The Revelation of Medieval India

THE REVELATION OF MEDIEVAL INDIA
Q.1 Define chronicle.

A. A chronicle is a historical record of events arranged in a chronological order. It helps in
gaining information on Political, Economical, Social, and Cultural developments of regional
empires/ dynasties of medieval time period. People employed to write Chronicle are called as
Chroniclers. Most of Chronicles are found in Persian, Turkish, Sanskrit and many other
languages. Examples- Tabaqat-i-Nasiri by Minhaj-us-Siraj, Rajatarangini by Kalhana,
Alamgirnamah by Mirza Muhammad Kazim.
Q.2 What type of practices had worsened the life of women in the medieval period?
A.The position of women deteriorated during the medieval period Because of Inhuman
practices such as: child marriage, polygamy, sati , etc which had worsened the life of women.
In spite of these conditions, some women possessed considerable power. But, that was largely
restricted to the ruling class or the upper class. The journey was not easy for them too. Women
such as Raziya Sultan, Rani Durgavati, etc. have fought against all odds and left their mark on
the history of medieval India.
Q.3 Why are more literary sources available for the study of the medieval period?
A. There is no limit of historical records on medieval India. Literary sources are the information
which is in written form. Unlimited Literary sources are available for the study the medieval
period because Paper gradually became cheaper and easily available during this period.
Hence, a large number of literary sources are available. Literary sources include court
chronicles, biographies, autobiographies, accounts of foreign travellers, correspondence of
the kings and other court records.
Q.4 Name any two new elements introduced in the field of technology during the medieval
period.
A. The people who came from outside India introduced new elements in the field of technology.
For example, the Persian wheel in irrigation, the spinning wheel in weaving and firearms in
combats. They brought several new food items such as potatoes, corn, chillies, tea and coffee
with them.
Q.5 Describe the importance of coins as a source.

A. Coins are of great help to study the medieval period. The writings on the coins give
information about the language and the script, names of kings, titles, date of issue, place of
issue and the emblem of the dynasties. Coins are Often taken to study the types of metals
used, artistic skills, economic prosperity, trade and financial condition of that period.
Q.6 Briefly describe the indigenous literature of the medieval period.

A. Indigenous literature means a literature produced by original native peoples and their
descendants in India. In India the indigenous literature was written in different languages such
as Sanskrit, Bengali, Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, etc. The composition of literature during the
Bhakti and Sufi saints was primarily in the local languages providing ample of scope for the
historians to understand the existing religion and society. For example Tulsidas’s
Ramacharitmanasa is an important literary work to study the cultural history of the medieval
period.
Q.7 What kind of information is obtained from the study of sculpture and paintings?
A. Sculpture and paintings are archaeological sources to study the past of Medieval India. A
critical analysis of sculptures would help us to know about the growth and development of the
socio-cultural history of the period. Painting was another art form that was encouraged by the
medieval kings. The paintings exhibit various aspects of medieval life such as the prevalent
customs, traditions, food habits, jewelry, dresses, etc. of the time.
Q.8 How are the accounts of foreign travellers useful to historians?

A. The accounts of foreign travelers are useful to study the activities of medieval India because
Foreign travellers who visited India during the medieval period have left very valuable
information regarding the political, social and economic condition of India. For example:
* Ibn Batutah was one such traveller who wrote detailed information of his travels under the
title Rihla (The Travelogue). It contains very useful accounts of geographical, judicial,
political, military institutions, as well as social and economic conditions of India.
*Domingo Paes and Duarte Barbosa’s (both Portuguese) who visited Vijayanagara city have
left the eye-witness accounts of the splendour of the Vijayanagara city, the king, the common
people and the trade and commerce.
*Abdur Razzak’s travel accounts are also very useful to study the history of Vijayanagara.
*The work of several other European travellers such as Marco Polo, Nicolo Conti and
Niccolao Manucci (all Italian), Captain William Hawkins, Sir Thomas Roe, and Ralph Fitch
(all English), Bernier and Tavernier (both French) have also made references about India and
its people in their travel accounts.
Q.9 Inscriptions are a treasure house of historical data. Give reason.

A. Inscriptions are writings or texts carved/ printed on cut solid objects such as Pillars, Walls,
temples, forts, caves, Palaces and stone or copper tablets. Inscriptions are a treasure house of
historical data as they provide valuable information such as the royal proclamations, religious
instructions, and the details of grants given. There are innumerable inscriptions
found on the temple walls.
Q.10The medieval period of Indian history witnessed the rise and fall of several dynasties.
Give reason.
A. The medieval period of Indian history witnessed the rise and fall of several dynasties, because
this period marks the struggle for power between regional powers, such as the Pratiharas, the
Rashtrakutas, the Palas and the Cholas. During this period, a group of people known as
Rajputs rose to prominence. They belonged to the Kshatriya clan. Feudalism or the
development of granting land to nobles by the rulers, who in return would get tributes and
military help was a significant feature of medieval India.

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THE REVELATION OF MEDIEVAL INDIA

Q.1 Define chronicle.

Q.5 Describe the importance of coins as a source.

Q.6 Briefly describe the indigenous literature of the medieval period.

Q.8 How are the accounts of foreign travellers useful to historians?

Q.9 Inscriptions are a treasure house of historical data. Give reason.

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