IGNOU HISTORY NOTES : India History From 8th to Mid 15th Century - Polity and Economy in North India

IGNOU HISTORY Study Notes for IAS, UPSC Exams

History India From 8th to Mid 15th Century

Polity and Economy in North India

Structure

2.0 Objectives
2.1 Introduction
2.2 The Lodi Empire
2.2.1 Sikandar Lodi
2.2.2 Ibrahim Lodi
2.3 Establishment of the Mughal Power
2.4 The Second Afghan Empire
2.5 Administrative Structure
2.5.1 ' Nature of Kingship
2.5.2 General Administration
2.6 Economy
2.6.1 Agrarian Structure
2.6.2 Iqta System
2.6.3 Urbanisation
2.7 Let Us Sum Up
2.8 Ke? Words
2.9 Answers tb Check Your Progress Exekises

2.0 OBJECTIVES

This unit discusses the polity and economy in North India during the 16th century.
After going through,this Unit you would be able to understand and analyse the:

nature of political authority exercised by Sikandar Lodi,
problems faced by lbrahim Lodi,
early difficulties of Babur in establishing Mughal rule,
circumstances in which Humayun was defeated by Sher Shah, and
administrative set up under the Lodi Sultans as well as the process ofurbanisation.

2.1 INTRODUCTION

The first half of the 16th century in North India was a period of political turmoil
and instability. This period witnessed frequent changes of ruling dynasties and
emergence of diverse ruling groups. The most significant event was the Mughal
conquest of India. This influenced in a major way the Indian polity, economy and
society of coming 200 years. In this Unit we focus our attention mainly on the first
half of the 16th century. Our aim here is to familiarise you with the political and
economic bdckground in which the powerful Mughal Empire established itself in
India.
At first we discuss the political developments during this period. Our discussion
stads whh the Lodi dynasty of the Afghans. After that we see how the Mughals
defeated the Afghans and established their own political power. Next, we discuss the
overthrow of the Mughals by the Afghans. The Unit ends with the account of the reestablishment of Mughal power under Humayun: In the sphere of economy, the . major developments taking place during this period under the Afghans have been
discussed. We hope this Unit will also help you in understanding the subsequent
Mughal polity and economy of this ped-:. i.ci 41s start with the Lodi empire.