What is india in medieval period?

India in the Medieval period (650 CE – 1600 CE) witnessed significant changes in the political, social, and cultural spheres. Some of the notable developments during this period are as follows:

  1. Rise of Regional Kingdoms: The political landscape of India in the medieval period was marked by the rise of numerous regional kingdoms. Some of the prominent ones were the Cholas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Pallavas, and Pandyas in the south, and the Rajputs, Guptas, and Mauryas in the north.

  2. Muslim Invasions: During the medieval period, India experienced several invasions by Muslim rulers. The first Muslim invasion took place in the 8th century when Arab raiders attacked Sindh. In the 12th century, Muhammad Ghori invaded India and defeated Prithviraj Chauhan, adding large parts of northern India to his empire. Later, a number of Muslim dynasties like the Delhi Sultanate, the Mughals, and the Bahmani Sultanate ruled India.

  3. Development of Art and Architecture: The medieval period saw the development of several forms of art and architecture. Some of the notable examples are the Chola temples in Tamil Nadu, the Red Fort and Jama Masjid in Delhi, and the Taj Mahal in Agra.

  4. Literary Works: The medieval period in India saw a flowering of literature in several languages including Sanskrit, Persian, Urdu, and Hindi. Literary works like the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Puranas, the works of Kalidasa, and the poetry of Amir Khusro and Kabir are some of the well-known works from this period.

  5. Social Changes: The medieval period also witnessed several social changes. The caste system became more rigid, Sati (widow immolation) became a common practice, and the position of women in society deteriorated. However, the Bhakti movement and the Sufi movement also brought about some positive changes by encouraging religious tolerance and social harmony.