Medieval and Islamic History

The religious preceptor and manager or administrator of a khankah is called sajjadanashin. He has a larger right in the surplus income than a mutawalli.

A wakf can be classified into two types - public or private. As the name suggests, a public wakf is for the general religious and charitable purposes, while a private wakf is for the creator's own family and descendants and is technically called wakf-ala-aulad.

The Lodi dynasty (1451-1526) was the last Afghan dynasty to rule the Delhi Sultanate. Founded by Bahlul Lodi, it reached its peak under Sikandar Lodi before being defeated by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat in 1526, which ended the Delhi Sultanate and began the Mughal Empire.

Zahir-ud-Din Muhammad Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire. He was a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan, and he invaded India in 1526, defeating Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat. 'Babur' means 'tiger' in Persian, and he established the Mughal dynasty that ruled India for over three centuries.

Nizam-ul-Mulk (also known as Asaf Jah I) founded the Asaf Jahi dynasty in Hyderabad in 1724 after declaring independence from the Mughal Empire. He was originally appointed as the Viceroy of the Deccan by Aurangzeb but established autonomous rule following Mughal decline. His descendants ruled as Nizams of Hyderabad until 1948, making it one of India's wealthiest and most long-lasting princely states.

The Charminar was built in 1591 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the fifth ruler of the Qutb Shahi dynasty (also known as the Golconda Sultanate). He commissioned the monument to commemorate the end of a plague epidemic that had devastated Hyderabad. The four minarets (Char = four, Minar = minarets) represent the four Khalifs (Caliphs) of Islam and stand as a symbol of Hyderabad's architectural heritage.

Bahadur Shah Zafar was the last Mughal emperor, ruling from 1837 to 1857 until the rebellion ended Mughal rule. The option truncates his name but is still correct.

Alauddin Khilji was the first Muslim ruler to invade South India when he sent his general Malik Kafur on a military expedition in 1311 CE. The Delhi Sultans before him focused on northern India. Mahmud Ghazni only raided northern India, while Balban and Firuz Tughlaq came later.

Babar (also spelled Babur) founded the Mughal dynasty in 1526 after defeating Ibrahim Lodi in the First Battle of Panipat. He was a descendant of Timur and Genghis Khan. Jahangir and Akbar were later Mughal emperors, while 'Arungjed' appears to be a misspelling of Aurangzeb.

Akbar, the third Mughal Emperor (1556-1605), inaugurated the policy of 'Indians for Indians' in administration. This policy aimed to include more Indians in the administrative apparatus, promoting greater integration and reducing reliance on foreign officials. It was part of Akbar's broader inclusive governance approach.

Jahangir, the fourth Mughal Emperor (1605-1627), had a deep appreciation for art and was known for his connoisseurship. He could distinguish and recognize individual artists' work even in composite paintings, demonstrating his refined artistic judgment. He wrote detailed evaluations of artists in his memoirs, the Jahangirnama.

Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Shah Jahan and heir apparent, was buried in the compound of Humayun's Tomb in Delhi after his execution in 1659. This was unusual as Mughal royalty typically had dedicated mausoleums. Dara Shikoh's burial in another emperor's tomb complex reflects his defeat by Aurangzeb in the war of succession.

Akbar arranged for education of Hindus in Madrassas as part of his secular and inclusive education policy. This was revolutionary for the time as madrassas were traditionally Islamic religious schools. Akbar's policy reflected his syncretic approach and respect for diverse religious traditions, ensuring that Hindu subjects had access to education through these institutions.

Nadir Shah, the Persian ruler, invaded India in 1739 during the reign of Muhamed Shah (Muhammad Shah, known as Rangeela). This invasion resulted in the devastating Battle of Karnal and the sack of Delhi, including the plunder of the Peacock Throne and Kohinoor diamond. Muhamed Shah's reign (1719-1748) marked the decline of Mughal power.