Medieval and Islamic History

The name 'Koh-i-Noor' (Mountain of Light) was given by Nadir Shah, the Persian ruler who invaded Delhi in 1739 and took possession of the diamond. Earlier it was known by various names including 'Samantik Mani' among Mughals. The name reflects its brilliance and value. Neither Jahangir, Ahmad Shah Abdali, nor Shah Jahan gave it this name.

Sikandar Lodi (Sikinder Lodi), the Sultan of Delhi from 1489 to 1517, founded the city of Agra in 1504 and made it his capital. The Mughal emperors Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan later developed Agra further, building the Taj Mahal and other monuments.

Din-i-Ilahi literally translates to 'Divine Faith' or 'Divine Religion' in Persian, reflecting Akbar's syncretic spiritual vision. Akbar founded this religious movement in 1582 to blend elements from Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and other faiths. The term combines 'Din' (religion/faith) and 'Ilahi' (divine).

Akbar was the first Indian ruler to arrange state-sponsored Haj pilgrimages for Muslims, demonstrating his inclusive administrative approach. He set up a system where the state would fund pilgrims traveling to Mecca. This policy reflected his broader attitude of religious tolerance and welfare measures for all communities.

Babar wrote the Baburnama, his memoir in Turki, which is considered one of the finest autobiographical works in Islamic literature. Jahangir wrote the Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri, his autobiography documenting his reign and personal experiences. Both emperors were known for their literary contributions and personal writings.

Madarasa-I Nasiri was built by Iltutmish, the third Delhi Sultanate ruler, in the region of Delhi. It was an important educational institution established during his reign to promote Islamic education and learning. Iltutmish was known for consolidating the Delhi Sultanate and supporting educational institutions.

Agra Fort was commissioned and built by Emperor Akbar between 1565 and 1573 as the principal residence of the Mughal emperors. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site and served as the main military fort until 1638 when the capital shifted to Delhi. Humayun, Jehangir, and Shah Jahan all lived in or added to the fort, but Akbar was its original builder.

Muhammad bin Tughluq notoriously shifted his capital from Delhi to Devagiri (renamed Daulatabad) in 1327, then back to Delhi in 1334, earning him the nickname 'Mad Monarch' for this disastrous decision. The move caused immense suffering and loss of life due to the forced migration and inadequate water supply at the new location.

Ikhtiyar-Ud-Din Muhammad Khiljee invaded Bengal in 1206-1207 during the reign of Lakshmana Sena, the last ruler of the Sena dynasty. This invasion marked the beginning of Muslim rule in Bengal and led to the decline of Buddhist monasteries like Nalanda and Vikramashila. Dharmapala and Sasanka were earlier rulers, while Bhaskar Varman ruled in a different region.

Alexander the Great assumed the title 'Lord of Asia' after his victory over the Persian Empire at the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BCE. This title signified his conquest of the Persian Empire. Ashoka and Akbar were Indian rulers, and Qutub-ud-din Aibak was a Delhi Sultanate ruler.

Akbar's full name was Abu'l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, also known as Akbar the Great. This name appears in contemporary Mughal records and coins. The other options are his royal titles but not his actual birth name.

Qasim Haddad, Ibrahim al'Urayyid, and Ahmad Muhammed Al Khalifah are all renowned Bahraini poets who have contributed significantly to Arabic literature. Bahrain has a rich poetic tradition, and these figures are recognized for their literary works rather than being folk dancers, singers, or artisans.

Faizi (Shaikh Abu al-Faiz ibn Mubarak) was one of the Navratnas (nine jewels) in Emperor Akbar's court and a close friend. He served as Akbar's poet laureate and wrote books like Akbarnama. Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb came later, while Bahadur Shah Zafar was the last Mughal emperor.

The Jahangir Mahal (Jahangir's Palace) in Agra Fort was built by Shah Jahan as a palace for his father Jahangir, featuring typical Mughal architecture with balconies and intricate stone carvings. Akbar built Agra Fort itself but not this specific palace.

Nadir Shah, the Persian ruler, invaded India in 1739 during Muhammad Shah 'Rangeela's' reign, defeating the Mughals at the Battle of Karnal and plundering Delhi. Babur founded the Mughal dynasty, Ahmad Shah Abdali invaded later in the 1700s, and Genghiz Khan lived in the 13th century.