Sources of Medieval India – Detailed Summary | Samacheer Kalvi 7th Social Science | Term 1 History

Sources of Medieval India – Detailed Summary

Book: Samacheer Kalvi 7th Social Science

Term: Term 1

Subject: History

Unit: Unit 1

Lesson Name: Sources of Medieval India

About the Lesson

“Sources of Medieval India” is the first History lesson in the Samacheer Kalvi 7th Social Science Term 1 book. This lesson explains the different types of sources that help us understand the history of medieval India.

Historians reconstruct the past with the help of evidence. These evidences are called sources. In this lesson, students learn about inscriptions, copper plates, monuments, coins, literary works, chronicles, biographies, autobiographies, and travelogues.

Learning Objectives

To understand the meaning of historical sources.
To know the sources used for studying medieval Indian history.
To learn about primary sources and secondary sources.
To understand the importance of inscriptions and copper plates.
To know how monuments help us learn history.
To understand the value of coins as historical sources.
To learn about literary sources such as chronicles, biographies, devotional literature, and travelogues.
To understand the accounts of Arab, Turkish, Italian, Portuguese, and other foreign travellers.

Detailed Summary of the Lesson

1. Meaning of Sources

Sources are materials, documents, records, objects, buildings, inscriptions, coins, or written accounts that help us understand the past.

History cannot be written only from imagination. It needs evidence. So historians depend on sources to reconstruct events, rulers, administration, society, economy, religion, literature, art, and culture.

2. Importance of Sources

Sources help historians know what happened in the past. They give information about kings, wars, administration, taxes, land grants, religion, trade, art, architecture, language, literature, and people’s lives.

Without sources, it is difficult to understand the correct history of any period. So sources are the backbone of historical study.

3. Medieval India

Medieval India refers to the period between ancient and modern Indian history. During this period, many dynasties and kingdoms ruled different parts of India.

The medieval period saw the rise of the Cholas, Delhi Sultanate, Vijayanagar Empire, Bahmani Kingdom, Mughals, Rajputs, and many regional powers. We learn about them through different sources.

4. Classification of Sources

Sources for studying history are broadly classified into two types:

Primary Sources
Secondary Sources

Primary sources are original sources from the period being studied. Secondary sources are later writings or interpretations based on primary sources.

5. Primary Sources

Primary sources are original evidences that belong to the period of study. They directly tell us about the events, people, and conditions of that time.

Important primary sources include inscriptions, copper plates, monuments, coins, temples, mosques, tombs, palaces, forts, and official records.

6. Secondary Sources

Secondary sources are later writings based on primary sources. These are not original records of the period, but they help us understand and interpret history.

Literary sources such as chronicles, travelogues, biographies, autobiographies, and historical books are usually studied as secondary sources.

7. Inscriptions

Inscriptions are writings engraved on solid surfaces such as rocks, stones, temple walls, copper plates, and metals.

They are very important sources because they give direct information about rulers, donations, victories, administration, land grants, taxes, temples, and religious institutions.

8. Importance of Inscriptions

Inscriptions give reliable information because they were engraved during the time of the rulers. They help us understand political, social, religious, and economic conditions.

Temple wall inscriptions and copper plate inscriptions are especially important for studying medieval South Indian history.

9. Copper Plate Grants

Copper plates were used to record royal orders, land grants, donations, and privileges. These copper plates were treated as legal documents.

They contain the names of rulers, donors, receivers, villages, boundaries, taxes, and purposes of donation. Therefore, they have great historical value.

10. Tiruvalangadu Copper Plates

The Tiruvalangadu copper plates are important Chola records. They belong to Rajendra Chola I.

These plates give information about the Chola rulers and their achievements. They are valuable sources for understanding Chola history.

11. Uttiramerur Inscriptions

The Uttiramerur inscriptions are important sources for studying village administration during the Chola period.

These inscriptions provide details about administration in a Brahmadeya village. They are found in Kanchipuram district.

12. Types of Land Grants in Chola Period

Chola inscriptions mention different types of land grants. These land grants help us understand social organization, religion, education, and administration.

Vellanvagai – land of non-Brahmin peasants.
Brahmadeya – land gifted to Brahmins.
Shalabhoga – land for the maintenance of schools.
Devadana – land gifted to temples.
Pallichchandam – land donated to Jaina institutions.

13. Monuments

Monuments are buildings and structures that help us understand the history and culture of the past.

