History of Medieval India

by Satish Chandra

Satish Chandra's History of Medieval India is a comprehensive overview of the history of the Indian subcontinent during the thousand-year period between the eighth and the eighteenth century. History of Medieval India studies this interesting period in Indian history when the land underwent drastic changes and was deeply influenced by the invading armies, religious movements, and the vicissitudes of the changing political, economic and cultural scene. To tell the history of a land spanning the geographical dimensions and the political divisions of the Indian subcontinent is in itself a formidable task. Satish Chandra executes this difficult mission withthe eye of an enquirer and the pen of a scholar.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, India, Indian Literature, Medieval, Medieval History, Historical

415 pages, Paperback

First published July 8, 2007

About the author

Satish Chandra was an Indian historian whose main area of specialisation was medieval Indian history.

Please see Wikimedia Commons for the profile picture's licensing information.

Librarians note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Sachin Bhagat · Rating 1 out of 5]

Author's strategy in his book in 3 simple steps-
1. Lets denounce each and every historian who has put his view on the medieval period of Indian History.
3. Lets give statistics without any basis like so and so %age of army under so and so Mughal ruler belonged to so and so religion.
3. Even though Aurangzeb destroyed temples during his reign, reimposed jiziyah & if the historian from his age proclaim he ordered to destroy the temples and to ban public practice of religion other than his own - he knows no better. Lets proclaim Aurangzeb was just to all, no matter what religion they belong to.

Add to this misspellings, lack of proper maps, pictures.

Seriously reading this after A wonder that was India was such a faux pas.

[Brijesh Chandrakar · Rating 1 out of 5]

Medieval India was filled with wars, plunders, invaders. Most of these invasions, plundering obviously carried out by Muslim invaders. While their primary motive may be to loot the great Indian wealth, in the course and in resonance with events in Central Asia, they also wanted to ascertain the Islamic supremacy. A major part of that being destruction of temples, and executions of non-believers, opposers, and taking women as prizes of their invasions (which ultimately lead to Jauhar by Rajput women during invasions). All these horrible events and their associations mainly with Islamic ruler make it difficult to write a historical without hurting Muslim sentiments.
This book almost completely ducts this challenge, instead, it almost always tried to justify the actions based on some political grounds. The worst part, when author even tried to present a different story of the execution of Guru Teg Bahadur by Aurangzeb. The incident is well known and an example of intolerant, sadistic and religious bigotry of Aurangzeb. However, instead of going harsh on him, author termed his actions as "political mistakes".
There are some positive aspects too of the Mughal rule and spread of Islam in India. This book excels in highlighting those aspects. Whether it's the reign of Akbar or the amazing Bhakti-Sufi cultural integrations and religious tolerance in the country. However, almost always there was a ban on the building of new temples in the rule of any Mulsim ruler.
The early parts of the book dealing with Palas, Pratiharas, Cholas give an account of excellent trading conditions in India and economic prosperity at that time (the architectural magnificence and temple building of Cholas). However, even after reading this book I have no idea what was happening outside the Sultanate and Mughal rule in the South after 1400.
Another aspect where the book was not up to the par was the further elaboration of cultural and religious texts and poets of the time. I felt that any book on Medieval Indian History should at least have the mention of Ramacharitamanas, Sursagar. Authors description of the medieval poets and writers, in no way, justifies the poetic brilliance and impact of these writers on the society.
The narrative also at times becomes dull and uninteresting.

[Dayanand Prabhu · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the most un-interesting books I have ever come across. No references are given for any content, which kind of makes me question the credibility of the book. The Reason why Indians hate history is because Historians Like Satish are incapable of writing good history.

[Ajay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Filled with biased personal opinions instead of history and tries to portray mughal rulers as gods and justify each of their heinous act.

[Riju Ganguly · Rating 4 out of 5]

As part of my preparations for Civil Services, I had to read this book comprehensively, and on several occasions. Recent histrionics (courtesy the Elections) over medieval Indian history had rather shaken me, and I felt that a return to the basic secular mode through this book might clarify the perspectives a little. Enjoyed it, despite its brevity and rather sweeping observations (without a single bibliographical support which appear even more flimsy), it's a good read, and a good primer for an interesting and contentious period of history. Recommended.

[Saurabh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dry, not reader-friendly and written with an obvious coloured lens.

No references and sweeping opinions out of thin air. The indigenous people have been completely ignored. Indian students deserve better.

Can serve as a starting material at best.

