The Advent of Arab and Turks-
Socio- economic and political condition of India before advent of Arab and Turks-
Social conditions-
Development of rigid caste structure-
The caste system become more rigid and the 4 fold varna system further divided into number of subclasses
For example the Brahmins were further divided into number of sub classes
The position of Lower caste was further degraded
There was rise and strengthening of new class or caste called as Rajputs
The upper castes of the Indian society developed a false sense of pride in their superiority
Position of women-
During this time the position of women was also not good and they were treated as inferior to the men
They were denied basic education and Sati system became prevalent during this time
Religious conditions-
This period saw the decrease of Jainism and Buddhism and there was rise of Hinduism and Bhakti movement
There was a growing popularity of Siva and Vishnu.
Economic condition-
Overall there were good economic conditions
There was self sufficiency in villages and agriculture was in good condition
There was development of sub feudatories which led to decrease in tax collection as major part of the tax used to get divided among these feudatories
Due to self sufficiency of villages there was decrease in internal trade
But the external trade in southern coasts was in good conditions
Along with these there was development of money lenders in villages as well as in urban areas
Political conditions-
Political condition was not that much good at that time
According to Al-beruni there was no feeling of nationalism in India
At that time the there was decrease in the centralization of the administration and there were small regional chiefs and feudatories who had control over that specific area
These feudatories had concentration of wealth and were dominating in the society
Attack of Mohammad Bin Qasim-
He was the 1st Arab to attack India
He attacked Sind and Multan in 712 A.D.
The subjugation of Sind made way for Islam in India
The Ghaznavis-
Mahmud Ghaznavi was one of the famous leaders who attacked India 17 times from 1000 A.D. to 1028 A.D.
During his 17th attack he plundered Somanth temple
Court Historians of Mahmud Ghazni-
Beruni wrote Kitab-ul Hind
Firdausi wrote Shah Namah
Motive of his invasions-
Acquisition of wealth
Propagation of Islam
Acquisition of artisans
Expansion of Kingdome
Some of his conquest and attacks are as follows-
In 1004 AD he attacked Mera and Bhatinda
In 1005-6 AD he attacked Multan
In 1009 AD he attacked Nagarkot Kangra
In 1015 AD he attacked Kashmir, which was under the control of Bhumipala,the son of Anandpala
In 1018 Mahmud plundered the holy city of Mathura and also attacked Kanuaj.
In 1024, Mahmud marched from Multan across Rajaputana, defeated the Solanki King Bhimadeva I
In 1025 AD he attacked Somnath temple and destroyed the temple and Shivalinga
Consequences of Mahmuds invasion-
Spreading of Islam in Sind, Punjab and other areas
Destruction of Art and Architecture of India, For example –Destruction of Somnath temple,Kannauj ,Mathura and Nagarkot
Weakening of regional kings due to destruction caused my Mahmud
Spread of Persian culture to India, specifically in North western part
Spread of Indian art and culture in Central Asia
Political instability in India
Mohammad Ghori-
He became ruler of Ghazni in 1173 AD
Political condition of India at that time-
India was ruled by Ghznis in North and North West than central and western part were ruled by Rajputs and there were local kings in southern India
He attacked India in 1075 AD
He marched against Multan and freed it from its ruler. In the same campaign he captured Uchch from the Bhatti Rajputs
In AD 1178 he again marched to conquer Gujarat but the Chalukya ruler of Gujarat, Bhima II defeated him at the battle of Anhilwara
First Battle of Tarain- AD 1191
Prithviraj chauhan III was having the control over Delhi and Ajmer at that time
1st battle took place over the issue of control over Tabarhind or Bhatinda
Ghori was defeated in this battle
Second Battle of Tarain- AD 1192-
Ghori wanted to take avenge of previous defeat, therefore he attacked Prithviraj in 1192 AD
In this battle Prithviraj was defeated and Delhi and Ajmer came under control of Ghori
After his victory over Prithiviraj at Tarain, Muhammad Ghori returned to Ghazni leaving behind his favourite general Qutb-uddin Aibak to make further conquests in India