Muslim Rule and Islamic Culture in the Indian Subcontinent
Chronology and Dynasties
Know the sequence: the Ghaznavid raids (Mahmud of Ghazni, early 11th century), the Ghurid conquest (Muhammad Ghori, battles of Tarain 1191-1192), the Delhi Sultanate (Mamluk/Slave, Khalji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodi), the Vijayanagara and Bahmani states in the Deccan, and the Mughal Empire (Babur 1526, Akbar, Jahangir, Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb). Understand the later decline and the rise of regional powers.
Culture and Administration
Master key figures and policies: Alauddin Khalji's market regulations, Muhammad bin Tughlaq's experiments, Sher Shah Suri's revenue reforms and the Grand Trunk Road, Akbar's Din-i-Ilahi and sulh-i kul (universal peace), and the mansabdari system. Know the development of Urdu, Persianate court culture, and the Bhakti-Sufi interaction.
Traps
A common trap is confusing the Delhi Sultanate dynasties' order, especially placing the Lodi before the Sayyid. Another is attributing the mansabdari system to Akbar alone; it evolved from earlier practices but was systematized under him. Do not confuse the Battle of Panipat (1526) with Tarain (1191-1192).
Rule of Thumb
Anchor a ruler to dynasty and century: Khalji (late 13th), Tughlaq (14th), Mughal (16th-18th). Example: market control and price regulation point to Alauddin Khalji, not to Akbar.