Medieval and Islamic History

4. Babar

Mughal painting achieved its golden age and fullest development during Jahangir's reign (1605-1627). Jahangir was a great patron of arts who maintained a large atelier with painters like Mansur, Bishandas, and Abu'l Hasan. The period saw remarkable developments in portraiture, naturalistic representation of flora and fauna, and the fusion of Persian and Indian styles. While Akbar established the atelier, Jahangir's reign marked its peak.

Al-Biruni accompanied Mahmood of Ghazni during his Indian campaigns in the 11th century and wrote the famous 'Tarikh al-Hind' (History of India). Ibn Batuta came later (14th century), Al-Firdausi was a poet at Mahmood's court but didn't travel to India, and Al-Razi was an earlier scholar. The key is recognizing Al-Biruni as the scholar who documented Indian society and sciences.

Arab traders and travelers brought Islam to India's western coast (particularly Kerala) through peaceful maritime trade in the 7th century CE, well before Islamic conquests. Arab merchants came primarily for trade, while 'Arab travelers' better captures those who spread Islam through cultural contact. Turkish warriors conquered North India much later (12th century).

Iltumish (Shams ud-din Iltutmish), the third Sultan of Delhi (1211-1236), introduced the Iqtadari system - a land revenue system where land was assigned to officials (iqtadars) in lieu of salary. Akbar later refined it as the Mansabdari system, and Ala-ud-din Khilji had his own revenue reforms. Muhammad bin Tughlaq's experiments were different.

Buland Darwaza (Gate of Victory) was constructed by Emperor Akbar in 1601 to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. Standing 54 meters high, it's the highest gateway in the world and part of the Fatehpur Sikri palace complex near Agra.

Akbar the Great is well-known for his policy of religious tolerance (Sulh-i-kul) and for abolishing the Jizya tax on non-Muslims. He even attempted to create a syncretic religion called Din-i-Ilahi to unite his diverse subjects under a common moral code.

Tughluq Nama was written by the famous poet Amir Khusro. It is a historic poem that describes the rise of Ghiyas-ud-din Tughluq and the Tughluq dynasty.

Goswami Tulsidas, the author of the Ramcharitmanas, lived during the 16th and early 17th centuries. His life coincided with the reigns of the Mughal emperors Akbar and Jahangir.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah is known as the 'Father of the Nation' in Pakistan. He was the leader of the All-India Muslim League and the primary architect of the movement that led to the creation of Pakistan in 1947.

The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan was overthrown and imprisoned by his son, Aurangzeb, in 1658. He spent the last eight years of his life in captivity at the Agra Fort.

 he was the first king of slave dynasty and built Qutab minar