[Rithik · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read only the first 88 pages of the book and felt it difficult to surpass. The book seems to cover all major topics of Medieval Indian History but the writing style is not easy. The Author introduces a topic and explains a bit about it and deviates into many other topics in a section, although topics are related, those are numerous to keep track.

[Aditya Kane · Rating 2 out of 5]

The language could have been a lot better and the references are totally missing.

[Chandrakiran M · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dull narrative style. Filled with innumerable unnecessary details. The author goes on for pages without making any significant points.

[Mansi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Satish Chandra is an apologist for the mughals. He goes out of his way to de link the islamic tendencies of the mughals and the political rule. Especially, for Aurengzeb. Bending over backwards, he cites instances to claim aurengzeb was a veena player and the ban on music was a measure of economy. unfortunate that a generation was peddled this interpretation of history.

[Gordhan Chaudhari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Major portion of book only contain history in perspective of Delhi and glorified invading forces.

Indian Kings not finds any mention or author finished in 1 or 2 paragraph.

Analysis done in Marxist perspective, everything shown as he was like writing on gun point.

Not much of South Kings, East Kings of Burma or NE, Rajputs, VijayNagar empire or coastal kingdom, Tribal society...

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 1 out of 5]

The lesser said about this book, the better. This go-to text has been referred in almost every level of higher History learning in our country. Now, the problem is that purging history of its inconvenient moments having been a venerable tradition in the communist world, it comes as no surprise that India’s past too is considerably spruced up in this tome. Whole kingdoms and dynasties that throve between the death of Harsha in AD 647 and the founding of the Delhi Sultanate in AD 1206 find zero mention in the text. This half millennium controlled by energetic new ruling houses was an age of efflorescence, of monumental temples, literary flowering and intense philosophical speculation.

Incidentally, Meenakshi Jain in her detailed study entitled ‘Flawed narratives’ has provided the modern Indian reader with at least 500 points with which to forever shove this tome in the dustbin of History. I would just like to add a single point she raises as critique to this tome.

She says: ‘Though purported to be a text on ‘Medieval India,’ Satish Chandra’s book begins with a discussion on Europe in the aftermath of the breakup of the Roman empire, followed by a description of European feudalism, the Arab world from the 8th to the 10th centuries, and last but not least, East and South-East Asia! That India does not merit even a subsection in the opening chapter perhaps best illustrates the Marxist alienation from the Indic perspective and their utter reliance upon foreign categories and periodizations for understanding events in India. Even though the very first paragraph of the book admits that developments in Europe and Asia only “had an indirect effect an India….”(Page 1), Marxists are unable to break away from imported categories of thought, howsoever ill they fit the Indian reality. They seem incapable of viewing India in terms of itself. For them, it must always move in tandem with Europe, the Arab world, even East and South-East Asia.’

I find a very striking similarity in spirit of this book, with two other very circulated and referenced tomes on Medieval India. The first one by Dr. Ishtiaq Husain Qureshi, entitled "Administration of the Sultanate of Delhi" goes on to point out that the state in Medieval India was not a theocracy. To quote Qureshi, "The supremacy of the Shara has misled some into thinking that the Sultanate was a theocracy. The essential feature of a theocracy --- the rule of an ordained priesthood --- is however missing in the organisation of the Muslim state; the jurists are laymen who claim no sacerdotal immunity from error. Gibb is right in calling the Islamic polity theocentric.” The second book is a cult-classis among Marxist as well as Cambridge Historians – ‘Delhi Sultanate and its Times’ by the late Mohammad Habib. Habib says, and I quote, “It (the state in Medieval India) was not a theocratic state in any sense of the word" and "its foundation was, nevertheless, non-religious and secular." So, there you have it ladies and gentlemen.

Chandra as a classic product of constructed and fabricated History outdoes his predecessors.

[Prithu Puranjan · Rating 5 out of 5]

16 August 2024

My first book regarding medieval history of India... so 5 stars for it🙂‍↕️

The whole story went pictorially and it was fun knowing what happend with all the big names we hear everyday but dont know much about.

The progression of development of empires and state, the bureaucracy, the financial systems, the agriculture, religion, the sufi nd bhakti movements was really fun.

And the three kings who fascinated me the most were Allaudin khalji, Sher shah suri, nd ofcourse Akbar .

Their methods of controlling administration across such a vast empire and their victories nd politics were too cool.

Real life Game of Thrones. (though i havent read or watched the show)

[Meha · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are new to History, you would definitely like this book. It is written in a simple language and covers all the topic of medieval India comprehensively. It is a good choice if you are preparing for competitive exams. Certain parts show personal bias of the author but despite that it is a good read.

