History — Our Pasts (Ancient to Modern India) • Topic 3 of 5

Sultans, Mughals & Regional Cultures

The Gupta Age (around the 4th-6th centuries CE) is often called a classical or 'golden' age for its achievements in art, literature, mathematics (the idea of zero and the decimal system) and astronomy; Samudragupta is praised in the Prayag Prashasti (Allahabad pillar inscription). After regional kingdoms rose and fell, the Delhi Sultanate (13th-16th centuries) was established by Turkish and Afghan rulers - dynasties such as the Slave, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodi - who introduced new forms of administration and architecture (the Qutb Minar belongs to this period). The Mughal Empire began with Babur (1526) and reached its height under Akbar (ruled 1556-1605), remembered for his policy of sulh-i-kul (peace with all), tolerance of all faiths, and a strong revenue and mansabdari system. The Mughals left magnificent architecture (later the Taj Mahal under Shah Jahan). Alongside the courts, regional cultures flourished, and two great devotional movements swept the land: the Bhakti movement (Hindu saints like Kabir, Mirabai and Guru Nanak who stressed personal love of God over caste and ritual) and the Sufi movement (Muslim mystics who preached love and devotion). Both emphasised equality and a direct, personal bond with the divine.

✅ Solved examples

1. The Mughal emperor known for his policy of sulh-i-kul (peace with all) and tolerance towards all religions was:
Akbar (ruled 1556-1605). His liberal religious policy and able administration mark the high point of the Mughal Empire.
2. The Gupta period is often called the "Golden Age" of ancient India mainly because of its achievements in:
Art, literature, science and mathematics - including major advances in astronomy and the use of zero and the decimal system.
3. The Bhakti and Sufi movements were similar in that both stressed:
A direct, personal devotion to and love of God, and equality of all people, rather than rigid ritual and caste/social distinctions.
4. The Delhi Sultanate was ruled by a series of dynasties. Which of these belonged to the Sultanate - Slave, Khalji, Tughlaq, Lodi - or the Mughals?
The Slave, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodi dynasties were the Delhi Sultanate. The Mughals (from Babur in 1526) came after and were a separate empire.

✏️ Practice — try these, take hints as needed

1. The founder of the Mughal Empire in India, who won the first Battle of Panipat in 1526, was:
He came from Central Asia.
Father of Humayun.
Babur
2. Kabir, Mirabai and Guru Nanak are associated with which devotional movement?
Hindu saint-poets.
Stressed love of God over caste.
The Bhakti movement
3. Samudragupta is praised in which famous inscription?
On the Allahabad pillar.
Composed by Harishena.
The Prayag Prashasti (Allahabad Pillar inscription)
4. Muslim mystics who preached love, tolerance and a personal bond with God were known as:
The Islamic devotional stream.
Counterpart to the Bhakti saints.
Sufis

📝 Topic test — 8 questions

Auto-graded with full solutions; saved to your dashboard. Use the calculator and formula sheet (top-right) any time.

Loading questions…
← First Cities & Early Empires Company Rule & The Revolt of 1857 →