FYUG Even Semester Exam, 2025
HISTORY (4th Semester)
Course No.: HISDSM-251/252

The construction was started by Qutb-ud-din Aibak and completed by Iltutmish.

Shams ud-din Iltutmish is often regarded as the real founder of the Delhi Sultanate due to his extensive efforts in consolidating Turkish rule:

• Suppression of Rivals: He defeated powerful contenders like Nasiruddin Qabacha and Tajuddin Yildiz to secure his position.
• Introduction of Iqta System: He organized the administration by dividing the empire into Iqtas (provinces) and assigning them to Turkish officers.
• The Chahalgani (The Forty): He created a loyal corps of forty Turkish slave officers to assist in administration and maintain central control.
• Monetary Reforms: He introduced the Silver Tanka and Copper Jital, providing a stable currency system.
• Saving India from Mongols: Through diplomatic tact, he avoided a direct confrontation with Genghis Khan, thereby saving the infant sultanate from destruction.

Alauddin Khilji's economic and market control policies were designed primarily to maintain a large standing army at low cost[span_16](end_span):

• Price Fixation: He strictly fixed the prices of all essential commodities, from food grains to cloth and even slaves.
• Market Regulations: Three separate markets were established in Delhi for food grains, expensive cloth, and horses/slaves.
• The Shahna-i-Mandi: Each market was placed under a high officer called the Shahna-i-Mandi to ensure compliance and prevent hoarding.
• Rationing System: During times of scarcity, a rationing system was implemented where each household was allowed a specific amount of grain.
• Taxation: He increased land revenue to 50% of the produce and introduced new taxes like Ghari (house tax) and Charai (pasture tax).

Bhakti refers to selfless devotion and love towards a personal God. A famous Bhakti saint from Bengal is Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

The First Battle of Panipat was fought on April 21, 1526, between Babur and Ibrahim Lodi.

The Mansabdari system was a grading system used by the Mughal administration to fix rank, salary, and military responsibilities. It was introduced by Akbar.

Sher Shah Suri is known for his brilliant administrative reforms which later served as a blueprint for Akbar:

• Land Revenue Reform: He introduced the 'Rai' system (schedule of crop rates) and measured land using the Sikandari Gaz.
• Communication: He built the Grand Trunk Road and established 1700 Sarais (rest houses) for travellers.
• Currency: He introduced the Silver 'Rupia' and Gold 'Ashrafi', standardizing the weights and measures of coins.
• Central Administration: The empire was divided into Sarkars, which were further divided into Parganas for efficient local governance.
• Law and Order: He held local officials responsible for crimes committed in their areas, ensuring high security for trade.

Jizya was a per capita yearly tax levied on non-Muslim subjects. It was reimposed by Aurangzeb.

Shivaji Maharaj founded the Maratha Empire through military brilliance and administrative foresight:

• Guerrilla Warfare: He perfected Ganimi Kava (guerrilla tactics) to defeat larger armies of the Bijapur Sultanate and the Mughals.
• Fortification: He captured and built over 300 forts, making them the backbone of his defense system.
• The Ashtapradhan: He established a council of eight ministers to manage the administration.
• Taxation: He introduced Chauth (1/4th of produce) and Sardeshmukhi (an additional 10%) as revenue from neighboring territories.
• Coronation: His coronation at Raigad in 1674 declared him as 'Chhatrapati', formalizing the Maratha sovereignty.

The Continental System was Napoleon's attempt to defeat Britain by paralyzing its economy:

• Economic Blockade: Napoleon prohibited all European nations under his control from trading with Britain.
• Berlin and Milan Decrees: These decrees declared the British Isles under blockade and ordered the seizure of any ship touching a British port.
• Objective: The goal was to destroy British commerce and industry, leading to internal unrest and eventual surrender.
• Failure: The system failed because of British naval superiority, large-scale smuggling, and the dependence of European countries on British goods.
• Backfire: It alienated Napoleon's allies and directly led to the Peninsular War and the disastrous invasion of Russia.

The Congress of Vienna (1815) aimed to restore order in Europe after the Napoleonic Wars:

• Principle of Legitimacy: Restoring traditional monarchs to their thrones, such as the Bourbons in France.
• Balance of Power: Redrawing the map of Europe to prevent any single nation from becoming too powerful.
• Compensation: Rewarding nations that fought against Napoleon with new territories (e.g., Prussia received parts of Saxony).
• Buffer States: Creating strong states around France to prevent future aggression (e.g., the Kingdom of the Netherlands).

Young Italy was formed in 1831 by Giuseppe Mazzini.

The unification of Italy (Risorgimento) was a complex process involving multiple key figures[span_58](end_span):

• Mazzini (The Soul): He provided the intellectual and emotional impetus through his 'Young Italy' movement.
• Cavour (The Brain): As Prime Minister of Piedmont-Sardinia, he used diplomacy and strategic alliances (especially with France) to expel Austria from the north.
• Garibaldi (The Sword): He led the 'Red Shirts' in the conquest of Southern Italy and Sicily, eventually handing the territories over to King Victor Emmanuel II.
• The Final Stages: The process concluded with the annexation of Venice in 1866 and Rome in 1870, making Rome the capital of a unified Italy.

The Entente Cordiale was signed between France and Great Britain.