Medieval India: Delhi Sultanate & Mughal Empire

The Delhi Sultanate was three centuries of Turkic and Afghan rule over north India, spread across five dynasties — and remembering them in order is half the battle. This lesson lays out each dynasty with its standout rulers and reforms.

Definition: The Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526) was a succession of five Muslim dynasties ruling from Delhi, beginning with Qutb-ud-din Aibak and ending with Babur's conquest.

Mnemonic for the order: SKTSL = Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi.

The five dynasties

(1) Slave / Mamluk Dynasty (1206–1290): Founded by Qutb-ud-din Aibak. Iltutmish consolidated the empire and introduced the Iqta (land-grant) system; Razia Sultana was the first female ruler of Delhi; Balban enforced his "blood and iron" policy.

(2) Khilji Dynasty (1290–1320): Alauddin Khilji introduced famous market and price-control reforms, repelled Mongol invasions, and sent Malik Kafur on campaigns into south India.

(3) Tughlaq Dynasty (1320–1414): Muhammad bin Tughlaq shifted the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and issued token currency (both failed experiments); Firoz Shah Tughlaq focused on welfare works and canal irrigation.

(4) Sayyid Dynasty (1414–1451): A line of weak rulers.

(5) Lodi Dynasty (1451–1526): Ibrahim Lodi was defeated by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat (1526), ending the Sultanate.

Why it matters: Dynasty order, signature reforms, and the Panipat endpoint are staple SSC questions; the SKTSL mnemonic makes sequencing automatic.

Real-world example: The Qutub Minar in Delhi, begun by Qutb-ud-din Aibak, still stands as a tourist landmark — a direct physical relic of the Sultanate's very first dynasty.

Common misconception: Many think Muhammad bin Tughlaq's capital shift and token currency were successes. Both were costly failures that caused hardship and were eventually reversed.

Founded by Babur after defeating Ibrahim Lodi in First Battle of Panipat (1526). Key rulers — Babur (wrote Baburnama in Turki), Humayun (lost/regained throne; Sur interregnum 1540–1555 under Sher Shah Suri who built Grand Trunk Road), Akbar (greatest — Din-i-Ilahi faith, Ibadat Khana, Navratnas, abolished jizya, land revenue reform/Todar Mal), Jahangir (Nur Jahan wielded real power; Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri), Shah Jahan (Taj Mahal, Peacock Throne), Aurangzeb (reimposed jizya, Alamgir, empire's greatest extent but decline after his death 1707). Last Mughal: Bahadur Shah Zafar — exiled to Rangoon after 1857 Revolt. Memory trick: 'BHAJSA' = Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb.

Indian history turned on a handful of decisive battles — and SSC CGL tests them relentlessly, either giving the year and asking the opponents or vice versa. This lesson fixes the five battles that reshaped the subcontinent.

Definition: A decisive battle here means a military clash whose outcome changed who ruled India — the founding, restoration, or breaking of a major power.

The five battles to memorise

(1) First Battle of Panipat (1526): Babur vs Ibrahim Lodi — the Mughal Empire begins.
(2) Battle of Khanwa (1527): Babur vs Rana Sanga — consolidated Mughal power in north India.
(3) Second Battle of Panipat (1556): Akbar / Bairam Khan vs Hemu — restored Mughal rule after Humayun's death.
(4) Third Battle of Panipat (1761): Ahmad Shah Abdali vs the Marathas — broke Maratha power.
(5) Battle of Plassey (1757): Robert Clive vs Siraj-ud-Daula — established British power in Bengal.

How the exam frames it

The question pattern is predictable: it supplies the year and asks the opponents, or the opponents and asks the year. So you must store both facts together for each battle. Note the three Panipat battles (1526, 1556, 1761) — examiners exploit the shared location to confuse candidates, so anchor each to its year and combatants.

Why it matters: These are pure-recall, high-yield questions; a few minutes of memorisation here can secure two or three guaranteed marks.

Real-world example: Panipat town in Haryana hosted all three battles because it sat on the invasion route to Delhi — much as a strategic toll-plaza today controls who reaches the capital by road.

Common misconception: Students often muddle the three Panipat battles. Remember: First (1526) founds the Mughals, Second (1556) restores them, Third (1761) breaks the Marathas — founding, restoring, breaking.

Quick-revision notes for Medieval India: Delhi Sultanate & Mughal Empire — the must-know points for SSC CGL Tier-I/II.

• Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526) had five dynasties: Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi.
• Qutub-ud-din Aibak founded the Slave dynasty and began the Qutub Minar; Iltutmish completed it.
• Alauddin Khilji introduced market/price control reforms; Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq moved the capital to Daulatabad.
• Mughal Empire founded by Babur after the First Battle of Panipat (1526) defeating Ibrahim Lodi.
• Akbar (1556–1605) promoted Din-i-Ilahi and abolished jizya; Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal.
• Aurangzeb was the last powerful Mughal; the empire declined after him.

Cover the answer, recall, then check. 7 cards on the must-know Medieval India: Delhi Sultanate & Mughal Empire facts for SSC CGL.

Q1. Who founded the Delhi Sultanate (Slave dynasty)?
A1. Qutub-ud-din Aibak.

Q2. Name the five dynasties of the Delhi Sultanate in order.
A2. Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, and Lodi.

Q3. Which battle in 1526 founded the Mughal Empire?
A3. The First Battle of Panipat (Babur defeated Ibrahim Lodi).

Q4. Who built the Taj Mahal?
A4. Shah Jahan (in memory of Mumtaz Mahal).

Q5. Which Mughal emperor started Din-i-Ilahi?
A5. Akbar.

Q6. Who introduced market/price control reforms in the Sultanate?
A6. Alauddin Khilji.

Q7. Which ruler moved the capital to Daulatabad?
A7. Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq.