The Turko-Afghan rule in India lasted for about?
VerifiedAnswer: Three centuries
Explanation:
The Turko-Afghan rule in India spanned approximately three centuries, marking one of the most significant periods in Indian medieval history. This era began with the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate and continued through various dynastic changes until the rise of the Mughal Empire.
The period commenced in the early 13th century when Qutb-ud-din Aibak established the first independent Muslim sultanate in Delhi around 1206 CE. This marked the beginning of systematic Turko-Afghan governance in Northern India, which would continue to expand and evolve over the subsequent centuries.
During these three centuries, several important dynasties ruled under the umbrella of the Delhi Sultanate. The Slave Dynasty (1206-1290) was followed by the Khalji Dynasty (1290-1320), then the Tughlaq Dynasty (1320-1414), the Sayyid Dynasty (1414-1451), and finally the Lodi Dynasty (1451-1526). Each of these dynasties contributed to the political, cultural, and architectural landscape of medieval India.
The Turko-Afghan rule came to an end in 1526 CE with Babur's victory at the First Battle of Panipat, where he defeated Ibrahim Lodi, the last sultan of the Delhi Sultanate. This victory established the Mughal Empire, effectively ending the three-century-long Turko-Afghan dominance in India.
Throughout this extensive period, the Turko-Afghan rulers introduced significant administrative reforms, promoted trade and commerce, and left behind remarkable architectural monuments like the Qutub Minar, Red Fort of Delhi, and various mosques and tombs. They also facilitated cultural exchanges between Central Asian, Persian, and Indian traditions, creating a unique Indo-Islamic synthesis that influenced Indian civilization for centuries to come.
