Formation of Delhi Sultanate:
Northern India had issues with unity since the Rajput kingdoms were often at war with one another. With no centralized govt, they were vulnerable to Muslim attacks. “By the early 13th century, Islamic forces managed to conquer the city of Delhi and much of the northern portion of South Asia.” this is how the Delhi Sultanate was established reigned for 300 years (13th-16th centuries) jizya - a tax that the Delhi Sultanate imposed on the non-Muslim citizens of their empire bc of the jizya, some Hindus didn’t convert to Islam and resented Muslims [PARTIALLY QUOTED] never organized an efficient bureaucracy so sultans had difficulty imposing their policies local India kingdoms continued to influence despite Islamic strong presence Delhi Sultanate fell to the Mughals in 1526 STABILITY OF SOUTHERN INDIA V.S. NORTHERN INDIA:
southern India was more stable:
established two kingdoms: Chola dynasty and Vijayanagara empire. Chola expanded to modern day Sri Lanka, which was then known as Ceylon Vijayanagara empire was successful for abt 200 years northern India was less stable:
Rajput kingdoms formed after the fall of the Gupta was split up and fought a lot amongst themselves impossible to make a centralized govt; leading to disunity and vulnerability to Muslim attacks Muslim armies conquered Delhi and enough of northern south Asia to establish Delhi Sultanate in early 13th cent. Delhi sultanate was hard to regulate bc they didn’t organize empire well enough. = MORE DISUNITY IN NORTHERN INDIA! Southeast Asia
Was important since trade routes that went from South Asia to East Asia passed through the region - whoever controlled this trade could profit commodities such as gold, silver, metal goods, textiles, and spices went through this region SOUTHEAST ASIAN MERCHANTS WERE THE FIRST TO CONVERT TO ISLAM BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO BE BESTIES WITH THE MUSLIM TRADERS AND PROFIT OFF OF THEIR FRIENDSHIPS HINDU/BUDDHIST STATES (illustrative examples):
Srivijaya Empire, sea-based in Southeast Asia: they used their navy to block and charge ships that traveled between India and China. This made them prosperous. They were Hindu.
Majapahit Kingdom, sea-based in Southeast Asia: they prospered by controlling trade routes. They were Buddhist.
Khmer Empire, land based in Southeast Asia: they built complex irrigation and drainage systems, which allowed their farmers to harvest crops multiple times a year. Drainage systems lessened monsoon rains’ damage.
Rajput kingdoms, North Indian: they were formed after the fall of the Gupta. The kingdoms warred a lot amongst themselves. This made it impossible to make a centralized government, which made them disunited and vulnerable to Muslim attacks.
Vijayanagara Empire, South Indian: brb
Sukhothai Kingdom, Southeast Asia: They invaded the Khmer Empire and forced the Khmers out in 1431.