Temples, palaces, mosques, tombs, forts, minars, and minarets are called monuments. They give information about architecture, religion, rulers, art, wealth, technology, and cultural life.

14. Importance of Monuments

Monuments help us understand the artistic and architectural achievements of medieval India.

The style of building, materials used, sculptures, paintings, inscriptions, and designs found in monuments give valuable historical information.

15. Important Medieval Monuments

Medieval monuments are found in different parts of India. They are important sources for understanding religion-centred cultural development.

Khajuraho Monuments – Madhya Pradesh
Konark Temple – Odisha
Dilwara Temple – Rajasthan
Virupaksha Temple – Hampi

16. Mosques and Forts

Mosques and forts are important sources for studying the Delhi Sultanate and other medieval kingdoms.

Arches, domes, and minarets were important architectural features of the Delhi Sultanate period.

17. Coins

Coins are important sources of medieval Indian history. They give information about rulers, economy, trade, religion, language, symbols, and political power.

The metal used in coins helps us understand the economic condition of an empire. Gold and silver coins usually indicate economic prosperity.

18. Importance of Coins

Coins contain the names of rulers, titles, dates, images, symbols, and sometimes religious figures.

They help historians identify rulers, dynasties, trade relations, religious ideas, and the prosperity of a kingdom.

19. Muhammad Ghori’s Coins

Muhammad Ghori stamped the figure of Goddess Lakshmi on his gold coins and inscribed his name on them.

This is an important textbook point because it shows how coins can reveal political and religious features of a period.

20. Tanka and Jital

Coins such as Tanka and Jital were used during the medieval period.

Iltutmish introduced the silver Tanka. A Jital was also an important coin. Forty-eight Jitals were equal to one silver Tanka.

21. Token Currency

Token currency was introduced by Muhammad bin Tughluq.

This point is important because it shows the monetary experiments attempted by medieval rulers.

22. Literary Sources

Literary sources are written works that help us understand history. They include devotional literature, chronicles, biographies, autobiographies, poems, and travelogues.

Literary sources help us learn about administration, religion, society, language, economy, trade, wars, and court life.

23. Devotional Literature

The Chola period was known as the period of devotional literature.

Devotional literature gives information about religion, temple worship, Bhakti movement, language, society, and culture.

24. Tamil Devotional Works

Tamil devotional works are important sources for medieval history.

Devaram – composed by Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar; compiled by Nambiyandar Nambi.
Thiruvasagam – written by Manikkavasakar.
Periyapuranam – composed by Sekkizhar.
Nalayira Divya Prabandham – compiled by Nathamuni.
Kamba Ramayanam – written by Kambar.

25. Other Literary Works

Several literary works help us understand medieval Indian history.

Gita Govindam – written by Jayadeva in the 12th century.
Amuktamalyada – composed by Krishnadevaraya.
Madura Vijayam – composed by Gangadevi.
Rajatarangini – written by Kalhana.
Prithviraj Raso – portrays the valour of Rajput kings.

26. Chronicles

Chronicles are historical writings that record events in chronological order.

They are important for studying medieval courts, rulers, wars, administration, and political events.

27. Important Chronicles

Taj-ul-Ma’asir – written by Hasan Nizami; provides information about the first Sultan of Delhi.
Tabakat-i-Nasiri – written by Minhaj-us-Siraj.
Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi – written by Zia-ud-din Barani.
Ain-i-Akbari – written by Abul Fazl.
Tabakat-i-Akbari – written by Nizam-ud-din Ahmad.
Tarikh-i-Frishta – an important Persian historical work.

28. Minhaj-us-Siraj

Minhaj-us-Siraj was patronised by Sultan Nasir-ud-din Mahmud of the Slave Dynasty.

His writings are important for understanding the early Delhi Sultanate period.

29. Khafi Khan

Khafi Khan was a courtier of Emperor Aurangazeb.

His writings help us understand the Mughal period and political conditions of that time.

30. Travelogues

Travelogues are written accounts of travellers. Foreign travellers visited India during the medieval period and wrote about what they saw.

Travelogues give information about cities, trade, markets, administration, customs, religion, people, food, dress, transport, ports, and social practices.

31. Al-Biruni

Al-Biruni came from Ghazni. He wrote about India and Indian society.

His work is useful for understanding Indian religion, science, customs, and culture.

32. Ibn Battuta

Ibn Battuta was an Arab-born Moroccan scholar and traveller. He travelled from Morocco to India.

His travelogue is called Rihla. It gives information about the Delhi Sultanate, Indian society, caste, travel routes, cities, and court life.

