The Indian subcontinent has faced invaders from Central Asia since the days of the Indus Valley civilization. But what made the Turkic invasions of India unique is that, unlike the previous invasions, the Central Asian conquerors retained their Islamic identity and created new legal and administrative systems that challenged and usually in many cases superseded the existing systems of social conduct and ethics, even influencing the non-Muslim rivals and common masses to a large extent.
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This led to the rise of a new Indian culture during the reign of the Delhi Sultanate, which was mixed in nature, making it remarkably different from ancient Indian culture. This factor also played an important role in the synthesis of cultures.Â
The article will analyse some of the achievements that came about as a result of such synthesis. The notes gleaned from this article will be useful in the UPSC Exam.
Development of a new Language: Hindustani
Persian influence was first introduced to the Indian subcontinent by rulers of Turkic and Afghan origin, especially with the Delhi Sultanate from the 13th century, and in the 16th to 19th century by the Mughal Empire. In general, from its earliest days, aspects of the culture and language were brought to the Indian subcontinent by various Persianized Central Asian Turkic and Afghan rulers, such as Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi in the 11th century.
Persian was the official language of the Delhi Sultanate, and their successor states, like the Deccan Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. It was also the cultured language of poetry and literature. Many of the Sultans and nobility in the Sultanate period were Persianised Turks from Central Asia who spoke Turkic languages as their mother tongues.
The Hindustani language (A mix of modern-day Hindi and Urdu) began to emerge in the Delhi Sultanate period, developed from the Middle Indo-Aryan apabhramsha vernaculars of North India. Amir Khusro, who lived in the 13th century AD during the Delhi Sultanate period in North India, used a form of Hindustani, which was the lingua franca of the period, in his writings and referred to it as Hindavi.
Architectural Advances under the Delhi Sultanate
During the Sultanate period, there was a tremendous change in the architectural practices of the subcontinent at large. This period witnessed the growth of Indo-Islamic architecture. This style of architecture was neither purely Islamic or purely Hindu, rather it combined the best elements from both the cultures.
Several factors contributed towards the synthesis of Indian and Central Asian styles. One of those factors was that the Turkic and Afghan rulers employed Indian ‘Craftsmen’, architects and sculptors, who had applied the Indian style of construction into Central Asian buildings.
Besides, there was a nexus between the two styles with regard to the fact that both Indian and Islamic art were inherently decorative. The Hindus adorned their buildings with images of different gods and goddesses, whereas the Muslims decorated them with square, triangular, parallel, rectangular lines, teachings of the Korans inscribed in the Persian script. Thus, the Hindu style of architecture greatly influenced the Islamic style because of these factors and gave birth to this Indo-Islamic architecture.
Art and Culture under Delhi Sultanate – UPSC Notes:- Download PDF Here
Literature under the Delhi Sultanate Period
Turko-Afgan rulers were primarily militaristic in nature, yet some of them took interest in the world of letters and under their patronage, some of the best works of literature were produced during this time period. The court of Delhi Sultans was full of writers, poets, scholars, philosophers, logicians, theologians, lawyers and chroniclers of various backgrounds.Â
The religious reformers and saints wrote, spoke and preached in languages that could be easily understood by the masses. The growth of Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Maithili, Punjabi, Gurumukhi and other provincial literature took place in this age. Ramananda, Kabir, Surdas and Tulsidas preached in Hindi, Mirabai and some other preachers and saints of the Radha-Krishna sect preached in Brij-bhasha.
Frequently Asked Questions about Art and Culture under Delhi Sultanate
Who were some of the famous authors in Hindi Literature under the Delhi Sultanate Period?
Who were some of the famous authors in Hindustani Literature under the Delhi Sultanate Period?
Multiple Choice Question
Consider the following Statements
- Arabic was the official language of the Delhi Sultanate, and their successor states, like the Deccan Sultanate and the Mughal Empire
- The Hindustani language (A mix of modern-day Hindi and Urdu) began to emerge in the Delhi Sultanate period, developed from the Middle Indo-Aryan apabhramsha vernaculars of North India.
- Amir Khusro, who lived in the 13th century AD during the Delhi Sultanate period in North India, used a form of Hindustani, which was the lingua franca of the period
- The Hindu style of architecture greatly influenced Islamic style and gave birth to Indo-Islamic architecture.
Which of the given options is right?
A) Only 1, 2 and 3 true
B) Only 1,3 and 4 true
C) Only 1 and 2 are true
D) Only 2, 3 and 4 are true
Answer: D
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