[Shikha Pandey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the first books that I read when I decide to start UPSC preparation.
Being a techie, I was not so interested in history but this book was able to draw the interest in me.

[Nitigya Raj Pant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent primer to begin Medieval Indian History. Nothing more to it.

[Sofiya Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up for my preparation but it also fed my liking for history. So many things which I had only known in bits and pieces have become a complete picture now. A second and a third reading can further set the timeline in the mind which will be very useful during the exams.
I would have rated it 5 stars but for the fact that north Indian history is completely covered in all its details but southern dynasties lack a bit. I would have liked to read more about the Deccan kingdoms, Bahmani sulatante, Golconda and other southern dynasties. Also, I had expected more about the architecture of the Mughals. Sure there was a chapter dedicated to it but it was more about the architectural style of the Mughals and not about who built which monument and when, which is what I wanted.
It is a little big. But I guess one can enjoy it more if there is not the need to memorize details.
I won't be wrong if I say that about 60% of the book revolves around the 6 major mughal emperors. It was nice though to know the details since almost all rulers get sidelined by the glory of Akbar. Shah Jahan gets his share of recognition by the mention of his architectural works. But this book detailed how other rulers such as Jahangir, Humayun and Aurangzeb were apt and firm rulers as well.

[Arjun Sivaprasad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not for interest reading.It covers all most of the medieval Indian history in a timely ordered manner.Usually recommended for civil service aspirants UPSC,SSC,CDS. The language used is simple and not complicated.If you are preparing for any of these exam and you need little deep information about medieval India you can definitely use this book.
For me it was useful.

[Neha P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read book.. if you don't know history ..you cant create one!

[Srijan Raj · Rating 5 out of 5]

History is not record to prove how great a race, region, community, individual is or it is also not an account to judge superiority or inferiority, rather it's a study of past which is essential in many ways such as to find gaps and opportunities of development etc, in other words for a SWOT analysis. But there is a writers perception of which this book is fluent and balanced.

As a history book it is very interesting and a fast read.

[Vishnu Bodhanapu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gives a complete picture of political, economic and cultural conditions of 1000 medieval years from 8th to 18th century.

Would be very useful for civil service aspirants.

[Krishan Mohan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Completely biased hostory presentation....not recommend this book to any book.
Story telling style of author made mughal excessive glorious and on the other hand make rajput and marathas and south indian kingdoms petty.

[Rohit Shinde · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives a rough overview of the time period between 800 A.D. to 1700 A.D., around the time the Mughal Empire started disintegrating. It is meant as an introduction to those people who don't have much idea of medieval History of India. It is a good book to start with and then you can move to more books which cover niches such as various local histories or so.
The only fault I found with this book is the author's assumption that some parts of History are well known and so doesn't expound on them in detail.

[Wyrek Zenodorys · Rating 3 out of 5]

While being a book of brief outlook on Indian medieval history, it does a good job to provide an abstract of it.
Though, it has absolutely nothing mentioned about Kalachuris, Traikutaka and others in the south as well.
It has a narrative which justifies by normalization of brutality in the name of tradition when it's committed by Mughals, Afghans and other muslim invaders but when a hindu does, it criticizes them to a great extent. There is this bias against them.
Other than that, Good book to introduce yourself with the abstract of indian medieval history.

[Ishaan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the old NCERT book for senior high school students. It is filled with facts, but needs more diversity of ideologies and views . It doesn’t contain many maps, which makes it difficult to visualise the extent of empires. More diagrams would be good too. Finally, history has moved on from just kings and politics. The portions on other matters need to be expanded, if this book were to be revised for contemporary reading.

[Saurabh Odak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gives a good account of the Indian history after Mauryan and Gupta empire particularly filling in the gaps where I was not aware of. Another positive is the author provides a holistic and parallel picture of India covering all the areas (including far East and south). There are typographical errors.
Probably too much stress on the Mughal period of Indian history.

[Art Wangchu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quit.

The author's writing is quite weird, not academic enough. I cannot capture what he wants to tell me. And it was the first line of the first chapter's first section that shocked me: "In Europe, the mighty Roman Empire had broken into two by the third quarter of the SIXTH century." Hey! Don't kid me! Do you think that I need to read on?

[Nithesh S · Rating 3 out of 5]

No pictures. But the narrative and writings are good.

[Satyarth Roshan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remarkable book to upgrade your historical knowledge .

[Aman Azad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book describes the mediaeval history of India very beautifully, without any bias or corruption.