33. Marco Polo

Marco Polo was a traveller from Venice. He visited South India and wrote about the Pandya kingdom.

His account gives useful information about trade, ports, customs, and society. Kayal was an important port city associated with the Pandya region.

34. Nicolo Conti

Nicolo Conti was an Italian traveller. He visited the Vijayanagar Empire in 1420 CE.

His account helps us understand the prosperity and culture of Vijayanagar.

35. Domingo Paes

Domingo Paes was a Portuguese traveller. He visited the Vijayanagar Empire in 1522 CE.

His travel account gives valuable information about Vijayanagar’s markets, wealth, administration, festivals, and people.

36. Why Travel Accounts are Important

Travel accounts are important because travellers observed India from an outside perspective.

They recorded details about people, rulers, trade, ports, temples, roads, customs, social practices, and economy. These accounts support other historical sources.

37. Palm Leaf and Paper Records

During the medieval period, palm leaves and paper were used for writing royal orders and court events.

Since copper was costly, palm leaf and paper became cheaper alternatives for recording information.

38. Importance of Studying Medieval Sources

Studying medieval sources helps us understand the political, social, economic, religious, and cultural life of medieval India.

Each source gives a different kind of information. Inscriptions give official records, coins show economy, monuments show architecture, and literary works show ideas and culture.

Central Idea of the Lesson

The central idea of the lesson is that historical sources are essential for understanding medieval India. Inscriptions, monuments, coins, copper plates, literature, chronicles, and travelogues give valuable information about rulers, administration, society, economy, religion, art, architecture, and culture.

Types of Historical Sources

Type of Source	Meaning	Examples
Primary Sources	Original evidence from the period studied.	Inscriptions, monuments, coins, copper plates, temples, forts.
Secondary Sources	Later writings based on primary sources.	Chronicles, travelogues, biographies, autobiographies, historical books.

Sources of Medieval India – Important Table

Source	What It Tells Us
Inscriptions	Rulers, land grants, administration, donations, taxes, temples, victories.
Copper Plates	Royal orders, gifts, village boundaries, legal records, grants.
Monuments	Architecture, sculpture, religion, art, technology, culture.
Coins	Economy, trade, rulers, symbols, metals, titles, religion.
Literary Sources	Society, religion, court life, literature, language, culture.
Travelogues	Trade, cities, customs, people, markets, ports, administration.

Chola Land Grants

Land Type	Meaning
Vellanvagai	Land of non-Brahmin peasants.
Brahmadeya	Land gifted to Brahmins.
Shalabhoga	Land given for the maintenance of schools.
Devadana	Land gifted to temples.
Pallichchandam	Land donated to Jaina institutions.

Important Monuments

Monument	Place
Khajuraho	Madhya Pradesh
Konark	Odisha
Dilwara	Rajasthan
Virupaksha	Hampi

Important Literary Sources

Work	Author / Compiler	Importance
Devaram	Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar; compiled by Nambiyandar Nambi	Saivite devotional literature.
Thiruvasagam	Manikkavasakar	Devotional work.
Periyapuranam	Sekkizhar	Important Tamil devotional work.
Nalayira Divya Prabandham	Nathamuni	Vaishnavite devotional literature.
Kamba Ramayanam	Kambar	Tamil literary work.
Gita Govindam	Jayadeva	12th century literary work.
Amuktamalyada	Krishnadevaraya	Vijayanagar period literary source.
Madura Vijayam	Gangadevi	Important source for Vijayanagar history.
Rajatarangini	Kalhana	Historical work on Kashmir.

Important Chronicles

Chronicle / Work	Author	Importance
Taj-ul-Ma’asir	Hasan Nizami	Provides information about the first Sultan of Delhi.
Tabakat-i-Nasiri	Minhaj-us-Siraj	Important Delhi Sultanate source.
Tarikh-i-Firoz Shahi	Zia-ud-din Barani	Historical source for Sultanate period.
Ain-i-Akbari	Abul Fazl	Important Mughal administrative source.
Tabakat-i-Akbari	Nizam-ud-din Ahmad	Historical work.
Tarikh-i-Frishta	Frishta	Important Persian historical work.

Important Travellers

Traveller	Place / Origin	Importance
Al-Biruni	Ghazni	Wrote about Indian society, religion, science, and culture.
Ibn Battuta	Morocco	His travelogue Rihla gives information about medieval India.
Marco Polo	Venice	Visited South India and wrote about the Pandya kingdom.
Nicolo Conti	Italy	Visited Vijayanagar Empire in 1420 CE.
Domingo Paes	Portugal	Visited Vijayanagar Empire in 1522 CE.

