History (Ancient, Medieval & Modern) • Topic 2 of 4

Medieval India

The Delhi Sultanate began in 1206 (Qutb-ud-din Aibak, Slave dynasty) and ran through the Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid and Lodi dynasties. The Mughal Empire was founded by Babur after the First Battle of Panipat (1526); Akbar consolidated it, Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal.

The Delhi Sultanate — five dynasties

From 1206 to 1526, five dynasties ruled Delhi in order: Slave (Mamluk) → Khalji → Tughlaq → Sayyid → Lodi. The Lodi dynasty was the last — Ibrahim Lodi lost to Babur in 1526.

The great Mughals

EmperorRemembered for
Babur (1526)founder; won the First Battle of Panipat
HumayunBabur's son; lost and regained the throne
Akbar (1556–1605)greatest expansion; Din-i-Ilahi; abolished jizya
Shah Jahanbuilt the Taj Mahal (Agra)
Aurangzeblast of the great Mughals
South India. The Vijayanagara Empire (capital Hampi) flourished in the south, and the Bhakti and Sufi movements shaped religious life across the period.

✅ Solved examples

1. Who founded the Mughal Empire and after which battle?
Babur, after the First Battle of Panipat (1526).
2. Who built the Taj Mahal?
Shah Jahan, in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, at Agra.
3. Who founded the Delhi Sultanate (Slave dynasty)?
Qutb-ud-din Aibak, in 1206.
4. Which Mughal emperor is associated with the Din-i-Ilahi?
Akbar.

✏️ Practice — try these, take hints as needed

1. In which year was the First Battle of Panipat fought?
Babur vs Ibrahim Lodi.
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—
1526
2. Name the last major dynasty of the Delhi Sultanate.
Defeated by Babur.
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—
Lodi dynasty
3. The Taj Mahal is located in which city?
On the Yamuna.
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—
Agra
4. Akbar belonged to which empire?
Founded by Babur.
—
—
Mughal Empire
5. The famous south-Indian empire with capital Hampi was?
UNESCO ruins.
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—
Vijayanagara Empire

📝 Topic test — 8 questions

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