Medieval and Islamic History

Wajid Ali Shah was the last Nawab of Awadh, deposed by the British in 1856 under the doctrine of lapse/misgovernance.

Kharaj was the land tax imposed on non-Muslims (and later Muslims) in the Delhi Sultanate, serving as a primary source of state revenue.

Persian was the official court language of the Mughal Empire, including during the reign of Akbar.

William Hawkins visited the court of Jahangir and was granted the title of 'English Khan' by the emperor.

The Sayyid Brothers, known as the 'kingmakers' of the later Mughal period, rose to significant power during the reign of Farrukhsiyar, whom they helped place on the throne.

Amir Khusrau was a prolific poet and historian who served under several Delhi Sultans. He accompanied Alauddin Khalji on his military campaigns, including the siege of Chittor, and documented these events in his works.

Qutub-ud-din Aibak, a former general of Muhammad Ghori, established the Slave Dynasty and became the first independent Muslim ruler of Delhi in 1206.

Qutlugh Khwaja, a Mongol leader, invaded India during the reign of Ala-ud-din Khalji, specifically around 1299 AD.

The Slave Dynasty, which included Balban, was succeeded by the Khalji dynasty in 1290 when Jalal-ud-din Khalji overthrew the last of the Slave rulers. This marked the beginning of the Khalji revolution in the Delhi Sultanate.

Ala-ud-din Khalji was the first Sultan of Delhi to lead an expedition across the Vindhya ranges into the Deccan region. His general, Malik Kafur, led these campaigns against the Yadavas, Kakatiyas, and Hoysalas.

Amir Khusrau was a prolific poet and scholar who served under the Delhi Sultanate. He is renowned for his contributions to Persian literature and is often called the father of qawwali.

Haji Ibrahim Sarhindi was a scholar in Akbar's court who was commissioned to translate the Atharva Veda into Persian.

After the sudden death of Qutb-ud-din Aibak in 1210, his son Aram Shah succeeded him for a brief period before being replaced by Iltutmish.

Din-e-Elahi was a syncretic religion or spiritual movement propounded by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1582. It blended elements from various religions to foster unity in his empire.

Firoz Shah Tughlaq is known for abolishing many oppressive taxes, retaining only those sanctioned by Islamic law.