Reshaping India’s Political Map Class 8 Soial science Chapter 2 CBSE Notes 2025-26

The period covered in this chapter is often known as the later medieval era of Indian history, stretching mainly from the 11th to the 17th centuries. 

This era brought about significant changes in India, especially through foreign invasions and the emergence of powerful dynasties, reshaping regional political boundaries repeatedly. 

Unlike in Europe, where the term ‘medieval’ often refers to a single “dark age,” Indian history in this period saw both turmoil and remarkable creativity.

Over these centuries, several landmark events left their mark on India’s political and cultural landscape. 

Notable milestones include the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate in 1206, the arrival of the Portuguese in India in 1498, and the founding of the Mughal Empire by Babur in 1526. 

Other major battles, such as the Battles of Panipat and Haldighati, and the formation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh, further shaped the subcontinent’s destiny.

• 1206: Delhi Sultanate founded
• 1336: Vijayanagara Empire established in the south
• 1526: Babur wins the First Battle of Panipat, starting Mughal rule
• 1565: The Battle of Talikota – destruction of Vijayanagara
• 1671: Ahoms defeat the Mughals at Saraighat
• 1799: The Sikh Empire is established

As a result of invasions from Central Asia, Turkey, and Afghanistan, new rulers and kingdoms emerged in India. These were not simply political changes—they influenced language, art, architecture, religion, and day-to-day life.

The Delhi Sultanate emerged after the fall of Prithviraj Chauhan in 1192. Ruled by sultans such as the Khaljis, Tughlaqs, and Lodis, the period was marked by frequent battles, changes in leadership, and the sultans’ ambition to expand their territories. 

Some rulers like Ala-ud-din Khilji, who called himself 'the second Alexander,' carried out wide-reaching military campaigns, bringing new regions under Sultanate control and constantly changing the political map.

Under Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the Sultanate witnessed administrative experiments like shifting the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and introducing token currency made from copper. 

While innovative, many of these schemes failed in practice and increased instability. Such events demonstrate both the creativity and the challenges faced by rulers in keeping such a vast empire under control.

Religious policy varied from one ruler to another. Some sultans imposed the ‘jizya’ tax on non-Muslims and showed intolerance, while others were more inclusive. 

Nevertheless, rulers frequently faced resistance from both local chieftains and regional kingdoms, leading to the rise of powerful forts and a cycle of rebellion and accommodation. 

Notable resistance came from Rajput rulers, the Hoysalas in the south, and independent states that broke away from the Sultanate as it weakened.

As the Delhi Sultanate struggled with internal strife and rebellions, strong regional powers like the Vijayanagara Empire emerged in the Deccan. 

Founded by brothers Harihara and Bukka, Vijayanagara grew into a vast and wealthy kingdom, famous for cities such as Hampi, grand temples like the Vitthala temple, and rulers like Krishnadevaraya. 

The empire championed art, literature, and trade, but it eventually fell after defeat in the Battle of Talikota in the mid-16th century.

As the Sultanate declined, Babur—a descendent of Timur and Genghis Khan—invaded India and founded the Mughal Empire. Mughal rulers, especially Akbar, are remembered for their ability to unite large parts of India through a mix of conquest, diplomacy, and religious tolerance. 

Akbar, crowned emperor at thirteen, expanded the empire, included people of various backgrounds in his administration, and reformed the tax and land systems with help from ministers like Todar Mal. The empire reached new levels of cultural and economic prosperity under his reign.

Later Mughal rulers, such as Aurangzeb, faced challenges from within and outside, including regional uprisings, economic pressures, and religious divisions.

Aurangzeb’s stricter religious policies and military campaigns weakened Mughal authority, setting the stage for the rise of new powers.

Throughout these centuries, various groups successfully resisted Delhi and Mughal domination. The Rajputs in Rajasthan, the Ahoms in Assam, and strong local rulers managed to carve out their own regions. 

The Ahom kingdom, for instance, used geography, local militia, and the paik system of administration to withstand Mughal invasions. 

In Punjab, the Sikh community—led first by gurus such as Guru Nanak and later by Guru Gobind Singh—grew in strength and eventually established the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, championing justice, equality, and resistance to oppression.

The Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire developed sophisticated systems of administration and revenue collection. The sultan or emperor was the supreme authority, but a network of ministers and local officials carried out governance.

Akbar is especially remembered for restructuring the administration and introducing a fair and systematic land revenue policy, which funded art, architecture, and a strong military.

Apart from centralized empires, many independent states and local rulers developed their own administrative styles, often influenced by the needs and customs of their region. Many rulers encouraged scholarship, chronicling, and the building of enduring public works.

Ordinary people lived through profound changes in this era. Agriculture remained the backbone of the economy; innovative irrigation methods, such as the Persian wheel, were introduced. 

Over time, trade and craft production expanded. Markets thrived, and commercial systems like hundis (early bills of exchange) made trade easier across long distances. Temples and fortresses sometimes served as economic hubs as well as religious or military centres.

• Farming was the main livelihood, but economic conditions for most peasants were hard.
• Art and culture—such as architecture, music, and miniature painting—flourished under royal patronage.
• Trade brought new goods and ideas, linking India with distant lands.

Throughout political upheavals, Indian society showed a constant ability to adapt, blending new influences with local traditions and building a resilient cultural fabric.

The reshaping of India’s political map during the later medieval period was shaped by the rise and fall of empires, regional assertions, social changes, and the creativity of its people. Despite political instability and hardships, this age was also a time when Indian art, culture, and learning blossomed, leaving a rich legacy that endures today.

• Foreign invasions and the emergence of new dynasties shaped the boundaries and history of India.
• Instances of both religious tolerance and intolerance occurred during this time.
• Agriculture and trade expanded, but most common people faced economic hardships.
• Indian society showed resilience and adaptability, contributing to the flourishing of art and culture.

CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 2 Notes – Tapestry of the Past 2: Reshaping India’s Political Map

These Class 8 Social Science Chapter 2 notes cover the key events, dynasties, and socio-economic changes during a transformative period in Indian history. With clear points, timelines, and important facts, students can revise the rise of the Delhi Sultanate, Mughals, Vijayanagara, and more with ease.

These revision notes help learners quickly identify chapter highlights, compare rulers and kingdoms, and recall crucial terms like ‘jizya’ and ‘paik system’. They are structured for quick revision and better understanding for board exams and school tests.