History of the Subcontinent

Timeline of the Major Events

(Part 2)

Objective:
To study the ancient
history of the
subcontinent and
know how we link to
the past and how it
has affected the
modern world.
629 AD: Arrival of Islam in the Subcontinent

The arrival of Islam in the Indian

subcontinent in 629 AD marked
a significant turning point in its
history.

Over the centuries, Muslim

rulers and communities made
substantial contributions to art,
architecture, culture, and the
overall development of the
region.
Trade routes connected the
region to the Middle East,
Central Asia, and beyond,
contributing to a flourishing
economy.
The subcontinent was often
referred to as the "Golden
Bird" due to its economic
prosperity during various
periods of Muslim rule.

Malik bin Dinar, a companion of

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is
believed to have arrived in the
subcontinent in the 7th century.

It is said that he built a mosque

in the western part of the
subcontinent, and some
sources claim that this mosque
still exists, highlighting the early
presence of Islam in the region.
712 AD Ummayad Islamic Rule in the Subcontinent
In the year 712 AD, leaders from a place called
Damascus sent a young general named Muhammad bin
Qasim to take over parts of India. They were from a
group called the Umayyad Caliphate and wanted more
territory. Muhammad bin Qasim, who was just 16 years
old, led the mission to conquer an area known as Sindh.
He succeeded in capturing a city called Debal.
This event marked the start of Islamic rule in
what is now Pakistan and other parts of India.
The Umayyad rule in Sindh had a big impact
on the region's culture and diversity.
 Qasim-era
Umayyad
coinage of Sind
(minted possibly
at Multan), (c.
715 CE)

Despite being a Muslim

conqueror, Muhammad
bin Qasim displayed
relative religious
tolerance. Non-Muslims
Muhammad bin Qasim led were allowed to practice
a successful military their faith, and a system
campaign against the local of taxation was
Hindu ruler Raja Dahir. implemented.
 Ghaznavids 1001 AD
In 1001 AD, a Turkish Muslim dynasty called the
Ghaznavids began near the Indus River. The most
influential ruler of this dynasty was Mahmud of Ghazni.
He became famous for leading 17 invasions against
various Indian territories in the subcontinent.
The Ghaznavids established Lahore as their capital
city, making it an important center during their
rule. Mahmud of Ghazni's military campaigns had a
significant impact on the political landscape of the
Indian subcontinent during that time.
1029 AD Rule of Zainab Tari
In 1029 AD, the rule of Zainab
Tari began in the Indian
subcontinent, and she became
the Queen of Sindh (in modern-
day Pakistan) in 1092 AD.

Zainab Tari is noted as the first

female ruler in the history of
South Asia and the only queen to
have ruled Sindh as an absolute
monarch.

She governed for ten years from

1092 AD and was the daughter of
Soomra King Asamuddin Daula
Soomro of the Soomra Dynasty.
 1157 AD Ghurid Dynasty

In 1157, the Ghurid Dynasty changed from Buddhism to

Islam. They came from Iran. Even though their empire
didn't last long, it set the stage for later Muslim rule in
India.
1206 AD Delhi Sultanate
The Mamluk Dynasty, also
known as the Slave Dynasty,
was the first dynasty of the
Delhi Sultanate. It was
founded by Qutb-ud-din
Aibak after he became the
ruler of Delhi in 1206 AD.
He initiated the
construction of the Qutub
Qutb-ud-din Aibak died in Minar in Delhi, a towering
Qutub-ud-din Aibak, a slave of Muhammad minaret that stands as a
1210 AD at the age of
Ghori, established the Delhi Sultanate in the remarkable example of
around 41. His death Indo-Islamic architecture.
subcontinent around 1206 AD. The Sultanate occurred due to a fall from
endured for over 300 years until the Mughal Although he began its
his horse while he was construction, it was later
Empire took over in 1526 AD after the Battle of
Panipat.
playing a game called completed by his successor,
Chaugan (a form of polo). Iltutmish.
1211 – 1221 AD Genghis Khan
Between 1211 and 1221 AD, Genghis Khan, who started
the Mongol Empire, organized invasions. Even though
Genghis Khan didn't personally invade India, his
successors led campaigns into the region during the
13th-14th centuries. They wanted to get the wealth of
the subcontinent.

Iltutmish, the first Delhi

Sultan to face the Mongol
threat, was clever in
repelling their attacks. His
smart leadership is
praised for keeping India
safe from the Mongol
invasion during that time.
 1236 AD Razia Sultana
In 1236 AD, Razia Sultana Razia was well-educated and
became the fifth Sultan of had a keen interest in learning.
the Delhi Sultanate. She Her father, Sultan Iltutmish,
stands out for being the first recognized her abilities and
female Muslim ruler of the provided her with a strong
Indian subcontinent and the education in various fields.
only female Muslim ruler of
Delhi.

Razia was not just a capable

ruler but also displayed
military skills. She led her
armies with courage and Razia introduced coins with
determination. her name inscribed on them.
 1398 AD Taimur Plunders Lahore
In 1398 AD, Timur
plundered Lahore. He
invaded the subcontinent
with the aim of defeating
Hindu kings and rulers.
Timur, a Mongol and a
descendant of Genghis
Khan, considered Genghis
Khan as his role model.
He was brutal towards his
enemies and destroyed
cities. He took away
enormous wealth, leaving
people poor and helpless.
Timur was known for his
destruction not only of
cities but also of cultural
and religious
monuments.
The invasion had a lasting
impact on Lahore's
economy, trade, and
overall well-being. The
people of Lahore faced
significant hardship, and
the city had to rebuild
after the devastation
caused by Timur's forces.
 1451 AD - 1526 AD Lodhi Sultanate

The Lodhi Ibrahim Lodhi, the last Sultan This marked the end of
Dynasty, an of the Lodhi Dynasty, faced the Lodhi Dynasty and
Afghan dynasty, defeat in 1526 at the Battle of paved the way for the
ruled the Delhi Panipat. rise of the Mughal
Sultanate from Empire in India under
1451 to 1526 AD. Zahir ud-Din Babur.
Glossary:
Substantial: strong; solid; firm; stout Minaret: a slender tower

Term Golden Bird: the rich lands of the Successor: a person or thing that succeeds
subcontinent another.
next in line, heir

Diversity: the state of being diverse; variety. Plundered: steal goods from (a place or person),
typically using force and in a time of war

Endure: remain in existence; last. Devastation: great destruction or damage.