Day: June 7, 2025

Bhakti and Sufi Movements: Kabir

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1. Introduction to Kabir and the Bhakti-Sufi Movements Kabir (c. 1398–1518 CE), a mystic poet and saint, is a pivotal figure in the Bhakti and Sufi movements, which emphasized personal devotion and spiritual unity over ritualistic religion in medieval India. Born in Varanasi, Kabir’s life is shrouded in legend, with hagiographies claiming he was raised…
Sikh Empire: Administration

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1. Introduction to the Sikh Empire’s Administration The Sikh Empire (1799–1849 CE), under Maharaja Ranjit Singh (r. 1799–1839 CE) and his successors, developed a centralized and efficient administrative system that unified Punjab and supported its territorial expansion across northwest India. Rooted in the egalitarian principles of Sikhism established by Guru Gobind Singh, the administration integrated…
Sikh Empire: Ranjit Singh

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1. Introduction to Ranjit Singh and the Sikh Empire Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780–1839 CE), known as the “Lion of Punjab,” was the founder and most prominent ruler of the Sikh Empire (1799–1849 CE). Born in Gujranwala, he unified the Sikh misls (militias) to establish a centralized, secular state in Punjab, extending its influence across northwest…
Sikh Empire: Guru Gobind Singh

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1. Introduction to Guru Gobind Singh and the Sikh Empire Guru Gobind Singh (1666–1708 CE), the tenth Sikh Guru, was a pivotal figure in the formation of the Sikh Empire, laying the ideological and military foundation for Sikh sovereignty in the 18th–19th centuries. Born as Gobind Rai in Patna, he became Guru at age nine…
Maratha Empire: Expansion

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1. Introduction to Maratha Expansion The Maratha Empire, founded by Shivaji Bhonsle (1630–1680 CE), expanded significantly from its origins in the Western Ghats to dominate much of the Indian subcontinent by the mid-18th century. This expansion, primarily under Shivaji and the Peshwas (1713–1818 CE), transformed the Marathas from a regional power into a confederacy challenging…
Maratha Empire: Peshwa Rule

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1. Introduction to Peshwa Rule and the Maratha Empire The Peshwa Rule (1713–1818 CE) represents the zenith of the Maratha Empire, transforming it from a regional power founded by Shivaji into a confederacy dominating much of India in the 18th century. The Peshwas, originally prime ministers in Shivaji’s administration, became hereditary rulers under Balaji Vishwanath,…
Maratha Empire: Shivaji

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1. Introduction to Shivaji and the Maratha Empire Shivaji Bhonsle (1630–1680 CE), also known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was the founder of the Maratha Empire, a significant power in 17th-century India that challenged Mughal dominance. Born in the hill-fort of Shivneri, Shivaji established a formidable state in the Deccan, leveraging guerrilla warfare, strategic alliances, and…
Mughal Empire: Land Revenue System

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1. Introduction to the Mughal Land Revenue System The Mughal Empire (1526–1857 CE) relied heavily on its land revenue system as the backbone of its economy, funding military campaigns, administration, and imperial projects. The system evolved significantly over time, with notable reforms under emperors like Akbar, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb. It was designed to extract…
Mughal Empire: Aurangzeb

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1. Introduction to Aurangzeb and the Mughal Empire Muhi-ud-Din Muhammad Aurangzeb (1618–1707 CE), the sixth Mughal emperor, reigned from 1658 to 1707 CE, representing the territorial zenith of the Mughal Empire but also the onset of its decline. Ascending the throne after a brutal war of succession against his brothers, Aurangzeb expanded the empire to…
Mughal Empire: Akbar

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1. Introduction to Akbar and the Mughal Empire Jalal-ud-Din Muhammad Akbar (1542–1605 CE), the third Mughal emperor, reigned from 1556 to 1605 CE and is considered the architect of the Mughal Empire’s golden age. Ascending the throne at age 13 after his father Humayun’s death, Akbar transformed the fragile empire inherited from Babur into a…