Coins – Important Points

Coin / Ruler	Important Point
Muhammad Ghori	Stamped Goddess Lakshmi on his gold coins.
Iltutmish	Introduced the silver Tanka.
Jital	Important medieval coin.
48 Jitals	Equal to one silver Tanka.
Token Currency	Introduced by Muhammad bin Tughluq.
Metal Composition	Shows the economic condition of the empire.

Important Exam Points from the Lesson

Topic	Important Point
Inscriptions	Writings engraved on rocks, stones, temple walls, and metals.
Two types of sources	Primary sources and secondary sources.
Primary sources	Inscriptions, monuments, and coins.
Secondary sources	Chronicles, travelogues, biographies, and autobiographies.
Devadana	Land gifted to temples.
Shalabhoga	Land for the maintenance of schools.
Pallichchandam	Land donated to Jaina institutions.
Uttiramerur inscriptions	Give details about Brahmadeya village administration of Cholas.
Tiruvalangadu plates	Belong to Rajendra Chola I.
Chola period	Known as the period of devotional literature.
Taj-ul-Ma’asir	Provides information about the first Sultan of Delhi.
Ibn Battuta	Arab-born Moroccan scholar who travelled to India.
Rihla	Travelogue of Ibn Battuta.
Nicolo Conti	Italian traveller who visited Vijayanagar in 1420 CE.
Domingo Paes	Portuguese traveller who visited Vijayanagar in 1522 CE.
Khajuraho	Madhya Pradesh.
Konark	Odisha.
Dilwara	Rajasthan.
Virupaksha	Hampi.

Vocabulary to Remember

Source – evidence used to study the past
Primary Source – original evidence from the period studied
Secondary Source – later writing based on primary sources
Inscription – writing engraved on stone, rock, temple wall, or metal
Copper Plate – copper record used for royal orders and land grants
Monument – historical building or structure
Coin – metal money used as a historical source
Chronicle – historical record written in order of events
Travelogue – written account of a traveller
Biography – life history of a person written by another person
Autobiography – life history written by the person himself or herself
Devadana – land gifted to temples
Brahmadeya – land gifted to Brahmins
Shalabhoga – land for maintaining schools
Pallichchandam – land donated to Jaina institutions
Minaret – tall tower usually attached to a mosque
Arches – curved architectural structures
Dome – rounded roof structure
Jital – medieval coin
Tanka – silver coin introduced by Iltutmish

TET / Exam Focus Areas

Very Important Focus: These are the most expected textbook-based areas from this lesson.

What are sources?
Name the two types of sources for studying history.
What are primary sources?
What are secondary sources?
What are inscriptions?
What are monuments?
How are coins useful in history?
Name the types of land gifted by Chola kings.
What is Devadana?
What is Shalabhoga?
What is Pallichchandam?
What is the importance of Uttiramerur inscriptions?
What are the main features of Delhi Sultanate architecture?
Who wrote Taj-ul-Ma’asir?
Who was Ibn Battuta?
What is Rihla?
Match monuments with their places.
Write about travellers as sources of medieval history.

Short Answer Questions and Answers

1. What are sources?

Sources are supporting materials, documents, records, or evidence that help us reconstruct the past.

2. Name the two types of sources for the study of history.

The two types of sources are primary sources and secondary sources.

3. What are primary sources?

Primary sources are original evidences from the period studied. Inscriptions, monuments, and coins are primary sources.

4. What are secondary sources?

Secondary sources are later writings based on primary sources. Chronicles, travelogues, biographies, and autobiographies are secondary sources.

5. What are inscriptions?

Inscriptions are writings engraved on rocks, stones, temple walls, and metals.

6. Name the various types of land gifted by Chola kings.

The various types of land gifted by Chola kings were Vellanvagai, Brahmadeya, Shalabhoga, Devadana, and Pallichchandam.

7. What is Devadana?

Devadana was the land gifted to temples.

8. What is Shalabhoga?

Shalabhoga was the land given for the maintenance of schools.

9. What is Pallichchandam?

Pallichchandam was the land donated to Jaina institutions.

10. What are monuments?

Temples, palaces, mosques, tombs, forts, minars, and minarets are called monuments.

11. What are the main features of Delhi Sultanate architecture?

Arches, domes, and minarets are the main features of Delhi Sultanate architecture.

