1. Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq was the first ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty, coming to power in 1320 AD after ending the Khilji rule. A disciplined and practical administrator, he focused on strengthening the economy, improving agriculture and establishing law and order. One of his major achievements was foundinRead more

    Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq was the first ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty, coming to power in 1320 AD after ending the Khilji rule. A disciplined and practical administrator, he focused on strengthening the economy, improving agriculture and establishing law and order. One of his major achievements was founding the fortified city of Tughlaqabad, designed to defend Delhi from Mongol threats. His policies marked a shift from the aggressive expansionism of earlier rulers to more structured governance. Although his reign was short, Ghiyasuddin laid the foundation that allowed later Tughlaq rulers, including Muhammad bin Tughlaq, to govern a large and complex empire.

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  2. Iltutmish, originally a slave of Qutbuddin Aibak, rose through the ranks due to his exceptional administrative and military skills and later became the greatest ruler of the Slave or Mamluk Dynasty. He consolidated the Delhi Sultanate after Aibak’s death and successfully defended it against internalRead more

    Iltutmish, originally a slave of Qutbuddin Aibak, rose through the ranks due to his exceptional administrative and military skills and later became the greatest ruler of the Slave or Mamluk Dynasty. He consolidated the Delhi Sultanate after Aibak’s death and successfully defended it against internal revolts and external threats. Iltutmish issued the first regular currency of the sultanate and completed major architectural works such as the Qutub Minar. He also introduced the Iqta system more systematically and gained recognition from the Abbasid Caliph, which increased the legitimacy of his rule. His reign firmly established the foundations of the Delhi Sultanate.

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  3. Ibn Battuta, the well-known traveler from Morocco, visited India during the rule of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, one of the most ambitious yet controversial rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. Impressed by Battuta’s knowledge, the Sultan appointed him as the Qazi of Delhi. Ibn Battuta spent several years in IndRead more

    Ibn Battuta, the well-known traveler from Morocco, visited India during the rule of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, one of the most ambitious yet controversial rulers of the Delhi Sultanate. Impressed by Battuta’s knowledge, the Sultan appointed him as the Qazi of Delhi. Ibn Battuta spent several years in India and travelled widely across the subcontinent, including to Malabar and Sri Lanka. His travelogue, Rihla, provides vivid descriptions of Tughlaq’s administration, the splendour of Delhi, trade routes, people’s customs, markets and the challenges faced by the empire. His writings remain an important primary source for understanding 14th-century India.

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  4. Mahmud Ghaznavi, the ruler of Ghazni, invaded India 17 times between 1000 and 1027 CE. His invasions were driven by the desire for wealth, expansion of his empire, and the spread of Islam. He targeted rich temples and prosperous cities such as Mathura, Kannauj and especially the Somnath Temple, whicRead more

    Mahmud Ghaznavi, the ruler of Ghazni, invaded India 17 times between 1000 and 1027 CE. His invasions were driven by the desire for wealth, expansion of his empire, and the spread of Islam. He targeted rich temples and prosperous cities such as Mathura, Kannauj and especially the Somnath Temple, which he plundered in 1025 CE. Although he did not attempt long-term territorial annexation in India, his repeated raids weakened Indian kingdoms, particularly the Rajput powers. These invasions created political instability, paving the way for later Muslim conquests in North India. His campaigns hold major significance in medieval Indian history.

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  5. The Great Depression of 1929 to the mid-1930s had a serious impact on colonial India’s economy and society in several ways: Collapse of Trade: India’s exports and imports dropped by nearly half between 1928 and 1934 as global demand declined sharply. Falling Agricultural Prices: The prices of farm gRead more

    The Great Depression of 1929 to the mid-1930s had a serious impact on colonial India’s economy and society in several ways:
    Collapse of Trade: India’s exports and imports dropped by nearly half between 1928 and 1934 as global demand declined sharply.
    Falling Agricultural Prices: The prices of farm goods crashed—wheat values fell by almost 50% and raw jute by more than 60%—causing great hardship for farmers.
    Peasant Suffering: Despite the crisis, revenue demands stayed the same, pushing peasants into debt. Many mortgaged their land or sold jewellery and valuables to survive.
    Gold Exports: India became a key exporter of gold, which helped Britain recover but gave little benefit to Indian farmers.
    Urban Effects: While rural areas faced poverty, some city residents with fixed incomes gained from lower prices and a few industries expanded under tariff protection.

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