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Analysis: Medieval India

Prelim

YearApprox. No. of Medieval India QsKey Topics / Themes
2025~4 to 5Araghatta irrigation device; Chola’s Srivijaya campaign; Portuguese introductions in India.
2024~3 to 4Permission to Portuguese fort (Bhatkal); regional polity interaction. 
2023~3Gujarat Sultan surrendering Diu; Mongol invasions under Khaljis; numismatics (Fanam)
2022~4 to 5King Dynasty matching; Fanam term; Mongol invasions; Kulah-Darana term 
2021~3 to 4Iqta system & centralization; Barania ordinances; Khalji economic reforms 
2020~2 to 3Khalji agrarian policies; Tughluq agrarian/bureaucratic reforms 
2019~3 to 4Bengal, Gujarat, Bahmani polity; Rajput resistance; irrigation & water systems. 
2018~2Vijayanagara irrigation & socioeconomic systems; Segmentary State debate.
2017~2–3Foreign travellers, accounts (Ibn Battuta, Nuniz); polity/economy of Bahmanis/Vijayanagara।
2016~2 to 3Chola inscriptions (Uttaramerur); early ‘medieval hydrology & irrigation।
2015~3Chola local self ‘government; feudalism; revenue systems; segmentary state।
2014~2 to 3Feudalism debates; Rajput polity weaknesses; Sangam influences (early influences)
2013~2 to 3Sufi literature as sources; Malfuzat, Ibn Battuta, early Sultanate

Mains

In GS Paper 1 (Mains), Ancient India contributes 1 or 2 questions of 10 or 15 marks.

YearNo. of QuestionsTotal MarksTopics Asked
2023115 marksContribution of Gupta & Chola dynasties
2022115 marksGandhara & Mathura art
2021110 marksBhakti saints & social reorientation
2020115 marksGupta numismatics
2019225 marksSangam literature & Gupta science
2018225 marksForeign travelers’ accounts & Puranic literature
2017110 marksMauryan administration vs Gupta
2016225 marksBuddhism’s rise, Harappan features
2015115 marksAshokan inscriptions

Important Topics

High Priority Topics
  1. Delhi Sultanate administration (Iqta, Suba–Sarkar–Paragana, Amil, revenue)
  2. Mongol invasions under Sultanate rulers (Alauddin Khalji, Tughluqs)
  3. Vijayanagara Empire: irrigation projects (e.g. Devaraya I), economic systems
  4. Medieval terminology & numismatics (e.g. Fanam, Kulah-Daran, Araghatta)
  5. Foreign travellers: Nuniz, Ibn Battuta, Portuguese interactions
Medium Priority Topics
  1. Chola naval campaigns (Rajendra I and Srivijaya)
  2. King–dynasty matching (Chalukyas, Chandelas, Hoysalas, etc.)
  3. Regional polity: Bahmani, Gujarat, Vijayanagara–Portuguese relations
  4. Local governance under Cholas (Uttaramerur inscriptions)
Low Priority Topics
  1. Bhakti & Sufi movements (Kabir, Basavanna, Nizamuddin Auliya)
  2. Temple architecture, sculptures, and cultural institutions
  3. Rajput polity and warfare
  4. Historical sources (Malfuzat, Tabaqat-i Nasiri, etc.)
  5. Feudalism and land grants (kulyavapa, dronavapa)