12. What is the importance of coins?

Coins give information about rulers, economy, trade, religion, metals, symbols, and political power.

13. What does the metal composition of coins show?

The composition of metals in coins shows the economic condition of the empire.

14. Who introduced the silver Tanka?

Iltutmish introduced the silver Tanka.

15. Who introduced token currency?

Muhammad bin Tughluq introduced token currency.

16. Which work provides information about the first Sultan of Delhi?

Taj-ul-Ma’asir provides information about the first Sultan of Delhi.

17. Who was Ibn Battuta?

Ibn Battuta was an Arab-born Moroccan scholar and traveller who travelled from Morocco to India.

18. What is Rihla?

Rihla is the travelogue of Ibn Battuta.

19. Who visited Vijayanagar Empire in 1420 CE?

Nicolo Conti, an Italian traveller, visited Vijayanagar Empire in 1420 CE.

20. Who visited Vijayanagar Empire in 1522 CE?

Domingo Paes, a Portuguese traveller, visited Vijayanagar Empire in 1522 CE.

How to Write This in Exam

For a short answer, write the direct definition first. For example, if the question asks “What are inscriptions?”, write that inscriptions are writings engraved on rocks, stones, temple walls, and metals.

For a long answer, divide the answer into headings such as sources, primary sources, secondary sources, inscriptions, monuments, coins, literary sources, chronicles, and travelogues.

Sample Exam Answer

“Sources of Medieval India” is an important History lesson in 7th Social Science. Sources are supporting materials, documents, records, or evidence that help us reconstruct the past. The sources for the study of history are classified into primary sources and secondary sources.

Primary sources are original evidences from the period studied. Inscriptions, monuments, and coins are primary sources. Inscriptions are writings engraved on rocks, stones, temple walls, and metals. Copper plate grants were used as legal records for royal orders and land donations. The Uttiramerur inscriptions give details about village administration during the Chola period.

Monuments such as temples, palaces, mosques, tombs, forts, minars, and minarets are also important sources. They help us understand architecture, religion, art, and culture. Coins give information about rulers, economy, trade, religion, metals, and symbols. The metal composition of coins shows the economic condition of an empire.

Secondary sources include chronicles, travelogues, biographies, and autobiographies. Literary works such as Devaram, Periyapuranam, Nalayira Divya Prabandham, Kamba Ramayanam, Gita Govindam, Amuktamalyada, Madura Vijayam, and Rajatarangini are important sources. Travel accounts of Al-Biruni, Ibn Battuta, Marco Polo, Nicolo Conti, and Domingo Paes help us understand medieval Indian society, trade, administration, and culture.

One Mark Important Points

Sources – Evidence used to reconstruct the past
Types of Sources – Primary and secondary sources
Primary Sources – Inscriptions, monuments, coins
Secondary Sources – Chronicles, travelogues, biographies, autobiographies
Inscriptions – Writings engraved on rocks, stones, temple walls, and metals
Devadana – Land gifted to temples
Shalabhoga – Land for maintenance of schools
Pallichchandam – Land donated to Jaina institutions
Vellanvagai – Land of non-Brahmin peasants
Brahmadeya – Land gifted to Brahmins
Uttiramerur Inscriptions – Details about Chola Brahmadeya village administration
Tiruvalangadu Plates – Belong to Rajendra Chola I
Chola Period – Period of devotional literature
Taj-ul-Ma’asir – Gives information about the first Sultan of Delhi
Hasan Nizami – Author of Taj-ul-Ma’asir
Minhaj-us-Siraj – Patronised by Sultan Nasir-ud-din Mahmud
Ibn Battuta – Moroccan traveller
Rihla – Travelogue of Ibn Battuta
Nicolo Conti – Italian traveller who visited Vijayanagar in 1420 CE
Domingo Paes – Portuguese traveller who visited Vijayanagar in 1522 CE
Khajuraho – Madhya Pradesh
Konark – Odisha
Dilwara – Rajasthan
Virupaksha – Hampi

Short Conclusion

“Sources of Medieval India” teaches us how historians study the past using different kinds of evidence. Inscriptions, copper plates, monuments, coins, literary works, chronicles, biographies, autobiographies, and travelogues are important sources for understanding medieval India. This lesson is important for exams because many direct questions can be asked from inscriptions, monuments, coins, Chola land grants, Uttiramerur inscriptions, devotional literature, Taj-ul-Ma’asir, Ibn Battuta, Nicolo Conti, Domingo Paes, and important monuments.