) Considered the last Tirthankara. He was born at Kundagrama near Vaisali. His parents were Kshatriyas. Father – Siddhartha (Head of Jnatrika Clan); Mother – Trishala (Sister of Lichchhavi chief Chetaka). (Chetaka’s daughter married Haryanka King Bimbisara). He was married to Yasoda and had a daughter Anojja or Priyadarsana. At the age of 30, Vardhaman renounced his home and became a wandering ascetic. ...

INDIA UNDER THE MUGHALS Economic and Social Life The socio-economic conditions of India are mentioned by many European Travellers and trader who came to India and their accounts contain a mine of information. Generally, most of the accounts describe the wealth and prosperity of India and also the lavish life of the nobles. There are accounts of foreigners as well that give information about the poverty and sufferings of ordinary people such as peasants and artisans. Mughal Nobility The Mughals were nobles and most of them were foreigners like Turks and Afghans and formed a privileged class. The Mughal nobles were paid high salaries but their expenses were also the same. Each noble had a large number of servants, horses, elephants etc. Wealthy people dressed in silk and cotton clothes and the poor people dressed minimally. One of the foreigners Nikitin mentions that the people in the Deccan were bare-footed indicating the high cost of leather. The common people food was pulses, millets ...