history Flashcards
Why did Mahmud of Ghazni invade India?
Mahmud needed money to raise a large army and make Ghazni the most powerful kingdom. He had heard about the wealth of India and decided to invade it.
Over how many years did Mahmud of Ghazni invade India, and how many times?
Over 26 years, Mahmud invaded India 17 times.
How did Mahmud take advantage of India’s political conditions?
India lacked unity among rulers, and they were often at war with one another, making it easier for Mahmud to invade without significant resistance.
Who were Mahmud’s early targets in India?
The HinduShahi rulers, Jaipal and Anandpal, whose territories extended from Punjab to Afghanistan.
What did Mahmud achieve in his early raids?
He defeated the HinduShahi rulers and obtained a large tribute from them.
Which temple towns were targeted by Mahmud in his subsequent raids?
Rich temple towns such as Mathura, Kannauj (1018), and the Somnath Temple (1026).
What did Mahmud do during the raid on the Somnath Temple?
He stripped the temple of all its wealth, including precious stones embedded in its walls, and carried the riches to Ghazni.
How many people died defending the Somnath Temple?
Some historians believe that more than 50,000 people died.
What did Mahmud do with the wealth plundered from India?
He beautified Ghazni with gardens, mosques, libraries, colleges, and museums.
Name two notable scholars patronized by Mahmud of Ghazni.
Al-Biruni (author of Kitab ul Hind) and Firdausi (author of Shahnamah).
When did Mahmud of Ghazni die, and what happened to his empire afterward?
Mahmud died in 1030. After his death, weak successors led the Ghaznavid Empire to shrink rapidly, and no further invasions occurred for over a century.
How did Muhammad Ghazni’s actions affect Muhammad Ghori?
Muhammad Ghazni had defeated the ruler of Ghor and made him his vassal. After Mahmud’s death, Muhammad Ghori took advantage of the Ghaznavid Empire’s weakness to make Ghor independent and annex all Ghaznavid territories.
What was Muhammad Ghori’s goal in invading India?
To expand his empire and establish a strong base, not just to plunder wealth.
What were Muhammad Ghori’s conquests before the battles of Tarain?
1175: Conquered Multan.
1178: Defeated by the ruler of Gujarat.
1190: Conquered Punjab.
Describe the two battles of Tarain.
First Battle (1191): Muhammad Ghori was decisively defeated by Prithviraj Chauhan.
Second Battle (1192): Muhammad Ghori, better prepared, defeated and captured Prithviraj Chauhan.
What happened after the second battle of Tarain?
Prithviraj’s territories were occupied, and Muhammad Ghori continued expanding his empire.
What was the significance of the Battle of Chandwar (1194)?
Muhammad Ghori defeated Raja Jaichand of Kannauj, gaining control over the Ganga-Yamuna Doab.
What marked the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate?
The Turkish victory and establishment of Delhi as the power center.
Why did political disunity help the Turks succeed in India?
India had many small kingdoms constantly at war with each other and failed to unite against a foreign enemy.
How did the composition of Indian armies weaken the rulers?
Rulers depended on feudal lords who controlled most of the armies. These armies were more loyal to feudal lords than to the rulers.
Why were Indian armies no match for the Turks?
Indian armies were scientifically backward, relying on slow-moving elephants and swordsmen, while the Turks used swift cavalry and archers.
What military changes occurred after the Turkish invasion?
Rulers began maintaining their own armies and adopted new warfare techniques, including the use of horses.
Which cities became new trading centers due to the Turkish invasion?
Lahore and Multan.
How did Turkish contact influence Indian culture?
It led to a composite culture visible in art, architecture, food, language, and music.
What political impact did the Turkish invasion have on India?
It paved the way for the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate, which controlled large parts of northern India.
Why were the rulers of the Slave Dynasty called ‘Mamluk Sultans’?
‘Mamluk’ means ‘owned,’ indicating they were former slaves.
What were Qutb-ud-din Aibak’s contributions?
Built the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque.
Began constructing the Qutub Minar.
Known as ‘Lakh Baksh’ for his generosity.
Why is Iltutmish considered the real founder of the Delhi Sultanate?
Shifted the capital to Delhi.
Consolidated power by suppressing nobles and Rajput chiefs.
Defended against Mongol invasions.
Expanded the empire and reorganized the revenue system.
What challenges did Raziya Sultan face during her reign?
Nobles opposed her for being a woman.
She reduced the nobles’ power, leading to their rebellion.
What were the main difficulties faced by the Slave Kings?
Contenders for the throne due to lack of royal lineage.
Frequent revolts by Rajputs and Indian rulers.
Mongol threats under Chenghiz Khan and his successors.
